Chapter Graphic : Coloured Keys
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  Level: Year 4 and year 8
Approach: One to one
Focus: Hearing up to five notes played on a keyboard (always starting on middle C), then attempting to play the same note pattern.
984k
Resources: Electronic keyboard, video recording on laptop computer.

Questions / instructions:
In this activity we're going to use the keyboard.

     
% responses
y4
y8
1. Do you play the piano or keyboard at home or at school?
yes
37
41
2. Have you had lessons on the piano or keyboard?
yes
20
31
Place keyboard in front of student and turn keyboard on.

Before we start the activity you can have a little play around on the keyboard to get some idea of what it sounds like. You can do that now. Play some of the notes to get the idea of what they sound like.
Encourage student to explore the keyboard without being too directive.
Now play some high notes on the keyboard.
Student plays high notes. Don't prompt if student does not play high notes.
Now play some low notes on the keyboard.
Student plays low notes. If the student did not correctly distinguish high and low notes, demonstrate some high and low notes.
Now we'll watch a video which explains what you are to do.
Click the Play button to start the video. During video, ensure student locates middle C when instructed to play it. If student does not attempt each item starting on middle C, remind them.
Your are going to play some notes on the keyboard. You are to try to play notes that sound the same. The first note will always be middle C. It's the one with the yellow sticker with C written on it. You can play that note now.

Each note or set of notes will be played twice. Each time listen carefully and then try to play the same notes. Remember each item starts on the middle C.
1.
correct at first attempt
59
79
 
correct at second attempt
17
12
2.
correct at first attempt
20
50
 
correct at second attempt
12
10
3.
correct at first attempt
19
56
 
correct at second attempt
7
10
4.
correct at first attempt
25
50
 
correct at second attempt
11
17
5.
correct at first attempt
3
4
 
correct at second attempt
3
8
6.
correct at first attempt
2
4
 
correct at second attempt
1
6
Commentary:
Students had more trouble playing down a note than up a note. On the first four patterns, about 25 percent more year 8 than year 4 students succeeded on their first attempt.
 
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