Music & Art: A Trip to the Museum!

INTRODUCE descriptive terms for music and art

1. Write the following five words on a white board or screen for students to see:

   • Color/Timbre

   • Rhythm

   • Form

   • Style

   • Texture

2. Say to students, “Here are five terms that are used to describe both pieces of music and works of art. Together with a partner or small group, discuss each word and see if you can define it in terms of both music and art. Make an educated guess if you are uncertain.”

3. After students discuss, briefly explain each word in the context of art and music.

   • Color/Timbre (TAM-ber)
     In art: the visual perception of a certain quality
     In music: the unique sound of an object, whether it be an instrument or a voice

   • Rhythm
     In art: the principle of design that suggests movement; often achieved through repeating visual patterns
     In music: the duration of sound in time; often occurs in patterns

   • Form
     In art: an element that describes shape
     In music: the structure or organization of a piece of music

   • Style
     In art: distinctive visual characteristics that make it possible to group works of art into categories of similarity or difference
     In music: distinctive sound characteristics that make it possible to group musical work in categories of similarity or difference

   • Texture
     In art: perceived surface quality in art
     In music: how various elements (melody, rhythm, harmony, instrumentation) combine to create an overall sound quality
     

4. Watch this Class Notes video about what music shares with art.

APPLY descriptive terms to music and art

1. Guide students to apply the five vocabulary terms to specific music/art pairings. Each linked piece of art goes with a piece of music.

2. As you show each artwork and play each piece, invite students to take notes about what they see and hear, using the vocabulary words that describe different elements of art and music. A grid like the printable charts attached to this lesson include charts for these music/art pairings, as well as two blank charts for students to try other music/art pairings!

   • A self-portrait by artist Frida Kahlo pairs with Toccata for Percussion by composer Carlos Chávez.

     

     

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     Toccata for Percussion I. Allegro sempre giusto

     

   • This sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara, titled Light My Fire, goes with the main theme from the Princess Mononoke soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi.

     

     

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     Princess Mononoke Main Theme

     

3. Ask students, “What's your favorite style of art? What's your favorite style of music? Try describing your preferences using the terms you learned today.”