Unit Plan 30 (Grade 5 Orchestra): Tone & Technique Check

Focus: Refine tone production, posture, bow hold, and left-hand position to create a clear, characteristic sound on open strings and simple melodies.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Orchestra (Tone • Technique • Ensemble Skills)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30-minute sessions

I. Introduction

Students pause mid-year to check in on their basic orchestra technique. Through focused warm-ups, mirror work, and simple playing checks, they revisit posture, instrument setup, bow hold, bow path, and left-hand position. Students learn how these building blocks affect tone quality, and they practice giving and using specific feedback (“elbow too low,” “bow drifting toward the fingerboard”) to refine their sound.

Essential Questions

• How do posture, bow hold, and left-hand position affect the sound of my instrument?
• What does a clear, characteristic tone sound like on open strings and simple notes?
• How can I use feedback and self-checks to improve my playing over time?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate correct posture and instrument setup while seated or standing to support a healthy, stable playing position.
2. Show a curved, relaxed bow hold and use a straight bow path to produce an even tone on open strings.
3. Maintain a curved left-hand shape with fingertips on the string, aligned over the fingerboard.
4. Describe at least two specific technique adjustments (posture, bow, left hand) that improve tone on their instrument.
5. Perform a short Tone & Technique Check exercise with mostly consistent posture, bow control, and left-hand accuracy.

Standards Alignment — Grade 5 Orchestra (custom, NAfME-style)

• OR:Pr4.5a — Demonstrate correct instrument setup and basic technique (posture, bow hold, left-hand position) to produce a clear, characteristic tone.
  • Example: Students hold the bow correctly and produce an even tone on open strings.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can sit or stand correctly with my instrument so I’m balanced and ready to play.
• I can hold my bow with curved fingers and keep the bow straight between the bridge and fingerboard.
• I can keep my left hand curved with fingertips on the string in the correct spot.
• I can get a clear, non-scratchy tone on open strings and simple notes most of the time.
• I can say what I changed (posture, bow, left hand) to make my sound better.