Grade Ten Music
Throughout high school students will focus on five general outcomes: Performing/Listening, Creating, Researching, Valuing, and Attitudes.
Children’s experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your music class to introduce musicians of colour or cultural instruments. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new musician/instrument of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
7 - 12 Musicians of Colour by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Performing/Listening
Tanya Tagaq- The sounds of throat singing
Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk Canadian throat singer, explains how to manipulate your voice to make the sounds of throat singing.
Tanya Tagaq- The sounds of throat singing
Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk Canadian throat singer, explains how to manipulate your voice to make the sounds of throat singing.
- Curriculum connection:
- Understanding of the elements and structures of music - Suggested use:
- Introduction to throat singing
- Listening exercise on throat singing; what do students notice? What do they wonder about?
- Use as a resource to explore more about Inuit culture and the significance of throat singing - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Creating
Rapping, deconstructed: The best rhymers of all time
A 13-minute video looking at some of the most influential rappers of all time. The video analyzes motif, rhyme schemes and bar structure.
Rapping, deconstructed: The best rhymers of all time
A 13-minute video looking at some of the most influential rappers of all time. The video analyzes motif, rhyme schemes and bar structure.
- Curriculum connection:
- Self-expression through interpretation, improvisation, arranging and composing - Suggested use:
- Elements of music
- Vocal sounds
- Influence on a number of genres such as funk and hip hop
- History of music genres project
- Artist/musician biography project - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and hard of hearing; English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean captions available
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
Researching
Saving an Ancient Language Through Pop Music
Renata Flores is a 16-year-old singer from Peru who is using her voice to save an ancient language, Qechua, by covering popular pop songs.
Saving an Ancient Language Through Pop Music
Renata Flores is a 16-year-old singer from Peru who is using her voice to save an ancient language, Qechua, by covering popular pop songs.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Research more about 'lost' languages throughout Canada and how they are being preserved (especially within Indigenous communities)
- Discuss how language ties into empowerment and why Renata is singing in Qechua - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations may be required for hard and hearing and visually impaired students
Inuit Games with Inukshuk Aksalnik
Video and webpage of Inukshuk Aksalnik explaining the origins of Inuit throat singing as a game. Two people would take turns speeding up and slowing down their voice and mimic sounds, until someone laughed.
Video and webpage of Inukshuk Aksalnik explaining the origins of Inuit throat singing as a game. Two people would take turns speeding up and slowing down their voice and mimic sounds, until someone laughed.
- Curriculum connection:
- Uniqueness of music as communication - Suggested use:
- Students follow along using Melody Tracker from website
- Introduction to throat singing
- Use as a resource to explore more about Inuit culture and tradition - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Buffy Sainte-Marie perform 'Fancy Dancer'
Buffy Sainte-Marie performs Fancy Dancer in this video as facts about her career are shown in text. She used the power of her distinct music, coined as "disco powow" for social activism.
Buffy Sainte-Marie performs Fancy Dancer in this video as facts about her career are shown in text. She used the power of her distinct music, coined as "disco powow" for social activism.
- Curriculum connection:
- Appreciate human values as they are recorded in musical works - Suggested use:
- Comparison to popular 70's disco music and Buffy's interpretation based on her Indigenous background
- Comparison to music played during various pow wow's
- Discuss how culture and music interact with one another
- Use as a resource to research Buffy Sainte-Marie and Indigenous artists - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
João Gilbertos
A profile on João Gilbertos' life and his influence in bossa nova.
A profile on João Gilbertos' life and his influence in bossa nova.
- Curriculum connection:
- Grow in appreciation and enjoyment of music as a source of personal fulfillment - Suggested use:
- Use as introduction to different genres within Brazilian music
- Listening activity
- Use as a resource to research João Gilbertos and Brazilian artists - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations may be required for hard and hearing and visually impaired students
Silla
This documentary from CBC features Cynthia Pitsiulak and Charlotte Qamaniq, self-taught Inuit throat singers. They blend together the sounds of throat singing with electronic music along with DJ Rise Ashen.
This documentary from CBC features Cynthia Pitsiulak and Charlotte Qamaniq, self-taught Inuit throat singers. They blend together the sounds of throat singing with electronic music along with DJ Rise Ashen.
- Curriculum connection:
- Appreciate the value and uniqueness of music in all its varieties - Suggested use:
- Introduction to throat singing
- Listening exercise on throat singing; what do students notice? What do they wonder about?
- Use as a resource to explore more about Inuit culture and the significance of throat singing - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Tizita
Short documentary on how three Ethiopian musicians adapt to life in Canada.
Short documentary on how three Ethiopian musicians adapt to life in Canada.
- Curriculum connection:
- Social value of group music making - Suggested use:
- Investigate Ethiopian traditional pentatonic musical scale
- Reflection on the connections between music, culture, and identity - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations may be required for hard and hearing and visually impaired students
TED Talk: The enchanting music of sign language
Christine Sun Kim highlights the similarities between music and American Sign Language, and how she reclaims sound and music visually, with touch, and as an idea.
