Ludwig van Beethoven: His Life and Music By Joy Agre Dot, Dash Teacher’s Page

Beethoven wrote a famous symphony based upon four notes. Here’s your chance to compose with this famous pattern. 1. Play this four-note motive on a keyboard or bar instrument. 2. Experiment with the four notes. A. Start on a higher or lower note. B. Play the notes faster or slower. C. Change the pattern of highs and lows. Ludwig van Beethoven Dot, Dot, Dot, Dash DDDBbBb Next page

3. Now use your imagination to create your own musical piece based on these four notes. Write your ideas about the sentences below to help you brainstorm for your piece. Rehearse and perform your musical piece. I will introduce my composition by _____. My first idea will be ______. My second idea will be _____. I will repeat this idea _______. I will end my composition by _____. Ludwig van Beethoven Dot, Dot, Dot, Dash Main page

The biography pages, Beethoven’s Life and Music (a separate listing under MAP attack), should be done preceding this lesson. The question and answer page should be used as an individual assessment for the students. They can simply write down the correct answer on a separate piece of paper to be turned in and graded. The page about his music can be enhanced by listening to clips of various types of works by Beethoven. For DOT, DOT, DOT, DASH, it will be helpful to have the students hear Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Then you will need to determine whether students will work individually or in small groups. Clarify instructions and demonstrate several of the suggestions in item 2. Allow students time to experiment and plan their compositions. Encourage students to perform their compositions for the class. Ludwig van Beethoven Teacher’s Page Main page