Thomas J. West Music

Here is an example of a music theory lesson from my Digital Music Composition class. Students in this class meet on-site with my at my school, but log into the class Moodle page to read the assignment, watch screencast walkthroughs, and complete the project using MixCraft5 - all working at their own pace.

The project web page contains a written description of root position and chord inversions for the C major chord as well as showing how inversions make for a more fluid chord progression going through the primary chords in the key of C Major (C, F, and G major chords). I use Noteflight to write examples of these chords and embed them directly on to the project web page.

After the description and samples of the music theory, the students read the assignment requirements and a basic set of directions, then watch several screencasts that I made using another great web 2.0 tool called Jing  - the screencasts walk them through the project as I create a sample song.

Hybrid learning (using web-based lessons and resources to allow students to work at their own pace) is an effective and versatile way to differentiate instruction between students of varying ability levels, allow students more freedom to be creative and self-directed, and so much more.

Learning a music theory concept in this manner takes the theory immediately into the realm of application and creates a short piece of authentic music out of it. Students show their understanding of the theory concepts by playing the primary chords into the sequencer while reviewing previously covered material such as the elements of melody writing, using loops, virtual instruments, and effects.

Posted by Thomas J. West on February 11, 2011 at 9:32 PM

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