8th Grade Music Syllabus

Mrs. Welfare2012/2013

UNIT 1West African drumming

We will:* Review rhythms from 6th and 7th grade music class/ learn more

complex rhythms• Play tubanos and other percussion instruments in a drum circle• Learn several authentic West African drum ensembles• Practice the techniques of call/echo, question/answer, and

call/response (click for definitions)

Culminating project:Working with a small group, you will create a 16 measure

call/response rhythm piece and perform it for the class

Unit 2The Blues

We will:• Listen to and discuss some of the earliest blues ever recorded• Discuss and read about the origin of the blues• Look closely at the lyric structure of the blues• Study the harmonies and melodies that make up a blues song• Compare and contrast, through listening, various artists’ rendition of the

blues

Culminating project: In small groups you will write 3 verses of lyrics in blues format, learn

accompaniment on piano or guitar, add in improv verses, and perform these for the class.

Unit 3Popular music artists: then and now

We will:

•Listen to various genres of popular music and use discussions, written response, and group activities to further our knowledge of these genres•Read articles that will help us “get to know” popular musicians•Discuss, debate, and write about our own personal likes/ dislikes of popular music:• What makes us like a specific artist and/or genre?• What actually makes popular music “popular”?• Is there any music that is truly “not good”?• How can we begin to decipher between artists that are producing creatively and those that

merely copycats?

Culminating project: You will choose an artist to research. The information that you find will be presented to the class using one of several modes of presentation. I will give you the outline of info to find as well as discuss with you each option for presentation.

West African drumming techniques (these are all conversational in nature)

Call/Echo: Lead person plays a rhythm, the group responds with the same exact rhythm.

Call/ Response: Lead person plays a rhythm. The groups responds with a different, pre-determined rhythm. Each time the leader plays, the group responds with the SAME rhythm they played the first time.

Question/ Answer: Lead person plays a rhythm, one individual responds with anything other than the leader’s rhythm. Each person in the circle gets a turn to respond to the leader. The lead drummer’s rhythm remains the SAME. Each answer is different.

Here is an excellent site for research if your singer/ band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Check it out!Note: don’t let the name fool you- artists from all genres have been inducted!

http://www.rockhall.com