Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Music: Grade 3

Other Colorado Arts sets

Expression of MusicMU.3.1

  • 1

    Perform/Demonstrate music that exhibits learned rhythmic, melodic, and introductory accompaniment components. MU.3.1.1

    1. a

      Demonstrate learned melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic phrases using expressive elements.MU.3.1.1.a

    2. b.

      Demonstrate and connect songs with multiple rhythmic or melodic ostinati in small groups.MU.3.1.1.b

    3. c

      Demonstrate and interpret melodies based on the pentatonic scale.MU.3.1.1.c

  • 2

    Perform/Demonstrate notated songs with accurate pitch, rhythm, harmony, tone and expressive elements.MU.3.1.2

    1. a

      Use accurate vocal and instrumental techniques when singing and playing instruments.MU.3.1.2.a

    2. b

      Demonstrate two-part songs (e.g., rounds, partner songs) using speech, body percussion, singing, movement, or instruments. MU.3.1.2.b

    3. c

      Use notation to accurately perform rhythms and melodic direction.MU.3.1.2.c

  • 3

    Apply teacher and peer critique and self-reflection to refine individual technique and performance of simple notated songs.MU.3.1.3

    1. a

      Engage in refinement and feedback processes to prepare music for performance. MU.3.1.3.a

    2. b

      Self-evaluate to refine musical performance. MU.3.1.3.b

    3. c

      Critique expressive elements performed by others.MU.3.1.3.c

Creation of MusicMU.3.2

  • 1

    Compose, improvise, and arrange in known musical forms using rhythm and/or pitch.MU.3.2.1

    1. a

      Create and document a melodic and/or rhythmic composition using known rhythms and pitches. MU.3.2.1.a

    2. b

      Generate and improvise musical ideas within a musical structure (e.g. rondo).MU.3.2.1.b

    3. c

      Arrange an accompaniment to support a musical idea using known rhythms or pitches. MU.3.2.1.c

Theory of MusicMU.3.3

  • 1

    Identify and demonstrate notated melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic patterns. MU.3.3.1

    1. a

      Melody: Identify and demonstrate musical symbols by name or function.MU.3.3.1.a

    2. b

      Rhythm: Identify and demonstrate four sixteenth notes, dotted half note.MU.3.3.1.b

    3. c

      Harmony: Identify, perform, or respond to harmonic changes using tonic and dominant chords (e.g., intervals, bourdun, ostinato, home tone).MU.3.3.1.c

  • 2

    Identify and demonstrate gradual tempos, dynamics, and articulations. MU.3.3.2

    1. a

      Tempo: Identify and demonstrate accelerando/ritardando.MU.3.3.2.a

    2. b

      Dynamics: Identify and demonstrate crescendo/decrescendo.MU.3.3.2.b

    3. c

      Articulation: Identify and demonstrate legato, staccato. MU.3.3.2.c

  • 3

    Identify and demonstrate advanced form, meter, and timbre elements. MU.3.3.3

    1. a

      Form/Structure: Aurally identify rondo. MU.3.3.3.a

    2. b

      Meter/Beat Groupings: Identify and demonstrate various time signatures including 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.MU.3.3.3.b

    3. c

      Timbre: Aurally identify instruments and families.MU.3.3.3.c

Response to MusicMU.3.4

  • 1

    Select and use specific criteria in making judgments about the quality of a musical performance.MU.3.4.1

    1. a

      Communicate how expressive qualities (such as dynamics, modality, tempo and meter) are used to reflect expressive intent. MU.3.4.1.a

    2. b

      Communicate similarities and differences in music.MU.3.4.1.b

  • 2

    Identify differences and commonalities in music from various cultures.MU.3.4.2

    1. a

      Describe vocal and instrumental timbres and their uses in various cultures.MU.3.4.2.a

    2. b

      Communicate similarities and differences in music used for holidays, celebrations, and day-to-day life from various cultures. MU.3.4.2.b

    3. c

      Discuss reasons that different kinds of music are important to different people and cultures.MU.3.4.2.c

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 3
Where can I read the official document?
Colorado Academic Standards – Music Adopted 2022

Find this useful?

If so, you'll love the standards search built into Common Planner.

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Arts standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

More Colorado Arts sets

Arts