Improvisation Mini Project

Using the rhythm of this rhyme, I would create a lesson involving a melodic

improvisation activity. This lesson would include all of the students obtaining a

xylophone from the class and playing a do based hexatonic scale. The rhythms used

would be Ta-di-mi Ta-di Ta-di-mi Ta, Ta-di-mi Ta-di-mi Ta-di Ta. I would use this

lesson for 4th Grade because at that point they should have already experienced

hexatonic scales and this grade is when they will be introduced to the rhythms used

in my poem.

I will start by instructing the students to play the rhyme on a single pitch and

slowly let them add all the pitches back in as we go. After three of the pitches are

added in, I will instruct them that every time we end, we have to play those three

notes in descending order on the last three words. After all of the notes have been

added back in, they will start the passage by playing those same three notes in

ascending order on the first three words. After adding each pitch back in, I will go

over the instructions and the expectations each time and allow them practice time

to ensure success for those that are struggling. If they are still struggling, I can

loosen the rules for them by allowing them to play what they want at the beginning

as long as they play he ending three notes. If that is still a struggle then I will take

away some of the required notes so that they start by playing the same note as

everyone else but then they can have the freedom to play what they want, etc. For
those that excel in this area, I could give them an extra job by saying that aside from

the start and end, they have to play in scalar motion or they have to play in

arpeggios. This will give them more of an opportunity to be challenged. The

variation in this activity will allow students to succeed because the parameters are

well within their grade level, but also the lesson provides opportunities to access the

strengths of each student because all students vary in knowledge and skill.