Brandon Morris

Jesse Rathgeber

MUED 206: Instrumental Methods

9/25/18

Note and Scale Guessing Game Instruction Plan

I) Rationale
- The purpose of this activity is to help engage students by using their visual skills of
reading music to correspond with actively playing the note or scale that they are
guessing on the chalkboard. This is something fantastic to do with beginner players on
these string instruments because it gets them interacted with remembering how to play
the notes and scales that are requested during the game. I would recommend doing this
game after the student learns how to play the notes and scales being tested, and have
them mastered to the point where a fun assessment can be given to help them
familiarize themselves with the fingering.

II) Understanding Statements

- By the end of the fun activity, students should be able to play given notes and scales to
play on their instrument and be able to memorize finger patterns when playing each note
requested.

III) “I can” Statements

- “I can” read and interpret standard music notation while performing music of varying
styles
- “I can” perform simple rhythmic and melodic examples in call-and-response styles

IV) Materials
- A piece of chalk to draw notes
- A chalkboard to draw the notes on
- A tuning fork to give pitches aurally
V) Detailed Process
- Start with an introduction of myself and an explanation of how the game works (1-2
minutes)
- Then, do an example round so students know how the game is played and have
students from two teams (1-1.5 minutes)
- Play first and second round where I draw notes and scales on board and they pluck/play
it back to me (1 minute)
- Play final round where I give pitches aurally via tuning fork and they play those notes
back to me (1 minute)
- Conclude game and congratulate everyone on a job well done (15-30 seconds)

VI) Assessments
- Assessing students how to read in Alto Clef, which is what viola players use
- Assessing students to play a given pitch either on the chalkboard or aurally

VII) Adaptation
- Color: Showing visual examples of how I would assess students in this game
- Shape/Size: If something isn’t explained well to a student, will repeat/change the
wording to enhance it better
- Pacing: Keeping an eye on the clock and notes to make sure everything is said within a
time period
- Modality: Being very open and passionate when needed towards a concept

VIII) Extension
- If I finish a little bit early, I’ll add another round with aurally giving scales and having the
teams play those scales back on their instruments for a bonus challenge.