RSA Core Music Curriculum

Primary Grades

Rhythm
Steady beat
Tempo
Accent
Duple & triple meters
Intermediate and traditional notation
Note duration/values (whole, half, quarter, eighth)
Rests
Rhythmic ostinati
Rhythmic phrase and vocalization (speech and poetry)
Percussion techniques
Rhythmic imitation and improvisation
Complimentary rhythms
Polyrhythm

Melody/Harmony
Pentatonic scales
Major scales
Major and minor chords
Modes (Dorian, Mixolydian)
Key signatures (C, A minor, F, D minor, G and E minor)
Pitch matching
Melodic ostinati
Improvisation
Intervals (3rds, 5ths)
Ensembles
Orff instruments (xylophones)
Drones (simple, single-moving, double-moving, broken, combinations)

Timbre (tone color)
Voice
Xylophones
Unpitched percussion instruments
Electronic instruments
Body percussion
Sounds of the orchestra/instruments of the orchestra
Recorders

Movement
Body awareness
Basic locomotor
Non-locomotor
Space-time effort
Contrast
Choreography
Chorelography
Folk Dances
Creative movement/improvisation

Cultural Focus
Cultures/Historic events being studied (thematic/cross-curricular)
Music games
Folk dances
Traditional songs
Drama/theater/stories
Composers
Listening exercises
Music appreciation

Form
Motive
Phrase
Section
Verse-chorus (refrain)
Rondo (AB, ABA, ABACA, etc.)
Introductions
Coda
Cadenza

Recorder
(Selected classes only)
Posture
Breath
Fingering techniques
Reading notation
Improvisation
Ensemble work