String Fling

Students will compose a vocal or instrumental piece using a melodic contour as guide. They will design and plot a contour with string, identify sound, select timbre, plan and write a melodic line in notation or graphic score, name the composition, and practice and perform the composition.
This lesson is aimed at:
Elementary School, whole group, general music instruction: Use basic, single line patterns transcribe to simple line and space note pieces.
Middle School, whole group, general music or choral performance group: Use melodic contours as vocal warm up exercises, pitch/ range exercises, voice leading illustrations and two- or multi-part singing exercises.
Objectives
Within 1 to 2 lessons, students will compose a piece of music using a melodic contour. In the process the student will:
• Analyze a visual image of melodic contour
• Make connections between visual contour lines on the music staff and high/low sound production
• Analyze how melodic contour and sound reflect each other
• Explore improvisatory techniques
• Explore basic music notation
• Explore new writing and playing techniques to accommodate composition
• Explore melodic contour as compositional device
• Explore melodies as sound layers: monophonic, polyphonic