THROUGH THE

DEAD WOOD
a 6th grade music lesson
with Shannon and Caitlin

Through this lesson, students will recognize expressive elements (such as

dynamics, timbre, blending, and phrasing) of music (6.ML.1.3) ...[and] produce
short rhythmic improvisations using a variety of traditional and nontraditional
sound sources (6.ML.3.1).
Students will also analyze content for relevance to the assigned task (6.SI.1.2).

MUSICAL ELEMENTS

STEADY BEAT: an underlying beat that keeps the rhythm

TEMPO: the speed of the music (fastness or slowness)

DYNAMICS: the degree of intensity (loudness or softness) in a

piece of music

TEXTURE: how thick or thin the combination of

instruments or relationship between the pitches and rhythms

TIMBRE: the distinctive quality of sound that distinguishes one

instrument or voice from another

THROUGH THE DEAD WOOD | Songs of Water

REFLECTION & ANALYSIS

What is a steady beat?

What is tempo?
In your opinion, do you
think tempo can be
determined by the steady
beat?
How would you describe
musical dynamics?
How would you describe
musical texture?
What is timbre?

Is there a steady beat in

this song?
Whats the tempo of this
piece?
Describe the dynamics.
What is the texture of this
piece?
What are some examples
of timbre in the song?
What instruments do you
hear? How many?

YOUR TURN
If you want to explore musical analysis further, here are some activities you can try:

ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION

ORIGINAL POLYRHYTHM

Choosing one (or a few) of the terms

we discussed during this activity to
focus on, students can have the
opportunity to create an artistic
composition.
Create a drawing using the materials
provided to give your own visual
interpretation of Songs of Waters
Through the Dead Wood.

Polyrhythm is multiple rhythms

layered to create a textured sound,
which is what we heard in the lesson
today.
Based on Songs of Waters Through
the Dead Wood. small groups can
create their own polyrhythmic
compositions using body percussion
and sounds found in the classroom.

We will loop the song in the

background upon request.

Make sure there is a steady beat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMUIKPFub1s&index=7&list=PLPx8QrdV9yxCiobeRJyKsMsePJbzzARGl

THANK YOU
Caitlin Swick and Shannon Burns