Music & Rhythm

Baby startles or turns head towards a new sound

Baby shows recognition of familiar voices and songs

Baby begins to imitate sounds and babbles in response to music

Baby shows excitement or quiets down in response to music

Baby moves body, arms, or legs in response to a steady beat

Baby attempts to clap or bounce along with the music

Baby is soothed by the sound of a caregiver's singing voice

Baby makes eye contact and smiles during musical interactions

Baby anticipates familiar songs and musical games

Responding to music with whole-body movement.

Clapping or tapping to a steady beat.

Imitating simple rhythm patterns.

Babbling and cooing in response to music.

Imitating simple sounds and tones.

Singing short, recognizable phrases from songs.

Exploring sounds of different objects and instruments.

Clapping or tapping along to a simple, steady beat.

Using simple percussion instruments to keep a steady beat with music.

Listening to and imitating simple sounds and vocalizations.

Singing short, familiar songs with some pitch accuracy.

Matching pitches and singing simple melodies in tune.

Echoing simple melodic patterns accurately.

Singing short, familiar songs in tune with accompaniment.

Singing familiar songs in tune without accompaniment.

Clapping or tapping to a steady beat.

Playing simple rhythm patterns on an instrument.

Creating and repeating more complex rhythm patterns.

Singing parts of a song, like the chorus.

Singing a simple song from beginning to end with some accuracy.

Singing multiple simple songs from memory with accurate pitch and rhythm.

Exploring the sounds of different simple instruments.

Playing an instrument to a steady beat.

Using an instrument to play a simple rhythmic or melodic pattern.

Recognize the music staff, treble clef, and basic notes (whole note, half note, quarter note).

Identify notes on the treble clef (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) and understand their corresponding keys on a piano or other instrument.

Read and play simple melodies from sheet music, incorporating correct rhythm and pitch.

Read and play music with increasing complexity, including different key signatures, time signatures, and dynamics.

Explore different musical instruments and choose one to learn. Develop proper posture and hand position for the chosen instrument.

Learn to play simple scales and exercises. Play short, familiar songs with correct notes and basic rhythm.

Play longer and more complex pieces with increasing accuracy and musicality. Begin to learn about dynamics and articulation.

Perform in front of others, either solo or in an ensemble. Explore improvisation and composition on the instrument.

Explore and identify different meters (e.g., 3/4, 4/4, 6/8) through listening and movement.

Perform complex rhythmic patterns, including syncopation and polyrhythms, using body percussion and instruments.

Compose and notate rhythmic pieces in various meters, demonstrating an understanding of rhythmic theory.

Learn to play a part in a simple ensemble piece, focusing on listening to others and staying in time.

Develop skills in blending, balancing, and intonation within a small group.

Perform in a larger ensemble, following a conductor and interpreting musical dynamics and expression.

Experiment with creating simple melodies and chord progressions using an instrument or software.

Write lyrics and set them to music, learning about song structure (verse, chorus, bridge).

Compose a complete song with multiple instrumental parts and a clear musical form.

Understanding diatonic chords, basic chord progressions, and figured bass.

Analyzing and composing with seventh chords, secondary dominants, and modulations to closely related keys.

Advanced harmonic techniques such as chromatic harmony, modal interchange, and extended tertian harmonies.

Exploring post-tonal theory, including set theory and serialism, and applying it to composition and analysis.

Sight-singing simple diatonic melodies in major and minor keys.

Singing melodies with chromatic alterations and simple modulations.

Sight-singing complex, atonal melodies and transcribing multi-part excerpts.

Transcription of full orchestral or choral pieces by ear.

Composing simple melodies over given chord progressions and improvising using pentatonic scales.

Writing multi-part compositions (e.g., for a string quartet or vocal ensemble) and improvising over more complex harmonic structures.

Composing in larger forms (e.g., sonata form, theme and variations) and demonstrating a unique improvisational voice.

Orchestration for various ensembles and advanced improvisational concepts such as polytonality and free improvisation.