Christine Sun Kim highlights the similarities between music and American Sign Language, and how she reclaims sound and music visually, with touch, and as an idea.
- Curriculum connection:
- Self-expression through interpretation, improvisation, arranging and composing - Suggested use:
- Practice translating favourite song into ASL
- Discuss how music may be interpreted not just through sound
- Research more about how ASL community interacts with music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing, captioned with English and ASL
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
BTS SUGA's “Daechwita” grasps global interest in traditional Korean music
A video about BTS's SUGA and how his solo music is combining the features of traditional Korean music and rap.
A video about BTS's SUGA and how his solo music is combining the features of traditional Korean music and rap.
- Curriculum connection:
- Self-expression through interpretation, improvisation, arranging and composing - Suggested use:
- Students can research other examples of musicians blending traditional, cultural music into well-known genres of music
- Use as a resource to research more about music from Korea - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students
Valuing
The Jazz Ambassadors: Louis Armstrong and the Civil Rights Movement
A 5-minute video on Louis Armstrong's role in the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. From "The Jazz Ambassadors" series. Website includes support materials such as discussion questions, background questions, and teaching tips.
The Jazz Ambassadors: Louis Armstrong and the Civil Rights Movement
A 5-minute video on Louis Armstrong's role in the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. From "The Jazz Ambassadors" series. Website includes support materials such as discussion questions, background questions, and teaching tips.
- Curriculum connection:
- Appreciate human values as they are recorded in musical works - Suggested use:
- Discussion questions on website to use as a whole-class discussion or small group work
- Use as a resource to research about Louis Armstrong
- Use as a resource to research more about jazz
- Discuss the relationship between jazz music and the Civil Rights Movement - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
From the Vaults Series: From the Sidelines | Musicians: Buffy Sainte Marie, Jeff Healey, Maestro Fresh Wes, Harry Belafonte and Duke Ellington
Artists used music to bring marginalized voices to the mainstream. This episode features Buffy Sainte Marie, Jeff Healey, Maestro Fresh Wes, Harry Belafonte and Duke Ellington.
Artists used music to bring marginalized voices to the mainstream. This episode features Buffy Sainte Marie, Jeff Healey, Maestro Fresh Wes, Harry Belafonte and Duke Ellington.
- Curriculum connection:
- Appreciate human values as they are recorded in musical works - Suggested use:
- Use as a resource to further research one of the musicians featured in the episode - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Edmonton's nêhiyawak explores intersection between contemporary indie-rock and Cree culture
Spotlight on Nehiyawak, an Indie-rock band from Edmonton and their take on culture, community and electronic music.
Spotlight on Nehiyawak, an Indie-rock band from Edmonton and their take on culture, community and electronic music.
- Curriculum connection:
- Social value of group music making - Suggested use:
- Use as a resource to research various Indigenous musicians and create a presentation - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Attitudes
60 Years of Indigenous Music Game Changers Musicians
Interactive timeline from the 1960s to the 2010s on prominent Indigenous musicians in Canada and how they've changed history.
60 Years of Indigenous Music Game Changers Musicians
Interactive timeline from the 1960s to the 2010s on prominent Indigenous musicians in Canada and how they've changed history.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Write/present on a musician they are interested in included in the timeline
- Discuss the importance of recognition and representation in the music industry
- What popular artists right now look like you/sound like you? Why is that important?
- Small group work - each group is in charge of a decade to research and present on
- Research a small Indigenous artist they are interested in and would include in the timeline
- Connection between music of these Indigenous artists and societal events - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Oscar Peterson performs Canadian Suite
Video of one of Oscar Peterson's performances, along with subtitles describing his musical history in Canada.
Video of one of Oscar Peterson's performances, along with subtitles describing his musical history in Canada.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Use as a resource to research Oscar Peterson
- Listening example of Oscar Peterson - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Children’s experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your music class to introduce musicians of colour or cultural instruments. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new musician/instrument of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
7-12 Musical Instruments by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Researching
Introduction to Tablas
An instrument is a pair of twin hand drums with origins from India and Pakistan. Since 18th century, tabla has been the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music. This video explains what the tabla is and how to play it.
Introduction to Tablas
An instrument is a pair of twin hand drums with origins from India and Pakistan. Since 18th century, tabla has been the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music. This video explains what the tabla is and how to play it.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop knowledge of music history and literature, and their relationship to world history - Suggested use:
- Use as an introduction to tablas
- Research to find songs that incorporate tablas - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Phillippines Kubing
The kubing is a type of Philippine jaw harp from bamboo found among the Maguindanaon and other Muslim and non-Muslim tribes in the Philippines. This video is an introduction to its history and how one goes about playing it.
