Lesson Plan Teknis | Sound Improvisation

Objective

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage aims to equip learners for hands-on and experimental activities that involve musical improvisation and composition. By grasping the differences between improvised and rehearsed sounds, students will hone their critical listening abilities and skills that are beneficial in both artistic fields and the job market, where innovation and flexibility are crucial.

Objective Utama:

1. Experiment with improvisations and creating musical pieces.

2. Design soundscapes for stories using a variety of musical instruments and sound-making objects.

3. Contrast improvised sounds with polished sounds, recognising their similarities and differences.

Objective Sampingan:

1. Enhance audio perception and listening skills.
2. Foster creativity and personal expression through music.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage focuses on preparing students for practical and exploratory activities in musical improvisation and composition. By recognizing the distinctions between improvised and rehearsed sounds, learners can cultivate vital listening skills and abilities that hold merit in both artistic scenarios and the job market where creativity and adaptability are paramount.

Curiosities and Market Connection

 Curiosity: Renowned musicians like John Coltrane and Miles Davis were virtuosos in the improvisation realm. They had the ability to generate intricate and captivating music instantaneously, making their performances truly memorable.  Market Connection: The skill of improvisation extends beyond music; it’s highly valued across various sectors in the job market. Professionals involved in sound design for films, games, and ads often need to improvise and experiment with sound to create distinctive and powerful effects. Furthermore, improvisation is vital in areas such as theatre and stand-up comedy, where the capacity to generate innovative and adaptable content in real-time is essential.

Contextualization

Sound improvisation can be found in numerous facets of our everyday experiences, from casually playing musical instruments to more intricate artistic performances. When improvising, we conjure unique sounds and melodies on the fly, without any prior rehearsal. This allows for spontaneous individual expressions, fostering a sense of creativity and freedom in musical expression.

Initial Activity

 Initial Activity: Present students with a short video (2-3 minutes) featuring a live musical improvisation performance, like a jazz solo. After viewing, pose the thought-provoking question: 'How do you think the musician created something so beautiful and intricate without rehearsing beforehand?' Prompt students to reflect on their personal experiences with spontaneous sound and music creation.

Development

Duration: (40 - 45 minutes)

This stage aims to deliver a practical and collaborative experience, enabling students to implement the concepts of improvisation and sound composition. Through the creation of an improvised soundtrack, learners will enhance their musical abilities, critical listening skills, collaboration in groups, and appreciation for creativity and spontaneity.

Topics

1. Musical improvisation

2. Sound composition

3. Sound design for narratives

4. Difference between improvised and rehearsed sounds

Thoughts on the Subject

Encourage learners to reflect on how improvisation appears in aspects of life outside of music. Prompt them with questions such as: 'Can you think of a time when you had to think on your feet and come up with a solution? How did that go?' This reflection will aid students in recognizing that the ability to improvise is beneficial in various situations they encounter daily, including the workplace.

Mini Challenge

Mini Challenge: Crafting an Improvised Soundtrack

Students will be split into small groups and assigned a short story. Their task will be to develop an improvised soundtrack for the narrative using basic musical instruments and everyday objects like pots, tins, and plastic bottles.

1. Divide the class into groups of 4-5 students.

2. Assign a short story to each group, which can be a fable, a tale, or a straightforward narrative.

3. Clarify that each group must craft an improvised soundtrack for the story using whatever materials they can find in the classroom.

4. Provide time for groups to brainstorm and experiment with their sound ideas. Encourage creativity and freedom in their expression.

5. After preparation, each group will perform their improvised soundtrack for the class.

6. Post-presentations, lead a discussion on the sound choices made by each group and how these choices enhanced or altered the story's narrative.

Cultivate students' musical improvisation skills and creativity while boosting cooperation within groups.

**Duration: (30 - 35 minutes)

Evaluation Exercises

1. Prompt students to write a paragraph detailing their experience making an improvised soundtrack. Suggested questions: 'What did you enjoy most about the activity?', 'What was your biggest challenge?'

2. Ask students to compare the improvised sounds they created with ones they were familiar with that were practiced. What stood out as the most significant differences?

3. Facilitate a group discussion regarding the application of improvisation in realms beyond music, such as theatre, problem-solving, and professional presentations.

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage aims to solidify the knowledge gained, inspire reflection on the practical use of developed skills, and reassert the importance of improvisation and creativity in artistic realms as well as in the job market.

Discussion

️ Discussion: Initiate a dialogue with students about their takeaways from the lesson. Inquire about their experiences with improvisation, the challenges they confronted, and the solutions they devised. Encourage students to share their reflections on how improvisation can be relevant in various contexts, pointing out examples from theatre, sound design, and daily life.

Summary

 Summary: Review the main points discussed, emphasizing the distinctions between improvised and polished sounds, the significance of creativity and spontaneity in music, and how these skills can be advantageous across numerous professional sectors. Also, recount the practical exercises undertaken, such as crafting the improvised soundtrack.

Closing

 Closing: Conclude the lesson by stressing the value of improvisation and creativity in everyday life. Articulate that the ability to improvise is not merely an artistic talent, but a vital skill in the job market and in everyday problem-solving. Thank the students for their contributions and reinforce the notion that ongoing practice can significantly enhance their skills.