Transcript Making Musical Masterpieces #4

Making Musical Masterpieces

By Paul Provencio,
Townsend Elementary
Making Music Masterpieces - Reading
When he was in his early teens, Johannes
Brahms had a job playing piano in a tavern
in Hamburg, Germany. That may have
been his first experience lulling people to
sleep. He was the composer of “Lullaby
and Goodnight,” which is also known as
“Brahms’ Lullaby.” Brahms himself did
not sleep like a baby-he was known to
snore!
Making Music Masterpieces - Questions
What is your favorite lullaby or nighttime music?
Can you remember the words? Write down the lyrics in your
journal.
The lines below represent the melody of “Lullaby and
Goodnight.” Can you make up some words to go with “Lullaby
and Goodnight?” This melody has four phrases.
Making Music Masterpieces Teacher’s Page
General Tips for success:
First let class read silently. Then read out loud as class. Brain-storm to find out their
schema and stimulate ideas. Repetition of key words or phrases is an important lyric
writing technique.
When singing, making it up as you go: think about melodies that go high and low, fast
and slow, in steps or skips, loud and soft to create interest. Don’t worry about
sounding like Pavarotti. God gave you a voice, you give it right back. Don’t worry if
your voice won’t do what you want at first. Keep trying until your voice listens to
you. You’re the boss. Tell your voice you want to sing. Have fun and don’t take
yourself too seriously. Laugh and look like your having fun. Kids will follow.
Work in structured cooperative learning groups to create a classroom song. Each
group creating a variation on a theme or different part of the song. Perform.
Activity notes
4
Making Music Masterpieces Teacher’s Page
Activity 4
Process: Brainstorm a list of childhood songs. Pick one to write
out. Teacher and class hum “Lullaby and Goodnight” while
following along on chart with pointer. Teacher makes up
example for class, singing:
Purple cow, you know how, to make me a laughing stock.
Don’t you know, where to go, flying over the neighborhood.
Starry night, on your flight, visit me in my dreams,
Starry night, on your flight, floating down on moonbeams.
Make lyrics up as a class and then in groups.