Singing JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA) Lesson Note

Singing 

Subject: Creative Arts (Cultural and Creative Arts)

Class: JSS2

Duration: 40 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain what solfa notation is
2. Sing the solfa notes: doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te, doh
3. Run the musical scale up and down correctly
4. Use hand signs for each solfa note
5. Sing the Nigerian National Anthem with proper pitch and rhythm
6. Demonstrate good singing posture and breathing

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Chart showing solfa ladder (d r m f s l t d)
• Chart with hand signs for each solfa note
• Picture or poster of the Nigerian National Anthem lyrics
• Keyboard or piano (if available, or use pitch pipe/tuning app)
• Nigerian flag or picture of the flag
• Chart showing proper singing posture

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Pupils can sing familiar songs. They have participated in assembly singing and know the National Anthem words, though they may not sing it with correct pitch.

LESSON CONTENT

INTRODUCTION (3 minutes)

The teacher sings “Happy Birthday” using solfa notes instead of words: “d d r d f m, d d r d s f…” then stops and asks: “What song was I singing?” Pupils recognize it’s “Happy Birthday” even though no words were used. The teacher explains: “I sang it using solfa notes – a special way musicians learn songs. Today, you’ll learn this secret language of music that will help you sing any song correctly!”

STEP 1: Understanding Solfa Notation (8 minutes)

What is Solfa Notation?

The teacher explains: Solfa notation is a system of singing where we use special syllables (doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te, doh) instead of note names. It helps us learn melodies and sing in tune.

The teacher writes on the board: d : r : m : f : s : l : t : d

Then writes the full names underneath: doh : ray : me : fah : soh : lah : te : doh

The teacher explains: “These eight notes form what we call a musical scale – like steps going up a ladder. Each note has its own sound and position.”

Why Do We Use Solfa?

• It’s easier to remember “doh ray me” than complicated musical note names
• It helps you sing in tune (on the correct pitch)
• Once you learn a song in solfa, you can sing it starting from any note
• It trains your ear to recognize different pitches
• Musicians all over the world understand solfa

The Solfa Ladder:

The teacher draws a ladder on the board with eight steps:

d (high doh) ——– Top step

t (te) ————— 7th step

l (lah) ————– 6th step

s (soh) ————– 5th step

f (fah) ————– 4th step

m (me) ————— 3rd step

r (ray) ————– 2nd step

d (low doh) ——— Bottom step

The teacher explains: “When we sing up the scale, we climb the ladder from bottom to top. When we sing down, we come back down the ladder.”

Hand Signs for Solfa Notes:

The teacher demonstrates Curwen hand signs (simple hand gestures for each note):

• doh (d): Fist at waist level
• ray (r): Flat hand angled up at chest
• me (m): Flat hand horizontal at shoulder
• fah (f): Thumb down at chin level
• soh (s): Flat hand at mouth level
• lah (l): Hand angled down at forehead
• te (t): Pointing finger up at top of head
• doh (d): Fist raised above head

The teacher practices each hand sign slowly with pupils copying.

STEP 2: Running the Scale (12 minutes)

What is Running the Scale?

The teacher explains: Running the scale means singing all the notes from low doh to high doh (going up), then from high doh back to low doh (going down), in order without stopping.

Proper Singing Posture:

Before singing, the teacher teaches correct posture:

1. Stand or sit up straight – no slouching
2. Feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart
3. Shoulders relaxed, not raised or tense
4. Chin level, not tilted up or down
5. Hands by your sides or clasped in front
6. Breathe deeply from your belly, not shallow breaths from your chest

The teacher demonstrates and pupils practice standing correctly.

Breathing Exercise:

The teacher leads a breathing exercise:

1. Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 counts
2. Hold for 2 counts
3. Breathe out slowly through your mouth for 6 counts
4. Repeat three times

The teacher explains: “Good breathing gives you the air to sing clearly and loudly.”

Singing the Scale – Going Up:

The teacher sings first as a model, using hand signs: “Doh – ray – me – fah – soh – lah – te – doh” (pitch rises with each note)

Then the teacher sings it again, and pupils join in softly. They repeat several times, getting louder and more confident each time, using hand signs together.

Singing the Scale – Going Down:

The teacher sings from high to low: “Doh – te – lah – soh – fah – me – ray – doh” (pitch falls with each note)

Pupils practice with the teacher, using hand signs that move downward.

