Beginner Band Sample Lesson Plan

Name: Diana C. Gonzalez

Concept(s): Dynamics
Grade Level: Beginner Brass
TEKS 117.310. Music, Level I
(3) Creative expression. The student demonstrates musical artistry by singing or playing an
instrument individually and in groups. The student performs music in a variety of genres at an
appropriate level of difficulty. The student performs from notation and by memory as
appropriate. The student develops cognitive and psychomotor skills. The student is expected to:
(E) Demonstrate correct intonation, appropriate phrasing, and appropriate dynamics;
Materials: Stands, Pencils, Instruments, Essential Elements Book, Tonal Energy App

1. Warm Up [5 minutes]
-Students at Ready Position
-Students at Set
-Bb Mini Scale (Whole Notes, Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes)
2. Anticipatory Set/Introducing Dynamics [5 minutes]
Call & Response Slurs
-I play for four beats then students imitate and play for four beats
-Play slurs in varying dynamics (piano/forte/mezzo forte)
-Call & Response Slurs Down the row to listen to individuals
-Everyone plays together again, imitating my dynamics
3. Discussion/Terminology [10 minutes]
-Q&A: What are dynamics? What are the terms used for soft and loud dynamics? What
does mezzo mean? What does mf mean?
-Write on white board: Piano= soft, Forte= loud, Mezzo=medium, mf=medium loud,
mp=medium soft
-Model Bb mini scale alternating each note from piano to forte dynamics
-Ask students what they hear about my tone while I play soft and loud
[Playing with good tone and supported wind whether Im playing loud or soft.]
-Students play Concert Bb Forte then Piano (with good tone)
-Students play Bb Mini Scale in contrasting dynamics
[Bb-forte, C-piano, D-forte, Eb-piano, F-forte]

4. Essential Elements Melody No. 50-51 [15 minutes]

-Students count No. 50

Beginner Band Sample Lesson Plan

-Ask what dynamics are written on No. 50 [piano, forte]
-Ask what the symbol between p and f is [crescendo and decrescendo]
-Model counting No. 50 with the appropriate dynamics
-Students count No. 50 with the appropriate dynamics
-Model No. 50 on a Concert F with appropriate dynamics
-Students play No. 50 on a Concert F with appropriate dynamics
-Students say note names for No. 51
-Students play measures 1 & 2 slowly [70 BPM]
-Model measures 1 & 2 with the appropriate dynamics as students finger along
-Students play measures 1 & 2 with correct notes, rhythms and dynamics
-Students play measures 3 & 4 slowly
-Model measures 3 & 4 with the appropriate dynamics as students finger along
-Students play measures 3 & 4 with correct notes, rhythms and dynamics
-Students play entire melody No. 51
5. Find the Mouthpiece (Dynamics Game) [10 minutes]
Explain Rules:
-One student steps out of the band hall while the entire class chooses a spot to hide a
mouthpiece.
-When the student searches for the mouthpiece, the class will play softly if he/she is far
away from the mouthpiece. Gradually playing louder as the student gets closer to the
finding the mouthpiece.
*The goal is to play piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, and forte with good tone and
supported wind.
*Play game twice*