Session 1 · CREATE: Experiment
Beats and tempo
- 8 minBody percussion warm-up: the whole class keeps a four-beat pulse with stomp (kick), clap (snare) and tap (hi-hat). Then drop and add parts on a signal.
- 20 minBeat grid (see activities): in Song Maker or Learning Music, build three beats for the same mood at three tempos (for example 70, 95 and 120 beats per minute). Save each link.
- 12 minListen to each other's beats in pairs of pairs. Which tempo fits your chosen mood? Why?
- 5 minMini-lesson on samples: a sample is a short recorded sound used as an instrument. Plan your field recordings: three sounds from your context, where and how you will record them safely.
- 5 minEar break and producer's sheet: paste your best beat link and write why it fits.
Session 2 · CREATE: Experiment
Chords and mood
- 10 minMini-lesson: a chord is three notes played together. On a keyboard (real or on screen) use 'play one, miss one, play one, miss one, play one' to build C major, G major, A minor and E minor. Major often sounds bright, minor often sounds darker or more thoughtful.
- 20 minChord mood swap (see activities): put the same short melody over a major loop (C–G–C–G) and a minor loop (Am–Em–Am–Em). Survey three listeners: which feels happier, sadder, more tense?
- 15 minField recording in pairs (see activities): record three short, clean sounds for your track in the school grounds. Name each file by what it is and where.
- 5 minShare one surprising sound. Pīwakawaka asks one question about how your chords match your mood; write your answer on the producer's sheet.
Getting started
Start from the four-bar template: kick on beats 1 and 3, clap on 2 and 4, hi-hat on every half beat. Change just one thing.
Stretch
Try the four-chord loop C–G–Am–F that many pop songs use. Then play the same chords in a different order and describe how the mood changes.
Checkpoint
Each pair has a saved beat at a chosen tempo, a chord loop with a reason (major or minor), and at least three self-recorded sounds.
Activities for this week
- Beat grid: How do tempo and rhythm change the feel of a beat?
- Chord mood swap: Can changing the chords change the whole mood, even with the same melody?
- Field recording and sampling: Can sounds from your own place become musical instruments?
Useful this week
- Chrome Music Lab: Song Maker ↗ Free, no-account browser tool for beats, melodies and chords; share tracks as links.
- Learning Music ↗ Step-by-step browser lessons on beats, chords, bass lines and song structure.