In your music classroom, the 6 Concepts of Music serve as the cornerstone of musical understanding. It’s crucial to grasp these musical concepts to ensure your students receive a comprehensive music education in grades 9 to 12. 

However, finding appropriate resources for this age group can be challenging, especially when your students don’t have extensive musical backgrounds. The insights and resources shared in this blog post stem from over 20 years of teaching experience in grades 7 to 12 music classes, catering to students with diverse musical and literacy skills.

 

 

 

What are the 6 Concepts of Music?

In your music class, understanding the 6 Concepts of Music is paramount to fostering a comprehensive musical education for your students. Here is a short definition for each of the 6 Concepts of Music.

• Duration refers to the length of musical sounds and rests, teaching your students about rhythm and timing. 
• Dynamics & Expressive Techniques encompass the volume and intensity of sound, allowing students to convey emotions and feelings through their performance. 
• Pitch relates to the highness or lowness of musical tones, helping students recognize melodies and harmonies. 
• Structure involves the organization and arrangement of musical elements, guiding students in identifying patterns and forms within compositions. 
• Texture refers to the density and complexity of musical layers, encouraging students to discern between different instrumental and vocal arrangements. 
• Tone Colour, also known as timbre or performing media, focuses on the unique quality of sound produced by different instruments and voices, enabling students to appreciate the diversity of musical tone colours. 

 

 

How are the Concepts of Music different to the Elements of Music?

The choice between using the Elements of Music or the Concepts of Music in teaching music appreciation and analysis depends on the educational context and your geographical location. 

The key distinction between the concepts or elements of music lies in terminology and categorization. For instance, in the Concepts of Music framework, Rhythm is referred to as Duration, while Melody, Harmony, and Tonality are all encompassed within the Concept of Music known as Pitch. Another significant difference lies in the treatment of Tone Colour and Timbre. While Timbre is considered a subset of Tone Colour, describing the unique sound quality of an instrument, Tone Colour involves a broader analysis of performance techniques and instrument classification. 

 

If you’re interested in delving deeper into the 8 Elements of Music, you can explore our dedicated blog post here, which provides detailed descriptions of each Element alongside an overview of the Concepts of Music.

 

What are the 8 Elements of Music? Blog Post Link here

 

 

 

Definition for the Elements of Music

The Elements of Music are the fundamental components that comprise musical compositions. They include various aspects such as melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, texture, structure, tonality, and timbre. These elements work together to create the overall musical experience and are essential for understanding and analyzing music.

 

 

 

Definition for the Concepts of Music

The Concepts of Music refer to broader, overarching principles that encapsulate the fundamental ideas and theories behind musical composition and performance. These concepts of music include- pitch, duration, dynamics, texture, structure, and tone color. Unlike the Elements of Music, which focus on specific components within a piece of music, the Concepts of Music provide a conceptual framework for understanding music as a whole and its underlying principles.

 

 

 

 

Concepts of Music Resources for Grades 9 and 10

The Concepts in Music Bundle resource is an invaluable teaching tool for engaging your music class in exploring the intricacies of the 6 Concepts in Music. 

This resource has been specifically designed for music students in Grades 9 and 10, and is a comprehensive collection of 18 printable, low-prep activities, worksheets, and games.

The bundle covers everything your music students need to understand about Duration, Dynamics & Expressive Techniques, Pitch, Structure, Texture, and Tone Colour. 

Within the Concepts in Music Bundle, you’ll find a wealth of music teaching resources that are designed to enhance understanding and retention of key music vocabulary and terms. 

Included in each part of the Concepts in Music Bundle resource:

• 10 Suggested songs to listen to and study
• Concept of Music Listening Acronym Poster
• Mind Maps – colour and black and white
• Concepts of Music Terms List
• Music Term Cards for games
• Listening Questions – 2 levels
• Listening Comparison Questions- 2 levels
• M.U.S.I.C. Writing About Music Scaffold
• Sample Structure M.U.S.I.C. Paragraphs, and a link to a live demonstration of the paragraph in action
• 9 learning music terminology activities

Suggested uses for the Concepts in Music Bundle include:

• For teaching students about the Concept of Music
• Use the Term Cards for games, learning activities and revision of terms
• Use the Mind Maps for learning about the Concepts in Music and listening activities
• Use the Listening Questions for listening lessons, assignments, listening journals and more
• Use the M.U.S.I.C. Writing About Music scaffolds to help students with developing their literacy skills, as part of an assessment or assignment, as part of a listening journal

 

Link to the Concepts in Music Bundle here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concepts of Music Resources for Grades 11 and 12

The Writing About the Concepts of Music Bundle is another carefully curated collection of 12 resources that have been designed to develop and deepen your music students’ understanding of the 6 Concepts of Music while refining their aural analysis skills. 

This Writing About the Concepts of Music Bundle is meant to be used with Stage 6 Music 1 students in Grades 11 and 12. 

This bundle of 12 music classroom tested resources offers a wealth of materials suitable for anyone interested in studying the 6 Concepts of Music and preparing for the HSC Aural Exam. 

