Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Press the following tabs to access today’s vocabulary.
Let’s get started!
Examine Norval Morrisseau’s painting called Floral Theme in Two Parts.
What do you notice about the two sides of the painting?
How are the two sides the same?
How are the two sides different?
Record your ideas digitally, as an audio recording, or on paper.
Floral Theme in Two Parts, by Norval Morrisseau, 1980-85
This painting is called Floral Theme in Two Parts. It has a blue background and shows a two-part image facing each other. In each section is a red, orange, and pink flower with two blooms and 4 green leaves. Each leaf is green with an orange circle filled with yellow and red circles. There are two birds on either side resting on the flowers. They appear to be looking at the other side of the painting at each other. The birds have a black outline with layers of oval colours of purple, pink and yellow.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Let’s revisit Norval Morrisseau’s painting in the Minds On.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Norval Morrisseau was an Indigenous artist from Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (formerly known as Sand Point First Nation). He taught himself how to paint. His paintings often had thick black outlines and bright colours. His grandfather taught him about his culture and traditions when he was young. His grandfather’s teachings inspired some of the elements he included in his paintings.
This painting is called Floral Theme in Two Parts. It has a blue background and shows a two-part image facing each other. In each section is a red, orange, and pink flower with two blooms and 4 green leaves. Each leaf is green with an orange circle filled with yellow and red circles. There are two birds on either side resting on the flowers. They appear to be looking at the other side of the painting at each other. The birds have a black outline with layers of oval colours of purple, pink and yellow.
Did you notice that the two parts are not exactly the same?
The painting Floral Theme in Two Parts is made up of two parts.
Did you know?
Did you know?
A piece of art that is created in two parts is called a diptych. (pronounced dip-tick). A diptych can be a painting, drawing, carving, or photo.
AB form
This painting is called Floral Theme in Two Parts. It has a blue background and shows a two-part image facing each other. In each section is a red, orange, and pink flower with two blooms and 4 green leaves. Each leaf is green with an orange circle filled with yellow and red circles. There are two birds on either side resting on the flowers. They appear to be looking at the other side of the painting at each other. The birds have a black outline with layers of oval colours of purple, pink and yellow. There is a black line around the first half of the painting and next to it is the letter A. There is a black line around the second half of the painting and next to it is the letter B.
Let’s divide the painting into two parts, A and B.
Both A and B parts include:
- red flowers
- green leaves
- yellow and orange butterflies
- purple and yellow birds
- a blue background
While the two parts are very similar, they are also different.
For example, where the birds and the butterflies are is different.
Butterflies
Press the following tabs to access the butterflies in Part A and Part B.
In part A, there are three butterflies. There are two at the top of the painting. There is one at the bottom.
In part B, there are also three butterflies. They are all closer to the top of the painting.
Birds
Press the following tabs to access the birds in Part A and Part B.
In part A, there are two birds. One bird sits on the top flower. The other bird sits on the bottom flower.
In part B, there are two birds. One bird sits on the top flower. The other bird sits on a flower bud in the middle of the painting.
The differences in the parts create contrast.
Press ‘Definition’ to learn the definition of the word contrast.
A principle of design. Contrast is the use of opposite kinds of art elements. Contrast can be created by using rough and smooth textures. Contrast can also be created by using dark and light values.
Music that has two different or contrasting parts is called AB form.
In music, the beat is a steady sound that goes through the whole song or poem. It helps us stay together and keep time!
Press 'Beat and rhythm' to review these concepts.
Music also has a rhythm.
Rhythm is made up of long (stretched) and short sounds and silences.
One sound on a beat is called ta.
Two sounds on a beat is called ti-ti.
A sound that stretches over two beats is called ta-ah.
A silent beat is called ta rest.
Here is an example of how the ‘A’ part rhythm of the painting might sound to someone.
This painting is called Floral Theme in Two Parts. It has a blue background and shows a two-part image facing each other. In each section is a red, orange, and pink flower with two blooms and 4 green leaves. Each leaf is green with an orange circle filled with yellow and red circles. There are two birds on either side resting on the flowers. They appear to be looking at the other side of the painting at each other. The birds have a black outline with layers of oval colours of purple, pink and yellow. There is a black line around the first half of the painting and next to it is the letter A.
Explore this audio clip to hear how the A part might sound to someone.
Ta, ti-ti, ta-ah
Follow along with the image as you explore the audio. If possible, clap, tap, or speak the rhythm.
A chart with two lines of four squares. There is a legend above it with four symbols. The first symbol is two vertical lines with a horizontal line at the top connecting them. Underneath is the word ti-ti. The second symbol is a straight vertical line. Underneath is the word ta. The third symbol is a vertical line with a circle attached to the bottom end. The circle is not filled in. Underneath is the word ta-ah. The fourth symbol is a wavy line with the word rest underneath it. The first line of four squares has the letter A beside it. The first square has a vertical line, the word ta, and a small heart underneath it. The second square has two vertical lines with a horizontal line at the top connecting them, the word ti-ti and a small heart underneath. The third square has a vertical line with a circle attached ot the bottom end. The circle is not filled in. Underneath is the word ta with a hyphen next to it. Underneath that is a small heart. In the fourth square is the word ah with a small heart underneath. The second line of four squares has the letter B next to it. Each of the four squares has a small heart underneath.
