Downfall of the Shang

Tell children the story of the downfall of the Shang dynasty. Children improvise a composition to accompany the story. Note down what tempo, pitch and timbre each part of the orchestra plays during each section of the story.

Teaching Outcomes:

• To learn about the end of the Shang Dynasty.
• To compose a piece to accompany the story of the fall of the Shang.

Children will:

• Improvise a piece of music to tell a story.
• Contribute to a composition that tells a story.
• Perform a composition to tell a story.

• The Shijing
• Story about the downfall of the Shang from the Shijing
• Musical notation
• Composition template
• Example of Chinese melody using western notation

• Bells
• Pan pipes
• Flutes
• Drums
• Cymbals
• Ocarinas
• Chimes

Using music to illustrate character from bbc.co.uk
Using dynamics to create mood from bbc.co.uk
Use of texture to create interest from bbc.co.uk
Use of harmony from bbc.co.uk
Duration and tempo to create mood from bbc.co.uk
Some ideas of changing tempo can change the mood of the music from bbc.co.uk