May 7, 2012


Grade 7: The goals for this week are to learn about the context of the blues and become familiar with the many   sounds of the blues through videos, recordings and text.  We will begin by reviewing the blues scale and improvising simple patterns.  We will watch the video "Going Home" which chronicles the 120 year history of the blues, it's journey after slavery from the Mississippi Delta to northern cities in the USA, and the birth of rock'n roll and other modern genres.  We will listen to additional recordings and will read a short summary of  blues history. Students will begin listing the important historical points on their Blues Soup sheet.  During the second class of the week, students will learn about the form and topics of blues lyrics and be asked to compose a verse or two in traditional blues style.If time permits, we will play "Frere Jaques Blues" by altering some notes  - changing them to "blue notes" in our method books.
Homework:
Complete the blues lyrics sheet and compose your own blues verse(s). Practise the traditional and blues versions of "Frere Jaques"


Grade 8:
The goals for this week are to review the elements of dance and explore ways to incorporate them when performing simple 4 beat rhythm patterns,  and in groups of 8, begin composing the polyphonic section of our final STOMP routines.
We will begin with a period of movement and then will discuss forming groups which focus on their strengths as "STOMPERS".  Once groups are formed, students will select roles and begin composing their first musical section and practise performing it with lummi sticks.
Students will decide upon the object which will become their instrument for the project.  Each student will be required to have that object for the next class.
Homework:
Bring object (instrument) next week.  Practise clapping/performing their pattern (A, B, C or D) from memory.