Unit Plan 19 (Grade 6 Band): Musical Elements & Form

Focus: Identify and describe musical elements (rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo) and simple form (AB/ABA) in band music.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Band (Responding • Listening/Analysis)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students learn to listen to band music like musician-analysts, not just performers. They focus on hearing and naming basic musical elements—rhythm, melody, dynamics, and tempo—and recognizing how these elements are organized into simple forms like AB and ABA. Using short recordings, band excerpts, and visual organizers, students map where sections change, how the B section contrasts with A, and how repetition and contrast help create musical shape. By the end of the unit, they will be able to point to specific moments in music and explain “what changed” and “how the form works.”

Essential Questions

• How do musical elements like rhythm, melody, dynamics, and tempo work together to shape what we hear?
• What is musical form, and how do AB and ABA forms help organize a piece of music?
• How can I tell when the music is in a new section (B) or returning to a familiar section (A)?
• How does understanding elements and form help me perform and listen to band music more thoughtfully?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify rhythm, melody, dynamics, and tempo in short band excerpts using appropriate vocabulary.
2. Recognize and label AB form (A = first section, B = contrasting section) and ABA form (A returns) in band music.
3. Use simple listening maps or diagrams to show where musical elements change between sections.
4. Describe in writing or orally how the B section is different from A (e.g., louder, softer, different melody, faster, slower).
5. Create a form map for a short piece of band music that clearly labels A/B (and A again for ABA) and highlights at least two musical element changes.

Standards Alignment — 6th Grade Band (custom, NAfME-style)

• BD:Re7.6a — Identify and describe musical elements (rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo) and simple form (AB/ABA) in band music.
  • Example: Students identify an AB form and describe how the B section changes dynamics.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can point to or describe the rhythm, melody, dynamics, and tempo in a piece of band music.
• I can tell when a piece uses AB form or ABA form and correctly label each section.
• I can explain how the B section is different from A using musical words (louder/softer, higher/lower, faster/slower, new rhythm or melody).
• I can draw or fill in a form map that shows where each section starts and ends.
• I can use what I notice about elements and form to understand and perform band music more confidently.