Unit 1 – Aural Awareness
Activity 1 – Duration (Long or Short)
The teacher is encouraged to use all instruments and materials available for ear training exercises, such as an electronic keyboard with a range of sounds, percussion instruments and other available instruments and, possibly, suitable recorded music on CD. The student is presented with a set of images intended to introduce students to the concept of duration. The animal chosen to represent the duration of notes is the snake. Students are then asked to circle the appropriate figure of the snake that in their opinion matches the note played by the teacher.
Activity 2 – Dynamics (Loud or Soft)
The student is presented with a set of images intended to teach the notion of dynamics, in particular, loud and soft sounds in music. Students are asked to draw a circle round the appropriate image that matches what is played by the teacher. The teacher is encouraged to use a range of available instruments and materials such as an electronic keyboard, percussion instruments, and possibly, suitable recorded music on CD.
The working man represents loud sound. The resting man represents soft sound.
Activity 3 – Tempo (Fast or Slow)
The student is presented with a set of images intended to teach the notion of tempo. A turtle is chosen to represent a slow tempo whereas a rabbit represents a fast tempo. Students are asked to draw a circle round the appropriate image in relation to the music played by the teacher. The teacher is encouraged to use instruments and materials available for ear training exercises, such as piano keyboard, percussion instruments, other available instruments and, possibly, suitable recorded music in different tempi.