Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Music
Curriculum Theme: Music Theory / Practical Music
Previous Lesson: Diatonic Intervals: Meaning, Pitch and Inverted Intervals.
Topic: Sight reading (observation of musical terms, abbreviations and symbols). Dynamic signs, abbreviations and symbols.
Subject Matter: Meaning of sight reading (reading and performing music at first sight), musical terms abbreviations and symbols (common markings in scores), dynamic signs (pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff), abbreviations and symbols (repeat signs, D.C., D.S., cresc., dim.), reading music in close scores and open scores.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define sight reading.
Identify common dynamic signs in musical scores.
Explain the meaning of various musical abbreviations and symbols.
Differentiate between close scores and open scores.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of observing musical markings for expressive performance.
Develop interest in accurately interpreting musical scores.

Psychomotor Domain:

Read a simple piece of music, applying correct dynamic changes.
Apply the understanding of abbreviations and symbols when reading musical excerpts.

Collaborate with peers in reading and performing short musical phrases with correct interpretation.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
A Comprehensive Music Textbook for Senior Secondary Schools

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Printed scores (close and open)
Dynamics chart
Keyboard
Metronome

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand and apply musical terms and symbols, which are essential for interpreting and performing music accurately. It enables them to read and perform new music effectively, leading to more expressive and informed musical participation.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of basic music notation, including pitch, rhythm, and time signatures.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Sight Reading and Musical Markings

Meaning of Sight Reading

Sight reading is the ability to read and perform a piece of music accurately and expressively for the first time, without prior practice. It requires understanding all musical markings quickly.

Musical Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols

These are common markings in musical scores that provide instructions to the performer regarding dynamics, tempo, articulation, and other expressive elements. They help in interpreting the composer’s intentions.

Dynamic Signs

Dynamic signs indicate the loudness or softness of the music. They are often written as Italian abbreviations and are crucial for expressive performance.

pp (pianissimo) – very soft
p (piano) – soft
mp (mezzo piano) – moderately soft
mf (mezzo forte) – moderately loud
f (forte) – loud
ff (fortissimo) – very loud

Common Abbreviations and Symbols

These markings provide instructions for repetition, navigating the score, or gradual changes in dynamics, helping to structure the performance.

Repeat Signs (:||) – Indicates that a section of music should be played again.
D.C. (Da Capo) – Means “from the beginning.” The performer should go back to the start of the piece and play to a specified end (often “Fine”).
D.S. (Dal Segno) – Means “from the sign.” The performer should go back to the Segno sign (𝄋) and play to a specified end.
cresc. (crescendo) – Gradually getting louder. Represented by the symbol <.
dim. (diminuendo) – Gradually getting softer. Represented by the symbol >.

Reading Music in Close and Open Scores

Scores are arrangements of musical parts for different instruments or voices, showing how different parts interact.

Close Score: This is when all the parts for different voices or instruments are written on two staves, usually in keyboard music or for SATB choir parts condensed onto two staves.
Open Score: This is when each voice or instrument part is written on its own separate staff. This allows for clearer reading of individual parts, especially in orchestral, band, or detailed choral music.

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 asks them how they know when to play music loud or soft, or when to repeat a section.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning some musical signs they know or express curiosity about how to interpret these instructions.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and its relevance.

Step 2: Meaning of Sight Reading

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of sight reading as reading and performing music at first sight without prior practice.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and define sight reading in their own words.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of sight reading.

Step 3: Musical Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces various musical terms, abbreviations, and symbols, explaining their general purpose as common markings in scores. The teacher uses a dynamics chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart and identify different markings, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize the variety and purpose of musical markings.

Step 4: Dynamic Signs

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains common dynamic signs (pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff) using the dynamics chart and demonstrates how they affect performance by playing/singing short phrases on the keyboard.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the demonstrations, and try to sing/clap a simple rhythm applying different dynamic levels.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can interpret dynamic signs.

Step 5: Other Abbreviations and Symbols

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains other common abbreviations and symbols such as repeat signs, D.C., D.S., cresc., and dim., showing examples on printed scores.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify these symbols on the scores and explain their meanings.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the function of various musical abbreviations and symbols.

Step 6: Reading Close and Open Scores

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to read music written in both close and open scores, first by clapping the rhythm, then by singing or playing simple melodies while observing the markings.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in clapping rhythms and singing/playing short excerpts from close and open scores.
Learning Point: Pupils gain practical experience in reading different score types.

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 sight reading?
Mention three dynamic signs and their meanings.
Explain the meaning of ‘D.C.’ and ‘cresc.’.
Differentiate between a close score and an open score.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding musical markings for effective performance. The teacher assigns pupils to find and bring examples of close and open scores from home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and note the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further exploration.

Lesson Keywords

Sight reading – performing music at first sight without practice.
Dynamics – the loudness or softness of music.
Abbreviation – a shortened form of a musical term.
Symbol – a visual mark conveying a musical instruction.
Close score – music where all parts are written on two staves.
Open score – music where each part is written on its own staff.
pp (pianissimo) – very soft.
f (forte) – loud.
D.C. (Da Capo) – from the beginning.
cresc. (crescendo) – gradually getting louder.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can provide more complex scores to interpret or challenge them to conduct a small group performance. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simpler melodic lines with fewer markings and offer one-on-one guidance during practical reading sessions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a variety of musical examples are available for demonstration and pupil practice. Encourage pupils to not only identify but also physically or vocally demonstrate the meaning of each dynamic sign and symbol. Practical application is key to mastering sight reading.