Unit Plan Outline
Teacher: David Buckle
Unit Title: Counterpoint
Grade: 11th-12th
Number of Classes: 6
MA Frameworks: 2.10, 4.14, 4.15, 4.19, 5.12, 5.14, 5.15
National Standards: AS2 Plan, Make/ AS3 Evaluate, Refine, Present/ AS6 Present
Rationale:
This unit will provide the student with tools and knowledge on how to write
interactive musical melodies with the correct phrasing and musical ideals that
were use since the Baroque era. Students will also engage on analyzing
harmonic structures of music literature. This unit also prepares for college level
counterpoint work.
Lasting Learning:
Students will have a better understanding in writing melodies as well as a
historical input in classical writing with counter active parts. Students will gain
knowledge on how to closely analyze harmonies and understand their purposes.
Students will also take notice in harmonic structures in melodic writing.
Knowledge and Skills:
Students will gain knowledge on proper technique on two-part melodic writing
with various instrumentation.
Assessment/Evaluation:
Informal: Some students will do some exercises in each class on the topic
presented and share with the rest of the class.
Formal: Each section, students will have to compose/analyze each
different mixed ratio.
Long Range Assignment/Project/Product: Compose a sixteen bar
Canon with two instruments. Students may play back using finale or play
live for additional credit.
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
Students should know basic intervals between notes, able to read and write in
notation. Some basic counting for ratio exercises. Students should know proper
voice leading for later lessons.
Accommodations:
1. Special needs – Exceptional learning students will help assist other
students or even assist in the teaching method to help showcase his
skills and have other students learn in the process.
2. ELL – When students do not understand instructions given, peers may
help and use of universal symbols such as numbers or note heads to
help students stay on track.
School to Home/community connection:
Students that want to start writing their own music to perform and share with
others. Help organize groups in the community to preform for. College
preparations for future music majors. Advance Placement Music Theory prep for
standardized testing.
Activator:
The first lesson, students will have an interval warm up to re collect information.
Every other lesson will start off with a few students sharing their assignments and
reinstating what was previously learned before moving on through the
coursework.
Repertoire:
Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, Gerubach’s YouTube Channel for list of
repertoire.
Materials Needed:
Pencils, Manuscript paper, piano, Whiteboard, overhead projector, computer,
iPod jack, iPod.
Lesson Outlines
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Behavioral Objective: Students will learn the very basics of counterpoint.
1:1 ratio will be introduced and melodic writing for two part.
Assessment/Evaluation: Examples will be worked on in class and an
eight bar melody will be assigned for the next class.
Prior Knowledge and activator: Students should know basic intervals
between notes, able to read and write notation. Basic math skills apply for
ratios.
Lesson content:
Interval Worksheet activator
Worksheet hand out for class work
Piano for listening examples
Assignment for 1:1 writing homework
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Behavioral Objective: Students will get more involved with counterpoint
writing while working on 2:1 ratio that will be introduced and working with
interactive rhythms. The use of suspensions will be introduced.
Assessment/Evaluation: Examples will be given in class and shared on
piano amongst the class for evaluation. Another eight bars will be
assigned for class using 2:1 ratio.
Prior Knowledge and activator: Proper voice leading techniques should
be familiar, as well as 1:1 ratio writing.
Lesson content:
Assignments from previous class will be shard and played on piano to
been seen and heard.
2:1 ratio will be introduced alongside use of suspensions on a worksheet.
Teacher will play examples for students on piano.
Some 2:1 examples will be shared with class.
Assignment will be given on 2:1 ratio writing.
Behavioral Objective: Students will get more involved with counterpoint
writing while working on 3:1 ratio that will be introduced and working with
interactive rhythms.
Assessment/Evaluation: Examples will be given in class and shared on
piano amongst the class for evaluation. Another eight bars will be
assigned for class using 3:1 ratio.
Prior Knowledge and activator: Proper voice leading techniques should
be familiar, as well as 1:1 and 2:1 ratio writing.
Lesson content:
Assignments from previous class will be shard and played on piano to
been seen and heard.
3:1 ratio will be introduced alongside use of suspensions on a worksheet.
Teacher will play examples for students on piano.
Some 3:1 examples will be shared with class.
Assignment will be given on 3:1 ratio writing.
Behavioral Objective: Students will get more involved with counterpoint
writing while working on 4:1 and Mixed Ratio that will be introduced and
working with interactive rhythms.
Assessment/Evaluation: Examples will be given in class and shared on
piano amongst the class for evaluation. Another eight bars will be
assigned for class using 4:1 ratio and another eight bars composed using
Mixed ratio.
Prior Knowledge and activator: Proper voice leading techniques should
be familiar, as well as 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 ratio writing.
Lesson content:
Assignments from previous class will be shard and played on piano to
been seen and heard.
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4:1 ratio will be introduced alongside Mixed ratio on a worksheet. Teacher
will play examples for students on piano.
Some 4:1 and Mixed ratio examples will be shared with class.
Assignments will be given on 4:1 and Mixed ratio writing.
Behavioral Objective: Students will get more involved with counterpoint
writing while understanding the differences of Canons and Rounds.
Assessment/Evaluation: Project will be assigned, students must write
in sixteen bars their own canon using and style they wish.
Prior Knowledge and activator: Proper voice leading techniques should
be familiar, as well as 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and Mixed ratio writing.
Lesson content:
Assignments from previous class will be shard and played on piano to
been seen and heard.
Canons and rounds will be discussed in class, some canons will be
listened to on the Internet and Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major will be
analyzed in class. Teacher will play examples for students on piano on
rounds.
Project will be assigned, students must write in sixteen bars their own
canon using and style they wish. They may use finale recording to share
or perform live with a partner for additional credit.
Behavioral Objective: Students will perform, listen, and evaluate each
other’s pieces.
Assessment/Evaluation: Students are preforming their pieces for the
class.
Prior Knowledge and activator: All ratios, canons, and rounds will be
learned throughout the unit.
Lesson content:
Each student will have a chance to play recording or perform their projects
live for the class.