Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Music
Curriculum Theme: Harmony and Chord Theory
Previous Lesson: Modulation: Meaning, Types and Pivot-Chord.
Topic: The Dominant 7th Chord (V7)
Subject Matter: Meaning of dominant 7th chord (V7 chord built on the dominant with an added 7th), discord chord (tension note needing resolution), handling the dominant 7th chord (preparation and resolution), harmonizing short melodies using primary triads secondary triads and V7 chords, identifying a dominant 7th chord in a musical score.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define the Dominant 7th chord (V7).
Explain the concept of a discord chord and its function.
Describe how to prepare and resolve a Dominant 7th chord.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the role of the Dominant 7th chord in creating harmonic tension and resolution.
Develop an interest in analyzing chord progressions in musical pieces.

Psychomotor Domain:

Harmonize short melodies using primary, secondary, and Dominant 7th chords.
Identify a Dominant 7th chord in a given musical score.

Participate actively in group exercises on harmonizing melodies.
Collaborate with peers to identify chords in musical examples.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Oxford Secondary Music for Senior Secondary Schools Book 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Keyboard
Chord chart
Printed musical scores
Manuscript paper

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand a fundamental chord in functional harmony, the Dominant 7th chord. Understanding this chord is important for composing, analyzing, and appreciating music, as it creates harmonic movement and resolution.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have prior knowledge of major and minor scales, intervals, primary and secondary triads, and basic chord formation.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Dominant 7th Chord (V7)

Meaning of Dominant 7th Chord (V7)

The Dominant 7th chord (V7) is a four-note chord built on the fifth degree (dominant) of a scale. It consists of a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh above the root. For example, in C major, the dominant is G, so the V7 chord is G-B-D-F.

Discord Chord

A discord chord contains one or more notes that create tension and a sense of instability, requiring resolution to a more stable, consonant chord. In the V7 chord, the minor seventh (e.g., F in G7) is the main discord note. This tension drives the music forward towards resolution, typically to the tonic (I) chord.

Handling the Dominant 7th Chord

Handling the Dominant 7th chord involves two main aspects: preparation and resolution.

Preparation: This refers to how the discord note (the 7th) is introduced. Ideally, the 7th should be present as a consonant note in the preceding chord, or approached by step.
Resolution: This refers to how the discord note moves to a consonant note in the subsequent chord. The 7th of the V7 chord typically resolves downwards by step into a note of the tonic (I) chord. For example, in G7 (G-B-D-F) resolving to C major (C-E-G), the F (the 7th) resolves down to E.

Harmonizing Melodies with V7 Chords

When harmonizing short melodies, the V7 chord is used to create tension before a cadence, leading strongly to the tonic. It is often used with primary (I, IV, V) and secondary (ii, iii, vi) triads. Considerations include:

Using V7 before the tonic (I) chord for a strong progression.
Ensuring proper voice leading, especially for the 7th, which must resolve downwards.
Maintaining smooth melodic lines in each voice.

Identifying Dominant 7th Chords in a Musical Score

To identify a Dominant 7th chord in a musical score, look for a four-note chord built on the fifth degree of the prevailing key. The chord will typically contain a major triad and a minor seventh above the root. For example, in the key of D major, the dominant 7th chord would be A-C#-E-G.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on primary and secondary triads. The teacher then plays a Dominant 7th chord on the keyboard, asking pupils to describe its sound.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greetings, recall previous knowledge, and describe the tense or dissonant sound of the chord.
Learning Point: Pupils connect prior knowledge to the new topic and perceive the characteristic sound of the Dominant 7th chord.

Step 2: Explanation of Dominant 7th Chord (V7)

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines the Dominant 7th chord, explaining its formation (root, M3, P5, m7) on the dominant degree of a scale, using examples on the keyboard and chord chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the keyboard demonstrations, and take notes on the definition and formation of the V7 chord.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the structure and formation of the Dominant 7th chord.

Step 3: Understanding Discord and Resolution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a discord chord is, specifically identifying the minor 7th as the dissonant note in the V7 chord that creates tension. The teacher demonstrates how this tension leads to a need for resolution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils grasp the concept of discord and its role in music, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand why the V7 chord sounds tense and requires resolution.

Step 4: Handling the Dominant 7th Chord (Preparation and Resolution)

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the rules for preparing and resolving the Dominant 7th chord, showing examples on the keyboard and manuscript paper. Emphasis is placed on the downward resolution of the 7th.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstrations, practice the voice leading on manuscript paper, and internalize the rules for handling V7 chords.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the practical application of preparation and resolution for the Dominant 7th chord.

Step 5: Harmonizing Short Melodies with V7 Chords

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides short melodies and guides pupils to harmonize them using primary, secondary, and V7 chords. The teacher assists pupils with chord choices and voice leading.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to harmonize the given melodies on manuscript paper, applying the learned concepts, and seeking guidance when needed.
Learning Point: Pupils develop practical skills in harmonizing melodies with the inclusion of Dominant 7th chords.

Step 6: Identifying Dominant 7th Chords in a Musical Score

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents printed musical scores containing Dominant 7th chords and guides pupils to identify them by analyzing the notes and their relationship to the key.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully examine the musical scores and identify Dominant 7th chords, explaining their reasoning.
Learning Point: Pupils can visually recognize Dominant 7th chords in written music.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is a Dominant 7th chord?
Which note in a V7 chord typically creates discord?
Explain how the 7th of a V7 chord typically resolves.
Harmonize a simple two-bar phrase ending with a V7-I progression in C major.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key learning points about the Dominant 7th chord, its formation, handling, and importance in harmony. The teacher assigns homework to analyze a short piece of music for V7 chords.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are given tasks to reinforce learning.

Lesson Keywords

Dominant 7th Chord – A four-note chord built on the fifth degree of a scale, consisting of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Discord Chord – A chord containing notes that create tension and a feeling of instability, requiring resolution.
Preparation – The manner in which a dissonant note is introduced, often by being present in the preceding chord.
Resolution – The movement of a dissonant note to a consonant note, typically by step.
V7 – The Roman numeral notation for the Dominant 7th chord.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can provide more complex melodies for harmonization or ask them to analyze more intricate musical excerpts. For pupils needing extra support, the teacher can provide simpler examples, one-on-one guidance, and focus on identifying the chord before moving to harmonization.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils have a solid understanding of basic triads before introducing the Dominant 7th chord. Use plenty of practical demonstrations on the keyboard to illustrate the sound and tension of the chord. Encourage active participation and provide constructive feedback during harmonization exercises.