Journal

To begin, I thought that the test went well. I felt that the test was fair and if you knew the study guide, it should have gone ok. To get ready for the test, I went to class and wrote down everything the teacher said on Wednesday. Professor Wang answered all of our questions and went over the entire study guide, which I found to be very helpful. I also went through all of our notes and worksheets that we have done throughout the semester. What I found difficult was memorizing all of the definitions by heart. I knew that the test was all fill in the blank, so I knew that I needed to really know the definitions. The hardest part on the test for me was explaining the different time signatures. I knew how to explain 3/4, but for some reason I didn't know how to explain 6/8 and 3/2. It also took me some time to memorize the rhythmic duration syllables and the hand signs. I didn't have a problem with writing down the names of the notes or using solfegee. I already know how to read music and have worked with do re mi fa so la ti do before. Knowing the notes to the recorder was also easy for me because I have played the recorder before taking this class. Note value was also an easy topic for me because I can read music. To prepare for this test, I went to class everyday and completed the whole study guide. I wrote down everything Professor Wang said and studied the material until I knew it by heart. I made note cards to quiz myself and gave myself a "pretend" test.
We have already learned so much this semester. We learned how to present and write out our first lesson plans. We have learned a number of different musical terms and definitions, various learning styles, note value, time signature, rhythmic durations, solfegee, the C major and G major scales, and hand signs. Professor Wang taught us the notes G, A, B, C, and D on the recorder and we can even play a variety of songs using it. We learned all about transferring rhymes into rhythmic notation and drawing out melodic icons for any given children's song. We also learned about Kodaly who was a Hungarian composer that believed that music is essential in the core curriculum. I am really enjoying this class and I hope the semester continues to go well.