9th+Grade+Band+-+Dynamics

Standards: - Performing: Analyze, Rehearse, Evaluate & Refine, Present - Responding: Analyze, Evaluate

Focus: Dynamics

Objectives: Students will be able to play Loch Lomond with a more precise interpretation of the dynamics presented in the piece.

Materials: Whiteboard, Marker, score/music for Loch Lomond by Frank Ticheli Assessment (Informal, formative): Students will be assessed through teacher feedback after repetitions of sections of the piece.

Sequence: - Draw dynamics diagram up on the board before class (Crescendo with numbers 1-10 underneath it.) - Have students play their interpretation of mezzo forte on a concert F. - Adjust their volume until their interpretation of mf matches yours. - Write mezzo forte underneath the 5 written on your diagram. - Ask students: "What number would a fortissimo be?" (10), "What number would a pianissimo be?" (1). - Fill in the rest of the dynamics in a similar manner. - If student understanding is satisfactory, you can choose to skip this assessment and write the dynamics on the board yourself to maintain pacing. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- Inform students that using this method allows us to be more specific with our dynamics in the pieces that we play. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- Hold up numbers on your hand and inform students to follow the dynamics you are showing them on a concert F. Start simple and predictably and gradually increase the challenge by skipping to random numbers instead of following a predictable sequence. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- Apply this to Loch Lomond by assigning numbers to dynamics represented in the piece. Complete this score preparation prior to teaching the lesson. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- Work through the piece adjusting dynamics and giving feedback on how students should adjust their playing.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Further use: apply this method to further pieces as needed. Mastery of this technique can lead to a greater sense of understanding of dynamic contrast and balance within the ensemble.