Even more educational than classic alphabet
blocks, these musical alphabet blocks make learning music theory mere child's
play. Each set of blocks has one of each letter of the musical alphabet, with
natural, sharp, and flat sides. The blocks come in a sturdy bright blue
drawstring bag for storage. Teaching suggestions are included..
Bag O' Blocks is useful for all levels of students
because it allows them to see relationships that otherwise may not be
obvious. Even teachers will want to play with them. For example. . .
1) Practice Key Identification: Have
student draw a block out of a hat and find that letter name all over the
keyboard. When they have found all the D's for example, challenge them to
find the other sides of the block, D# and Db.
2) Understand Sharps and Flats: Sharps in
music are raised one half step; flats are lowered one half step. Each set of
blocks is made so that sharps are always above and flats are always below the
natural notes.
3) Build Pentachords and Scales: The color
coding makes it easy to see the black keys in each scale.
4) Discover the "Magic 7" Rule: Scales are
inter-related because of the Magic 7 rule. If you build a D Major scale with
the blocks, you'll see the two sharps. At the same time on the side of those
blocks you can see the Db Major scale with five flats. The sharps and flats
together equal seven. This works with the other keys as well.
5) Discover the Natural Minor from the
Relative Major: Spell out a major scale. Move block 6 and 7 to the
beginning of the row. This is the natural minor scale that uses the same key
signature.
6) Learn Harmonic Minor Scales: Spell out
a major scale. Then lower blocks 3 and 6.
7) Create the Circle of Fifths: To "go
around" the Circle of Sharps, begin with C Major (0 sharps). Move the first
tetrachord to end of the row. Raise the 7th (last block). Now you have G
Major. Repeat steps 1 and 2 around the circle.
To "go around" the Circle of Flats, begin with
C Major (0 flats). Lower the 7th block. Then move the last tetrachord to the
beginning of the row. You now have F Major (1 flat). Repeat steps 1 and 2
around the circle.
8) Understand Chord Inversions: Inverting
chords is now a visual process.
9) Review Cadences: Review cadence chords
visually.
10) Challenge Creativity: Roll the blocks
like dice to create a melody. Students can use the tones they rolled in a new
or unique rhythm.
What Others Say. . .
Simple, yet clever and sophisticated. This
idea is a blockbuster. John Lampkin, composers & teacher
I will get a lot of cluck for my buck with
these. Scott McBride Smith
Brilliant, my visual students love them.
Wisconsin teacher.
This has everything my theory students need.
Where were these when I was learning key signatures? Texas college
professor
