Introduction to Music Reading and Writing
In this integrated music theory, reading, and writing class, students will learn to read music on treble and bass clefs and practice those skills with group games and activities
Heather Kirkconnell
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(288)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
40 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Homework offered will include review of slides done in class, Kahoot! review games, and worksheets that reinforce notes and concepts we're learning in class. Homework is not required but any completed homework or projects students want to turn into me will be assessed.Assessment
Kahoot! or other games help me to assess student learning and prepare for future classes. I encourage a lot of student participation in class which helps me keep a read on what the strengths and needs are in each section and for each learner. As in all my classes, learners are encouraged to participate but not required to, and I am available to help learners through different means: private chats, messages between classes, and booking occasional private classes.Class Experience
This class is a practical application to music reading; we will sing, play, write and create music as we learn about different keys, notes, scales, and chords. Your learner does not need to know any of the material from a previous week to join, and everything will repeat eventually. What we learn we will immediately begin applying that day through games. Although the skill of music reading and writing build on themselves, this class will support students who join at any point, and will help them build their reading and writing skills through different games, writing, singing, and playing activities throughout the year. Students are encouraged to bring their own topic ideas for future classes, as the subjects listed here are a backdrop that support broad learning and exploration in music reading, writing, and understanding Every week, we will loosely organize our time like this: 10-20 mins: Introduction to subject: I'll demonstrate and teach the main subject areas for that week using slides, clapping and rhythmic practice, singing, and playing on my instrument 20-30 mins: Games, playing, and activities to practice the reading and rhythms for the week Many weeks there is an optional 'take-home' slide presentation or other activity to reinforce or review what we did together in class. Week of Sept 2 Important Notes in G major-DO, SO, the tonic and dominant Week of Sept 9 G Major Bingo Week of Sept 16 Write a song in G major Week of Sept 23 DO, SO, and FA: The Tonic, Dominant, and Subdominant Week of Sept 30 Sharps and transitioning from G major to B major (our October key) Every month, we will study a different key and kinds of rhythm patterns (beginning in June 2024 this change will begin): June: C Major, Triple meter July: Eb Major, Duple meter August: Bb Major, Triple meter September: G Major, Duple meter October: B Major, Triple meter November: D Major, Duple meter December: Db Major, Triple meter January: E Major, Duple meter February: A Major, Triple meter March: Ab Major, Duple meter April: F# Major, Triple meter May: F Major, Duple meter We will practice DO and LA-based solfège while also learning the note names for different lines and spaces on the staff. Students who follow this course will learn the tonic, dominant, and (occasionally) subdominant patterns and notes for all twelve major keys.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to connect tonic-dominant music patterns to the written scoreStudents will learn tonal patterns through solfège
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students may need help to turn off background noise filters through Zoom, as this can interfere with sharing their music.
Please note we may use these outside resources in this class:
Musescore.org (a free music engraving program for writing your own music)
Kahoot!
Canva slides or whiteboard in class
Padlet
Supply List
Free, blank sheet music printed out (provided in the classroom) A device/way to play Kahoot! or use other resources (see External Resources section)
Language of Instruction
English
Joined November, 2020
5.0
288reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor’s of Music in Performance, Oberlin Conservatory, USA
Diplôme de Perfectionnement, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles, France
15+ years working, performing, and teaching piano, general music, choir, and organ all over the world
As a professional musician and a mom, I put a high value on exposing children to music in fun, uplifting, and creative ways. I particularly enjoy introducing music in ways that support and affirm a student's own innate musical understanding, and help bring that out from the start. I believe in whole child education, understanding that a learner brings their whole self to the lesson, and that my role is to affirm and support their WHOLE self. My ACE Educator workshops focused on different ways to engage the whole child-whether cultural, emotional/SEL, neurodiversity, or other difference, I care about your learner having the best possible introduction to music.
My own musical training included studies overseas, where exposure to a different culture surrounding musical education broadened my own training and goals in teaching beginning students to play. Although I have an affinity for starting students off right as beginners, I have worked with music students of all ages and levels, and value the changing needs and goals when helping intermediate or advanced musicians grow and hone their skills. When I'm not making music and teaching, I'm probably knitting and designing unique knitwear and clothes to wear and gift :-) I also enjoy pottery, painting, and sewing, to name a few things.
Studio policies:
All my classes are currently autoposting recordings. If there's ever a safety reason for a recording to not be posted, you will not be able to view it. If you miss a class, you are encouraged to watch these recordings. I follow all of Outschool's policies regarding refunds and make-up classes.
If you are taking private classes with me, I will always wait at least 20 minutes before closing the section. I otherwise follow the same refund and absence policies as set forth by Outschool: students must be logged in by 10 minutes after the start of class. Given the nature of the classes I teach, I will not teach to an empty classroom, but practice videos will be available when the class listing calls for it.
Many parents are curious about where to start their learners. Here's a quick rundown/sample course of studies:
Younger beginners 3-5:
Ready for Piano->Introduction to Piano and Music Book A, Book B, Then begin Book 1
5-7 Year Olds: Start directly in Book B
Older beginners (8 and up): Beginning Piano Lessons, Book 1. For those who prefer an ongoing course offering, I now offer a class called Piano Level 1, where we cover some of the same materials in Beginning Piano Lessons, but with more abstract concepts of music theory and improvisation. It still includes a lot of fun games, however! :)Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
40 min
Completed by 34 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-7 learners per class
