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lesson plan12345678
2

Musical Elements

Overview

I.

Basic Musical Elements

II.

Improvisation

III.

Syncopation

IV.

Jazz Sounds

V.

Rhythm

VI.

Form

Student Handout

Test Bank

Answer Key

footnotes

1. For information on ordering The Instrumental History of Jazz 2-CD set, click here.

2. Student handouts can be downloaded from the Jazz in America website and photocopied.

3. Any material on the Jazz in America website may be made into a transparency as the instructor sees fit.

TOPICS:

  1. Basic Elements of Music and Terms
  2. Elements of Jazz
SESSION OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
  1. gain a fundamental understanding of basic musical elements
    1. note
    2. melody
    3. chord
    4. accompaniment
  2. gain a fundamental understanding of the musical elements found in jazz, including:
    1. improvisation
    2. syncopation
    3. jazz sounds
    4. rhythm
    5. harmony
EQUIPMENT:
  1. CD player
  2. chalkboard (with chalk and eraser)
  3. overhead projector (optional)
  4. computer logged onto www.jazzinamerica.org (optional)
MATERIALS:
  1. The Instrumental History of Jazz1 (optional)
    1. two CDs
    2. accompanying booklet
  2. Student Handouts2 (one per student)
    1. chapter glossary
    2. Conversation/Jazz Improvisation comparison sheet
    3. listening guide for Fletcher Henderson's "Wrappin' It Up" and/or Count Basie's "One O'clock Jump"
  3. Overhead projector transparencies3
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
The instructor will:
  1. distribute student handouts
  2. explain basic musical elements
    1. note
    2. melody
    3. chord
    4. accompaniment
  3. discuss basic elements of jazz
    1. improvisation
    2. syncopation
    3. jazz sounds
    4. rhythm
    5. form
  4. play "Wrappin' It Up" and/or "One O'clock Jump", following the listening guide(s) and pointing out various elements of jazz
STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
The students will:
  1. participate in a class discussion regarding basic elements of music
  2. participate in a class discussion regarding the basic elements of jazz
  3. compare improvisation with regular conversation
  4. actively attempt and experience syncopation
  5. listen to various jazz saxophonists to compare and contrast their individual sounds (tone)
  6. listen to jazz recordings while visually following their respective forms on a listening guide
ASSESSMENT:
Test Bank
  1. Multiple Choice Test
  2. Essay/Discussion Questions at the Teacher’s Discretion

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