📖

Crescendo and Decrescendo

Expressive Singing: Dynamics and Phrasing

Day 57of 180
Week 12of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the musical terms crescendo and decrescendo

2

Demonstrate gradual volume changes while singing

3

Develop breath control for smooth dynamic transitions

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 150:3-5

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with the psaltery and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe! Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with resounding cymbals!”

— Psalm 150:3-5 (WEB)

This passage demonstrates the variety of musical expression, highlighting how different volumes and techniques can be used to praise God

📦 Materials Needed

  • Dynamic cards
  • World English Bible
  • Worship song sheet
  • Breathing exercise chart
  • Piano or keyboard (optional)
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Welcome to today's BibleMouse music lesson! Let's review our dynamic markings from yesterday.

💭 Review Question: What dynamic markings did we learn about in our last lesson?
2Teaching (10 min)

Today we'll explore how musicians create smooth volume changes called crescendo (getting louder) and decrescendo (getting softer).

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Crescendo means gradually increasing volume
  • Decrescendo means gradually decreasing volume
  • Breath control is key to smooth dynamic changes
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might we use crescendo and decrescendo in worship music?
  • Can you think of moments in life when our voice might naturally get louder or softer?
3Activity: Breath and Dynamic Wave (12 min)
singing technique

Practice smooth volume transitions using a familiar worship song

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose a simple worship song from BibleMouse Song Collection
  2. Start singing very softly (piano)
  3. Gradually increase volume to forte
  4. Then slowly decrease back to very soft
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use hand gestures to show volume changes

Challenge: Conduct a small group using dynamic hand signals

4Closing (3 min)

Recap our learning about musical expression

📝 Review Questions:
  • What is a crescendo?
  • How does breath control help with dynamic changes?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore musical phrasing and how to breathe between musical sentences

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Dynamic changes help convey emotion and meaning in music

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use your hands to demonstrate volume changes
  • Be patient - breath control takes practice
  • Praise effort over perfection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find smooth volume transitions challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Consistent breath control and intentional volume changes

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Record your dynamic performance and listen back
  • Create a dynamic performance of Psalm 150 with instruments or voice

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 58 →Back to Music