The Missing Etude

Stimulus

Get hold of some sheet music (e.g. an Etude by Fernando Sor or a famous song)
Show the class the sheet music.
[Optional] Play or sing them the piece of music [if you can play an instrument or sing].
[Optional] Play them the song from an MP3 player.
[Optional] If the class know the song, have them sing it.

Task Question

• Where is [insert title of piece, e.g. Sor’s Etude]?

Nested Questions

• Is the piece the sheet music?
• Is the piece in the composer’s head?
• Is the piece in the vibrating airwaves?
• Is the piece in the act of performing it?
• Is the piece in the mind of the listeners?
• Can a deaf person hear music?
• Could it be that the piece is not spatially located?
• What is music?
• Where is music?

Extension activities

• Perform Rowland Dyens Lettre Et Neant 
• Get the group to sing happy birthday silently in their heads whilst you conduct

Download The Missing Etude