Running the Complete Scale:

Now pupils sing up and then immediately back down without stopping: “Doh ray me fah soh lah te doh, doh te lah soh fah me ray doh”

The teacher uses a keyboard or pitch pipe to give the starting note. If no instrument is available, the teacher sings the starting “doh” and pupils match that pitch.

Practice Variations:

The teacher makes practice fun with variations:

1. Speed Change: Sing slowly, then faster, then very fast
2. Volume Change: Sing softly, then normally, then loudly
3. Without Hand Signs: Sing while standing still with good posture
4. In Groups: Boys sing up, girls sing down, then switch
5. Echo: Teacher sings “doh ray me,” pupils echo “doh ray me”

Common Mistakes to Correct:

The teacher watches for and corrects:

• Pupils who sing all notes at the same pitch (not going up or down)
• Slouching or poor posture
• Breathing from the chest instead of the belly
• Shouting instead of proper singing
• Not opening mouth enough for clear sound

STEP 3: Singing the Nigerian National Anthem (15 minutes)

The teacher displays the National Anthem lyrics and asks: “How many of you know the National Anthem?” Most hands go up. The teacher asks: “How many of you know you’re sometimes singing it at the wrong pitch?” Pupils look surprised. The teacher explains: “Today we’ll learn to sing it properly using our solfa skills!”

First Verse of Nigerian National Anthem:

Arise, O compatriots,

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

Teaching the Anthem with Solfa:

The teacher doesn’t need to teach every word in solfa notation (that’s too complex for this level), but uses solfa principles to teach correct pitch:

1. Find the Starting Note: The teacher gives the starting pitch (usually doh or soh) using keyboard or by singing it clearly. Pupils hum along to find the pitch.
2. Teach Line by Line:
   1. Teacher sings: “Arise, O compatriots” (pupils listen to the melody)
   2. Pupils repeat: “Arise, O compatriots” (trying to match the exact pitch)
   3. Teacher corrects anyone singing too high or too low
   4. Repeat until everyone sings at the correct pitch
3. Practice Difficult Parts: Some words like “compatriots” and “unity” have pitch changes. The teacher practices these words separately, showing if the pitch goes up or down.
4. Put It Together: Sing the entire first verse slowly, stopping to correct pitch errors.

Singing with Respect and Pride:

The teacher explains the proper way to sing the National Anthem:

• Stand at attention (feet together, hands by sides or behind back)
• Face the Nigerian flag if it’s present
• Sing with clear voices, not mumbling
• Show respect – this is our country’s song
• Sing with pride – you’re Nigerian!
• Don’t rush – sing at the proper tempo
• Project your voice so others can hear

Practice Performance:

The class stands properly and sings the first verse together three times:

1. First time: Slowly, focusing on correct words and pitch
2. Second time: At normal speed with good posture
3. Third time: As if performing at assembly, with full voice and pride

The teacher walks around correcting individual pupils who are off-pitch or not using proper posture.

Understanding the Words:

The teacher briefly explains what the anthem means:

• “Arise, O compatriots” = Wake up, fellow Nigerians
• “Nigeria’s call obey” = Listen and respond to our country’s needs
• “Serve our fatherland” = Work for Nigeria’s good
• “Labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” = The sacrifices of those who fought for Nigeria’s independence will always be remembered
• “One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” = We are one country united together

This helps pupils sing with understanding and emotion, not just words.

EVALUATION (2 minutes)

Practical Test:

1. Individual pupils sing the scale going up (teacher picks 3-4 pupils)
2. Different pupils sing the scale going down (teacher picks 3-4 pupils)
3. The whole class sings the National Anthem first verse together

Questions:

1. What are the eight solfa notes?
2. What does “running the scale” mean?
3. Demonstrate the hand sign for “doh”
4. What is proper singing posture?
5. Why should we sing the National Anthem with respect?

CONCLUSION

The teacher summarizes: “Today we learned the solfa notation – doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te, doh. We practiced running the scale up and down, using hand signs to help us remember each note. We also learned to sing our Nigerian National Anthem with correct pitch, proper posture, and pride. These skills will help you become better singers. Remember, singing is not just opening your mouth and making sounds – it requires proper breathing, correct posture, listening carefully, and matching the right pitch.”

The teacher encourages pupils: “Practice your scales at home every day. When you sing the National Anthem at assembly tomorrow, stand proud, sing clearly, and use the correct pitch we learned today!”