Music
Measure
Music
Measure
Overview:
You will determine how many different
ways a "measure" of music can be arranged with whole, half, quarter, and
eight notes.
Mathematics Objectives:
Fractions, and permutations
Materials Needed:
Paper, Pencil, Music Paper, Musical
Instrument
Directions to Students:
A measure of music has eight beats. (in 4/4 time)
A whole note would last for eight beats.
W
A half note would be four beats.
H
A quarter note lasts two beats.
Q
An eight note lasts only one beat.
E
Your task is to determine how many different ways you
can make up a measure of music. For example, you could have:
two half notes
HH
a quarter and half and a quarter QHQ
a half, a quarter, a quarter
QQH
Notice QHQ and QQH would be different.
You will submit a report listing all of the possibilities.
Point out that there is only one way to represent half
notes and only one way to represent eight notes.
(Check back later for answer. I think it is 57,
but I need to double check.)
Bonus:
Students who are musically talented can tape record their
results with a musical instrument.
Some students may want to try with sixteenth notes as
well.
A computer program could generate the possibilities.
Scoring Rubric:
(Students may provide some input.)
The scoring rubric can be applied
by self, peer and/or teacher.
Students are scored on the following
three
Self Management:
1. Did not remain on
task, moved around, disturbed others.
2. Did not put forth
best effort but completed task.
3. Completed task,
helped others, did not disturb others.
4. Completed task
on time, helped others, did not disturb,
positive attitude, participated.
Accuracy:
1. Major errors resulting
in only a few measures.
2. Some errors resulting
in missing several measures.
3. Only minor errors;
resulting in only a few missing measures.
4. All of the measures
were reported.
Report Neatness:
1. Report is messy
and difficult to follow.
2. Report is not complete.
3. Report is complete
but not well organized.
4. The report is complete,
well organized, and neat.