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Are You Listening?

© Deborah Jeter

When presenting a listening lesson, it is always best to point out certain elements or instruments for the inexperienced listener on which to focus. One of the best ways that I have found to keep younger children actively listening is to promise an opportunity to play an instrument for the first raised hand that correctly identifies the particular element that I have specified.

When presenting music listening lessons, many teachers make the mistake of insisting that each composition be played in its entirety. Young children often have short attention spans and may enjoy short compostions, or just sections of compositions when they are introduced to the art of listening to music.

Beginning lessons -

1. Discover the mood in general terms.

2. Discover sounds that are high and low.

3. Discover sounds that are slow and fast.

4. Discover sounds that grow in loudness and decrease in softness.

5. Discover sounds that are choppy and smooth.

6. Discover the instrumentation.

7. Allow the children to sing thematic melodies on "la".

Some of my student's most favorite listening lessons are as follows:

Camille Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre"

Peter Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite"

Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"

Scott Joplin's "Treemonisha"

Paul Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Magic Flute"

In this week's article I will present some lesson plan ideas through sources found on the Internet as well as personal resources that I have used from my own collection.

The following excerpt is in regard to Carnival of the Animals, which is another children's favorite: "It is ironic that the most famous piece written by French composer Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) was his musical joke, 'Le Carnaval des animaux: Grande fantaisie zoologique' 'The Carnival of the Animals.' Ironic because, except for the section called 'Le Cygne' or 'The Swan,' he withdrew the piece after just a few performances and wouldn't allow it to be published until after his death. He evidently didn't want this auditory burlesque to interfere with his reputation as a serious composer."

Even though my students and I enjoy his "lighter," more humorous pieces, it's true that there's much more to Saint-Saens than pianists in a zoo and macabre melodies for Halloween. Give him a chance to show he's serious, too.

This link offers information on ordering classical music from Classic's World.

Other Links of Interest

Here are some Listening Resources plus some helpful teaching tidbits for your music appreciation lessons.

What to Listen for in Music by Dr. Michael Broyles. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., offers this ARTSEDGE by Dr. Michael Broyles, distinguished professor of music at Pennsylvania State University as he shares his knowledge and understanding of Classic and Romantic music in a six part lecture series entitled "What to Listen for in Music".