Explore this audio clip to hear another example of how the A part might sound to someone.
Ta, shh, ta, ta
Follow along with the image as you explore the audio. If possible, clap, tap, or speak the rhythm.
A chart with two lines of four squares. There is a legend above it with four symbols. The first symbol is two vertical lines with a horizontal line at the top connecting them. Underneath is the word ti-ti. The second symbol is a straight vertical line. Underneath is the word ta. The third symbol is a vertical line with a circle attached to the bottom end. The circle is not filled in. Underneath is the word ta-ah. The fourth symbol is a wavy line with the word rest underneath it. The first line of four squares has the letter A beside it. The first square has a vertical line with the word ta underneath it and the small heart underneath the word. The second square has a wavy line, the word rest underneath it, and a small heart underneath the word. The third square has a vertical line with the word ta underneath it and a small heart underneath the word. The fourth square has a vertical line with the word ta underneath it and a small hear underneath the word. The second line of four squares has the letter B next to it. Each of the four squares has a small heart underneath.
Go!
Now let’s return to the ‘B’ part of the painting.
This painting is called Floral Theme in Two Parts. It has a blue background and shows a two-part image facing each other. In each section is a red, orange, and pink flower with two blooms and 4 green leaves. Each leaf is green with an orange circle filled with yellow and red circles. There are two birds on either side resting on the flowers. They appear to be looking at the other side of the painting at each other. The birds have a black outline with layers of oval colours of purple, pink and yellow. There is a black line around the second half of the painting and next to it is the letter B.
Do you think the ‘B’ part would have the exact same rhythm as the ‘A’ part of the painting?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn if the B part would have the exact same rhythm as the A part.
No, because the ‘A’ part and ‘B’ part are different.
Now it’s your turn.
Come up with your own rhythm for the ‘B’ part of the painting.
Complete the B Part Rhythm Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press ‘Possible Answer’ to explore an example of how the ‘B’ part rhythm might sound to someone.
Explore the audio for the B part rhythm.
Tah, shh, ta-ah
A chart with two lines of four squares. There is a legend above it with four symbols. The first symbol is two vertical lines with a horizontal line at the top connecting them. Underneath is the word ti-ti. The second symbol is a straight vertical line. Underneath is the word ta. The third symbol is a vertical line with a circle attached to the bottom end. The circle is not filled in. Underneath is the word ta-ah. The fourth symbol is a wavy line with the word rest underneath it. The first line of four squares has the letter A beside it. Each box has a small heart in it. The second line of four squares has the letter B beside it. The first square has a vertical line, the word ta underneath, and a small heart underneath the word. The second square has a wavy line, the word rest underneath, and a small heart underneath the word. The third square has a vertical line with an empty circle attached to the bottom and the word ta with a hyphen. Underneath the word is a small heart. The fourth square has the word ah and a small heart underneath the word.
Reflection
Examine the following image, compare parts A and B.
How are they different? How are they the same?
Explore this audio to hear the AB rhythm.
Ta, ti-ti, ta-ah, Ta, shh, ta-ah
A chart with two lines of four squares. There is a legend above it with four symbols. The first symbol is two vertical lines with a horizontal line at the top connecting them. Underneath is the word ti-ti. The second symbol is a straight vertical line. Underneath is the word ta. The third symbol is a vertical line with a circle attached to the bottom end. The circle is not filled in. Underneath is the word ta-ah. The fourth symbol is a wavy line with the word rest underneath it. The first line of four squares has the letter A beside it. The first square has a vertical line with the word ta underneath it and a small heart underneath the word. The second square has two vertical lines connected by a horizontal line and the words ti-ti underneath. Underneath the word is a small heart. The third square has a half note which is a vertical line with an empty circle attached to the bottom. Underneath is the word ta with a hyphen and a small heart. The fourth square has the word ah with a small heart underneath. The second line of four squares has the letter B beside it. The first square has a vertical line with the word ta underneath it and a small heart underneath the word. The second square has a wavy line, the word rest, and a small heart underneath the word. The third square has a half note which is a vertical line with an empty circle attached to the bottom. Underneath is the word ta with a hyphen and a small heart. The fourth square has the word ah with a small heart underneath.
Press ‘Answer’ to access how similar and different A and B are.
Beat 2 of the ‘A’ part is ti-ti. Beat 2 of the ‘B’ part is a ta rest.
Beats 1, 3, and 4 are the same.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Create your own AB rhythm. You can use the same painting by Morrisseau if you choose.
Use ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest for each of the beats (hearts) to create the rhythm.
Complete the My AB Rhythm in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
If possible, play your rhythm. You can use body percussion, your voice, found objects, or other instruments!
Portfolio
Tell me about it
In this Learning Activity, you created an AB rhythm pattern.
- Did you use ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or rest?
- Compare parts A and B of your AB rhythm. How are they different? How are they the same?
- What is something you would like to share about what you did in this lesson? What do you want to continue to practice?
Share what you learned about today using the words AB form, ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest.
You can choose to:
- draw and label the important parts using the words AB form, ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest
- tell someone using the words AB form, ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest
- write about it using the words AB form, ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest
- make a recording using the words AB form, ti-ti, ta, ta-ah, or ta rest
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.