Zoltán Kodály: "Viennese Musical Clock" from Háry János Suite

Music Lesson Plans - Rondo Form
Go there: K-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-8 Cross Disciplinary Unit

The music lessons for each grade level are sequential to teach the students how to identify the Rondo form. They will also learn how to and to hear and then create their own Rondo form in various ways. The lessons can be taught individually - or as a unit from beginning to end.

Additional Rondo Form Information:

1. Rondo Form and extensions
2. Rondo Form Definition
3. Link to other rondo form examples (ideas)

Cross-Disciplinary Lesson Plans
Go there: K-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-8

Lesson focus areas include:

• Math and Music: Patterns in the Rondo From
• Math and Music: Finding the Rule
• Math and Music: Making the Graph
• Nonfiction: Kodaly the man behind the music
• Citizenship: Kodaly the music educator
• Technology: The magic of the Tape recorder

Other Classroom Related Lessons

1. Music and Poetry - the rhythm of words
2. Telling Time - digital versus analog

Other Links for Teachers and Parents

1. Classics for Kids Activity Page
2. Classics for Kids Broadcasts: Zoltán Kodály
3. Music Dictionary
4. Ohio Proficiency Standards
5. National Standards for the Arts
6. Multiple Intelligence Information

Rondo Form and Extensions

Lesson Plans Grades K-1

1. Identifying the rondo form through listening.
2. Following a listening map for "Viennese Musical Clock"
3. Creating a rondo through body rhythms
4. Creating a rondo through found instruments.

Extension Lessons

1. Creating a rondo using the Kodály approach to rhythms.
2. Recognizing quarter note and eighth note combinations using rhythmic syllables.
3. Connecting Sol and Mi to the pitches G and E.
4. Using hand signs for Sol and Mi.
5. Creating a rondo using Orff instruments.

Lesson Plans Grades 2-3

1. Identifying the rondo form through listening.
2. Following a listening map for "Viennese Musical Clock"
3. Creating a rondo through body rhythms
4. Creating a rondo through found instruments.

Extension Lessons

1. Creating a rondo using the Kodály approach to rhythms.
2. Recognizing quarter note, eighth note, quarter note rest combinations using rhythmic syllables.
3. Connecting Sol and Mi to the pitches G and E.
4. Using hand signs for Sol and Mi.
5. Creating a rondo using Orff instruments.

Lesson Plans Grades 4-5

1. Identifying the rondo form through listening.
2. Following a listening map for "Viennese Musical Clock"
3. Identifying the parts of an unfamiliar rondo. (Evaluation)
4. Creating a rondo through body rhythms
5. Creating a rondo through found instruments.

Extension Lessons

1. Creating a rondo using the Kodály approach to rhythms.
2. Recognizing quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note and dotted quarter note combinations using rhythmic syllables.
3. Connecting Sol and Mi to the pitches G and E.
4. Using hand signs for Sol and Mi.
5. Creating a rondo using Orff instruments.

Rondo Form Definition

Basic Definition | In Depth Definition
RONDO: a musical composition in which the "A" theme alternates with additional different themes. Rondos can be in the simplest form ABA. Most commonly they are in the ABACA form. In "The Viennese Musical Clock" the rondo takes the form of ABACADA.

This form was often used in the final movement of classical symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, and concertos. Its original French form was ABACAB'A. This Rondo form brought back the B section a second time with slight changes from its first appearance. Composers would later take the idea of alternating sections in the basic RONDO form and create their own forms around them. Some examples follow:

Rondo Form Examples

A B A C A D A - Kodály, Viennese Musical Clock
A B A C A D A - (BCDA) Beethoven, Violin Sonata, No. 4, op. 23, finale
A B A C A D A B' A Mozart, Sonata K. 281, finale
A B C A D A - (A) Haydn, Trio in G ma, finale, "Rondo all' Ongarese"
A B A C D A E A B' - (A) Mozart, Rondo, K. 494
A B A B' A - (trans and new) Mozart, Sonata, K. 457, finale

A-B-A-C-A (Five-Part Song Form)

Sonata-Rondo form Definition

The sonata-rondo is a hybrid form that combines the characteristics of the sonata form (ABA) and the rondo. The central "C" section acts as a development section.

|| A B A || C || A B A ||

Zoltán Kodály Links