Introduction to The Modern Band

Teachers:
Ms. Carrie Goodson, Ms. Rachel Mallon, Ms. Rose Bentley, Ms. Mackenzie Webster

Times:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other Friday from 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Purpose:
To provide students with a new perspective on modern day music as well as provide all students
with experience in the music making process.

Course Overview:
Introduction to Modern Band allows students to explore a wide range of musical styles and
genres through guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, and vocals. To participate in this ensemble
you don’t have to have any prior experience but you must practice and show signs of
improvement throughout the semester.

Text:
- Access to littlekidsrock.org
- 1” 3-Ring Binder
- Folder
- Fingering charts for Guitar and Bass

Objectives:
Students will gain experience on modern band instrumentation.
Students will create a cover song of a selected piece they choose to then perform.
Students will create a composition demonstrating the knowledge they have gained throughout the
units.
Expectations:
Assignments will not be graded based on skill level but based on the student’s improvement
throughout the semester. We do not expect every student to be good at every instrument!
However, we do want them to participate in class and practice outside of class to ensure that they
are taking part in the music learning process.

Students are expected to bring their binder (that will hold all course handouts) as well as their
folder (that has fingering charts, chords, and drum patterns) to each class period.

Students are also expected to complete assignments by the designated due date, as well as
practice on a regular basis to continue advancing on schedule.

Assignments:
Submit a recording at the end of each unit by 5pm that Friday.
Perform a cover song during lunch period on November 25th.
Perform an original composition during lunch period on December 16th.

Anticipated Lessons:

Students could be randomly picked to perform the assigned reading from the hand outs for the
class or in small groups.

Students could be tested over terms learned in class such as strings of guitar, chords, etc.
 PROPOSED COURSE CALENDAR

DATE CONTENT ASSIGNMENT DUE AT THE

BEGINNING OF CLASS

August 19 Introduction to Modern Band!

ASSIGNMENT: Fill out “Class Interest”
Form

August 21 Introduction to Guitar Turn in “Class Interest” Form

- Strings
- Strum Patterns
- Tuning
ASSIGNMENT: Practice Chords 1-4

August 26 Guitar
- Chords
ASSIGNMENT: Practice Chords 5-8

August 28 Guitar
- Chords
ASSIGNMENT: Practice Chords 9-12

August 30 Guitar
- Chords
ASSIGNMENT: Review Previous Chords
and Look at Bar Chords as well as Power
Chords

September 2 Guitar
- Bar Chords
- Power Chords
ASSIGNMENT: Learn Guitar Chords to ​Old
Town Road

September 4 Guitar
- Old Town Road
ASSIGNMENT: Submit “Guitar Licks of the
Day 1-6” Video

September 6 NO CLASS Submit “Guitar Licks of the Day 1-6”

Video by 5pm
September 9 Introduction to Bass
ASSIGNMENT: Practice different bass lines
on different strings

September 11 Bass
- Notes

September 13 Bass Submit “Choose your favorite Bass Line

- Strum vs Pluck from Class” video by 5pm

September 16 Keyboard
- Chords

September 18 Keyboard
- Chords

September 23 Keyboard
- Chords

September 25 Keyboard
- Accompaniment patterns
ASSIGNMENT: Chord Progressions of the
Day 1-5 Video

September 27 Keyboard Submit “Chord Progressions of the Day

- Melodies 1-5” video by 5pm

September 30 Drumset Introduction

- Body Percussion

October 2 Drumset
- Different beat styles

October 7 Drumset
- Different beat styles

October 9 Drumset
- Fills

October 11 Drumset Submit “Two Drum Charts from Class”

Introduce Group Cover Songs by 5pm

October 14 Review Day!

- Review all instruments
Assign Groups

October 16 Cover Song Work Day

October 21 Cover Song Work Day

October 23 Cover Song Work Day

October 25 Cover Song Work Day Cover Song Choice

October 28 Cover Song Work Day

October 30 Cover Song Work Day

November 4 Cover Song Work Day

November 6 Cover Song Work Day

November 8 Cover Song Work Day

November 11 Cover Song Work Day

November 13 Cover Song Work Day

November 25 Perform at Lunch!

Discuss Composition

November 27 THANKSGIVING BREAK

November 29 THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 2 Composition Work Day

ASSIGNMENT: Rough Draft of Composition

December 4 Composition Work Day Rough Draft of Composition

December 9 Composition Work Day

December 11 Composition Work Day

December 13 Present Composition to Class Final Draft of Composition

December 16 Perform at Lunch!

FINAL:
Discussion about Cover
Songs/Compositions/Class Overall