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Curriculum Area
Developed By
Grade Level
9-12
Music Theory
Time Frame
Stephen Castaneda
Understandings
Overarching Understanding
Students will be able to apply their knowledge of chord structure to learning
the music to pop songs. (Cognitive)
As a result of this lesson students will realize that the concepts taught in
theory are relevant to the music they listen to everyday. This enables them
to appreciate the concepts taught in class. (Constructivist)
Related Misconceptions
Music theory is not relevant to the music students listen to on an
everyday basis. Music theory can only be applied to classical music.
Diminished and Augmented chords are used only in classical music.
Essential Questions
Overarching
Topical
(Focusing Question)
Knowledge
Skills
By the end of this class, students in the music theory class, will be able to
perform a pop song of their choice that uses major, minor, augmented, or
diminished chords with a success rate of 80%.
Students are given the opportunity to pick their own song of which they will arrange and perform to their stylistic choosing.
Students work will meet the national benchmarks of the National Core Music Standards for creating, responding, performing,
and connecting.
Other Evidence
Teacher will begin by facilitating a discussion about chords. Students will partner up to answer
the questions. The questions are designed to inspire students to begin to apply the principles
learned in theory to some of their favorite songs. The goal is to teach students how to create
major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords to aid them with performing one of their
favorite songs by the end of the class.
Teacher tells students that no matter how complicated or simple their favorite song is they all
start with chords. Teacher will explain that chords are the fundamental building blocks of
songs. Students will partner up and answer the following questions: What are chords? How
are they made? What are some of your favorite songs? Is there anything special about the
chords used in this song? Students will share their answers with the class (Partner and
Present Section of the Class)
Students will get into partners. They will go to the website guitartab.com and pick a song from
the database of songs that includes thousands of pop songs. The website gives the chords and
chord symbols for the songs. Students will use their midi keyboards and Garageband sounds to
play the chords. They are encouraged to use any sound of their choice for the performance.
Students with more piano playing experience will be challenged to add or use a song with a
diminished or augmented chord. One student will be asked to play while the other sings the
song. Students will be taught how to read chord symbols before they start. (Personalize)
Integration of technology - Garageband. Students are able to pick their own songs that are
familiar to them.
Lesson plan honors the tenets of Critical Pedagogy for Music Education: Partner, Present,
Personalize and Perform.