### **Lesson Plan: Instrumental and Vocal Techniques for 9th Grade Music**
**Grade:** 9
**Subject:** Music
**Lesson Title:** Instrumental and Vocal Techniques
**Duration:** 50 minutes
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**I. Objective:**
Students will understand and demonstrate basic instrumental and vocal techniques. They will learn how to properly use their instruments and voices to achieve good sound quality and performance skills.
**II. Materials Needed:**
- Various musical instruments (keyboard, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, etc.)
- Microphones
- Speakers
- Music stands
- Sheet music
- Handouts on vocal and instrumental techniques
- Whiteboard and markers
**III. Standards:**
- **Music Performance (MU:Pr4.2.E.8a)**: Analyze and refine artistic work by explaining and demonstrating how the selection of technical and interpretive skills, and the fundamentals of music (such as rhythm, timbre, pitch), impact the musical work.
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**IV. Lesson Procedures:**
#### **1. Introduction (10 minutes):**
- **Hook (3 minutes):**
Play a short video of a professional musician and a vocalist performing.
- Discuss with the class what stood out about their performance.
- Ask: "What makes a performance stand out? What techniques might these musicians have used?"
- **Objective Introduction (2 minutes):**
State the objectives clearly:
- Gain basic understanding of instrumental and vocal techniques.
- Practice and demonstrate these techniques.
- **Brief Overview (5 minutes):**
Present an overview of what will be covered:
- Instrumental Techniques: Posture, breath control, finger placement, articulation.
- Vocal Techniques: Breath support, diction, pitch, enunciation, resonance.
#### **2. Instruction (20 minutes):**
- **Instrumental Techniques (10 minutes):**
- **Posture and Positioning (3 minutes):**
Demonstrate correct posture and positioning for several instruments. Emphasize the importance of posture in sound production.
- **Breath Control (2 minutes):**
Explain and demonstrate breath control for wind instruments.
- **Finger/Hand Techniques (3 minutes):**
Demonstrate finger/hand positioning for keyboards, guitars, and other relevant instruments.
- **Basic Articulation (2 minutes):**
Show basic articulation techniques (staccato, legato) on an instrument.
- **Vocal Techniques (10 minutes):**
- **Breath Support (3 minutes):**
Explain the concept of breath support and lead the class in a few breathing exercises.
- **Diction and Enunciation (2 minutes):**
Discuss why clear diction is important and lead a few vocal exercises.
- **Pitch and Resonance (3 minutes):**
Explain and demonstrate how to find pitch, use resonance, and hit notes accurately.
- **Warm-Up Exercises (2 minutes):**
Lead the class in vocal warm-up exercises.
#### **3. Practice and Application (15 minutes):**
- **Instrumental Practice (7 minutes):**
- Divide the class into groups based on the instrument they are learning.
- Have each group practice the demonstrated techniques for their specific instrument with guided oversight.
- **Vocal Practice (8 minutes):**
- Bring the class back together and practice vocal techniques as a group.
- Encourage students to apply breathing, diction, and resonance exercises while singing a simple song together.
#### **4. Conclusion (5 minutes):**
- **Review (3 minutes):**
- Summarize key points: proper posture, breath control, finger/hand techniques for instruments, and breath support, diction, pitch for vocals.
- Encourage students to practice these techniques daily.
- **Q&A and Feedback (2 minutes):**
- Allow time for students to ask questions.
- Provide feedback on their practice during the class.
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**V. Assessment:**
- **Formative Assessment:** Observe students' application of techniques during practice.
- **Summative Assessment:** A future performance task where students will perform a piece (instrumental/vocal) demonstrating learned techniques.
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**VI. Differentiation:**
- **Support:** Provide additional help to students who are struggling with basic techniques. Use peer support and additional demonstrations.
- **Extension:** Offer advanced techniques and additional challenges to students who have mastered the basics.
**VII. Reflection:**
- After the lesson, reflect on what worked well and areas for improvement. Adjust future lessons based on student performance and feedback.
**VIII. Homework:**
- Students will be asked to practice a specific technique taught in class with their instrument or voice and be prepared to demonstrate it in the next class.
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**IX. Extensions:**
- *Guest Musician:* Invite a local musician to discuss and demonstrate professional techniques and experiences.
- *Technology:* Encourage the use of music apps for practice and technique improvement.
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This lesson aims to build foundational skills in both instrumental and vocal techniques, setting students up for continued success in their musical education.