Included in this resource for each of the 6 Concepts of Music:

• Writing About Music Teacher Book
• Writing About Music Student Book
• Mind Maps for each Concept of Music
• Concepts of Music definitions and terms, with diagrams
• How to respond and analyse a piece of music- with samples and links to music
• Student Samples- with links to music
• Two different aural exam question response formats – point form and paragraph form
• M.U.S.I.C. Scaffold for use with responding to music
• Student Response Samples
• 3 Practice Questions with links to music

Suggested uses for the Writing About the Concepts of Music Bundle are:

• As an introduction to the Concepts of Music
• As a complete unit of study on the Concepts of Music
• As preparation for the HSC Music 1 Course
• As review for the HSC Music 1 Course
• As a study guide for the HSC Music 1 Course
• As a preparation for a Viva Voce

Link to the Writing About the Concepts of Music Bundle here

 

 

 

 

 

4 Lesson Ideas for Teaching the Concepts of Music

When you explicitly teach the concepts of music, you provide invaluable benefits to your music students across various aspects of their musical study, including composition, listening, and performance. 

By thoroughly understanding each of the concepts – duration, dynamics, pitch, structure, texture, and tone color, your music students develop a solid foundation in music theory and analysis, which in turn enhances their ability to engage critically with musical compositions. This deeper musical comprehension empowers them to express themselves more effectively in their own compositions, as they can apply nuanced techniques and structural elements with intention and clarity. 

Additionally, a strong grasp of the 6 music concepts cultivates active listening skills, enabling your students to discern and appreciate the intricacies of different musical pieces. 

When your music students understand how these concepts are used in various genres and styles, they can critically interpret and perform music with greater sensitivity and expressiveness, enriching their musical interpretations and performances. 

Ultimately, explicit instruction in the 6 concepts of music equips your music students with the analytical tools and musical understanding necessary to excel in their musical endeavors and fosters a lifelong appreciation and love for music.

 

Below are a few simple lesson ideas to try with the resources available in the Concepts of Music Bundles.

 

Music Term Cards

Incorporating music term cards into games is a fun active way to promote music vocabulary retention in your music students. By turning learning into a playful activity, your music students will be engaged and motivated to participate actively in their own education. 

Through games such as matching, charades, or memory, students not only reinforce their understanding of musical terms but also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. 

The interactive nature of games encourages repetition and retrieval practice, which are key components of effective learning and memory formation. Additionally, the element of competition or collaboration adds an extra layer of excitement, making the learning experience memorable and enjoyable for your music students.

You can read more about other ideas to try for learning music vocabulary here

Making Mastering Music Vocabulary Easy with these 15 Simple Strategies

Music Listening Activities

Each of the bundles for the concepts of music resources offers invaluable support for in-class assessments and aural analysis exercises in the music classroom. These music teaching resources provide a structured framework for students to hone their listening skills and deepen their understanding of musical concepts. 

Regular practice of aural analysis not only enhances students’ ability to discern nuances in music but also fosters critical listening skills essential for musical development. By engaging in activities such as identifying how the concepts of music are used, analyzing musical structures, and interpreting expressive techniques, students sharpen their aural skills and gain confidence in their analytical abilities. Plus, frequent exposure to a wide variety of musical genres cultivates an appreciation for diverse musical styles and fosters a deeper connection to the music they encounter, enriching their overall musical experience.

 

Music Mind Maps

The mind maps included in the concepts of music resources offer a versatile tool for a variety of lesson activities in the music classroom. These visual representations effectively organize and illustrate the interconnections between different musical concepts, facilitating comprehension and retention among students. 

You can use the mind maps for brainstorming sessions, concept reviews, and interactive discussions, encouraging active engagement and participation. Additionally, the concepts of music mind maps serve as valuable reference guides during listening exercises, composition tasks, and analytical discussions, helping students navigate complex musical structures and concepts with ease. 

Using the mind maps into your music lessons not only develops students’ understanding of music theory but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative learning in the classroom.

 

Music Listening Question Cards

The Concepts of Music Listening Question Cards included in the concepts of music resources offer a valuable tool for a variety of engaging lesson activities in the music classroom. These music listening analysis cards provide targeted questions that prompt students to critically listen to musical excerpts, analyze various elements, and deepen their understanding of the concepts of music. 

You can use the cards for listening exercises, group discussions, or individual assessments, all while encouraging active listening and fostering analytical skills. 

Plus, using the listening question cards helps you to easily facilitate differentiation in instruction, as your music students can select the listening questions tailored to their level of understanding, allowing for personalized learning experiences and ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged. 

By integrating these cards into lesson plans, you can effectively enhance your students’ listening comprehension, critical thinking abilities, and overall musical literacy.

 

By explicitly teaching these 6 concepts of music in your music classes, you will equip your high school music students with a solid foundation for musical understanding and appreciation. These musical concepts not only will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills, but also will enrich their overall musical experience, empowering them to become discerning listeners, expressive performers, and creative composers. Embrace the power of music education and watch as your students flourish into well-rounded musicians, driven by curiosity, passion, and a deep appreciation for the art of music.

 

You can watch the recording of the video from Day 5 of the Get Ready With Me Back to School 2024 below.

 

Until next time

Happy Teaching

Julia from Jooya