📖

Slurs Are Different

Music Theory: Ties and Slurs

Day 143of 180
Week 29of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the difference between ties and slurs in musical notation

2

Demonstrate ability to identify slurs on sheet music

3

Appreciate how music can express smooth, connected movement

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 150:3

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with the lute and harp!”

— Psalm 150:3 (WEB)

Demonstrates the beauty of musical instruments and connected sound

📦 Materials Needed

  • Staff paper
  • Pencil
  • Musical instrument (optional)
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade 2 Music
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recall yesterday's lesson about ties and introduce today's focus on slurs

💭 Review Question: Can you remember what a tie does on sheet music?
2Teaching (8 min)

Explain slurs as curved lines connecting different notes, indicating smooth playing

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Ties connect same notes; slurs connect different notes
  • Slurs tell musicians to play smoothly and connected
  • Slurs look like gentle arches over musical notes
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What does a smooth sound remind you of?
  • How might a slur make music sound different?
3Activity: Slur Detective (10 min)
demonstration

Practice identifying and drawing slurs on staff paper

📝 Instructions:
  1. Examine sample music with slurs
  2. Trace slurs with finger
  3. Draw your own slurs connecting different notes
  4. Practice playing or singing with smooth motion
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use larger staff paper with pre-drawn notes

Challenge: Create a short musical phrase using slurs

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the difference between ties and slurs

📝 Review Questions:
  • What makes a slur different from a tie?
  • How do slurs change how music sounds?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll analyze 'For the Beauty of the Earth' and find slurs in the music

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Slurs can be challenging for young musicians to distinguish from ties

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, encouraging language
  • Demonstrate slurs with smooth vocal or instrumental examples
  • Be patient with learning musical notation
🤔 Common Struggles:

Confusing slurs with ties, understanding smooth musical connection

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to identify and draw slurs, smooth musical interpretation

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Listen to classical music and identify slurs
  • Create a drawing inspired by smooth, connected musical movement

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 144 →Back to Music