Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
MUSIC Project Plans MYTHS AND LEGENDS Music Project 1 - Mythical music (Key Stages 1 and 2) Aims of the lesson: To learn about ancient Greek myths about the origins of music and look at some modern-day instruments mentioned in Greek myths. Activity: One of the most famous musical instruments to be mentioned in ancient Greek myths is the pan pipe. According to myth, the Greek god Pan met a beautiful nymph called Syrinx. She ran away from him and didn't stop to hear his compliments, but he pursued her from Mount Lycaeum until she came to the bank of the River Ladon where he overtook her. She called on the water nymphs for help. Just as Pan laid hands on her, she was turned into the river reeds. When the air blew through the reeds, it produced a plaintive melody. Pan took some of the reeds to make an instrument which he called a syrinx (pan pipes), in honour of the nymph. Lt should be fairly easy to obtain some pan pipes. Show this instrument to the pupils and give them the opportunity to play the pan pipes. lt is one of the easiest instruments to play, so no musical ability is needed. There are other myths that involve music: Orpheus could make such beautiful music that even trees and animals would crowd around him to listen. Orpheus was in love with Eurydice. But she got bitten by a snake and died inconsolable. Hewent down to the Underworld, playing his music as skillfully as he could, mesmerising the guards. Moved by his music, Hades told him to go back, promising to send Eurydice after him. The only condition was that Orpheus not look back on his way up. Orpheus started on his way back, but when he had almost reached the light, he could not resist and turned around. He saw his beloved Eurydice's shadow dissolve behind him. Orpheus tried to go back, but he could no longer get into the Underworld. Then Orpheus started wandering around the world, playing his harmonious music, until he was murdered, and he went to the Underworld to be with his Eurydice. Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto, is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The god Apollo was worshipped by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Pan challenged Apollo to a music contest. Pan blew on his pipes, and was just as pleased with himself as his great follower Midas. Then Apollo struck the strings of his lyre. Apollo was deemed to be the winner of the contest. But Midas did not agree with the judgment. ln punishment, Apollo gave him donkey's ears. Marsyas was a satyr who challenged Apollo to a contest of music. He had found a flute on the ground, tossed away after being invented by Athena because it made her cheeks puffy. Marsyas lost and was flayed alive in a cave. His blood turned into the river Marsyas. Another variation is that Apollo played his instrument (the lyre) upside down. Marsyas could not and so Apollo hung him from a tree and flayed him alive. lf you want to review this information with the class, the Music Project 1 resources file offers this information as a projectable PDF and PowerPoint presentation. Ask the pupils to research some ancient Greek and Roman myths that involve music or musical instruments. There are a number of musical instruments mentioned by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They include: aulos or flute, bells, pan pipes, lyre, harp, horns and drums. In mythology, music was believed to be inspired by muses. The Music Project 1 resources file offers an information sheet on the nine muses. Extension: To extend this project, ask the pupils what type of musical instrument they would choose if they were an angry god/goddess or a happy god/goddess? Ask the pupils to think about the sounds that different musical instruments offers, such as drums can sound loud and angry or flutes can sound happy and joyful. The Music Project 1 resources file includes an information sheet on mythical muses and information on myths and music provided as a PDF and PowerPoint presentation. MUSIC PROJECT 1 - Resources MYTHS AND LEGENDS MUSIC PROJECT 1 - Resources MYTHS AND LEGENDS