Upper Elementary has been hard at play, exploring barred instruments such as soprano, alto, and bass xylophones, contrabass bars, and glockenspiels! After learning which instruments are best suited for various roles in an ensemble, whether that be sustaining the beat, solidifying the root or “home tone” with a bordun, or adding interesting accents, our young musicians have had the opportunity to create their own musical ideas through improvisation.
Improvisation is a form of making music on the spot without preparation. When improvising as a group, many skill sets come into play at once. It is especially important to be able to listen to what other musicians are playing and to be able to adjust in real-time to create an overall sound that works without clashing with other instruments. Students have learned how to use pentatonic scales in various keys to help enhance their ability to improvise as an ensemble. They have learned how to build a group sound with each musician entering, one after another, until everyone is playing, and they have also explored improvising as soloists.
Most importantly, they’re having fun! You might get to hear a little bit of improvisation at the all-school Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 17th. Be sure to save the date!