The kubing is a type of Philippine jaw harp from bamboo found among the Maguindanaon and other Muslim and non-Muslim tribes in the Philippines. This video is an introduction to its history and how one goes about playing it.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop knowledge of music history and literature, and their relationship to world history - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the Kubing
- Connection between instruments and culture
- Research project of instruments from around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Shakuhachi Flute
A short video introducing the shakuhachi flute. The shakuhachi is a Japanese and ancient Chinese longitudinal, end-blown flute that is made of bamboo. It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 7th century and reached its peak in the Edo period.
A short video introducing the shakuhachi flute. The shakuhachi is a Japanese and ancient Chinese longitudinal, end-blown flute that is made of bamboo. It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 7th century and reached its peak in the Edo period.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop knowledge of music history and literature, and their relationship to world history - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the shakuhachi
- Connection between instruments and culture
- Research project of instruments from around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Shamisen
A video introducing the traditional Japanese instrument, the Shamisen. It has three strings and is sometimes called the "Japanese Banjo".
A video introducing the traditional Japanese instrument, the Shamisen. It has three strings and is sometimes called the "Japanese Banjo".
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop knowledge of music history and literature, and their relationship to world history - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the shamisen; can compare it to other similar stringed instruments
- Connection between instruments and culture
- Research project of instruments from around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Valuing
T'rung and Klongput
This video demonstrates how to play two traditional Vietnamese instruments made out of bamboo: one by hitting them with mallets, and the other by clapping on the ends of the bamboo. Explanation can be found here and here.
T'rung and Klongput
This video demonstrates how to play two traditional Vietnamese instruments made out of bamboo: one by hitting them with mallets, and the other by clapping on the ends of the bamboo. Explanation can be found here and here.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Introducing different variations of percussion instruments from around the world
- Discuss using materials available in a region to create musical instruments
- Discuss the different ways humans use different objects to make different sounds and beats - Accessibility:
- No captions needed
Kora
Website describing the Kora, a West African string harp. Includes information on the instrument and a list of videos featuring kora players.
Website describing the Kora, a West African string harp. Includes information on the instrument and a list of videos featuring kora players.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the kora; can compare similar stringed instruments
- Listening activity to explore how the kora is incorporated into music
- Use as a resource for a research project on various cultural instruments around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
N'goni
Website describing the N'goni, an African harp. Includes pictures and a list of videos featuring the N'goni being played.
Website describing the N'goni, an African harp. Includes pictures and a list of videos featuring the N'goni being played.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Resource for research project of instruments from around the world
- History of the N'goni and its connections to culture - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Mbira
Website describing the Mbira, a Zimbabwe instrument, similar to a thumb piano. Includes pictures.
Website describing the Mbira, a Zimbabwe instrument, similar to a thumb piano. Includes pictures.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the Mbira and its history
- Use as a resource for a research project on various cultural instruments around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Djembe
Website includes information and videos on the Djembe, a West African drum.
Website includes information and videos on the Djembe, a West African drum.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the Djembe and its history
- Use as a resource for a research project on various cultural instruments around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Erhu
Website with information and music samples/videos of the erhu, a Chinese one-stringed violin. Includes videos of erhu players.
Website with information and music samples/videos of the erhu, a Chinese one-stringed violin. Includes videos of erhu players.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the erhu; can compare to other stringed instruments
- Use as a resource for a research project on various cultural instruments around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Pipa with the Toronto Symphonic Orchestra
This video and webpage focuses on the pipa, a stringed Chinese instrument. Rejuvenation, a Taoist Journey highlights the composer's use of musical form phrases, and the call-and-response between the pipa and other instruments to convey the spirituality of Taoism.
This video and webpage focuses on the pipa, a stringed Chinese instrument. Rejuvenation, a Taoist Journey highlights the composer's use of musical form phrases, and the call-and-response between the pipa and other instruments to convey the spirituality of Taoism.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Can be used as a listening and visual example to help teach students about melody vs harmony, and balance in a musical ensemble
- The orchestra graph highlights which instrument sections have the melody throughout the piece - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Playing the Kemanche
Video on the kemanche, an Ottoman bowed, stringed instrument. Speaks of the variations in its name, its history and how it's played.
Video on the kemanche, an Ottoman bowed, stringed instrument. Speaks of the variations in its name, its history and how it's played.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the kemanche; can compare to other stringed instruments
- Research music that incorporate the kemanche - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Musical Instruments and Performance Styles From North and South India
A website that provides information on South Asian Music and Culture. Further resources include a Question & Answer section, as well as a compilation of videos, images, and descriptions of the instruments.
A website that provides information on South Asian Music and Culture. Further resources include a Question & Answer section, as well as a compilation of videos, images, and descriptions of the instruments.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Resource for research project on cultural instruments around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available transcript
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
What is a Sarangi?
An introduction to the sarangi in which is a bowed, short-necked string instrument from the Indian subcontinent, which is used in Hindustani classical music. It is said to most resemble the sound of the human voice.
An introduction to the sarangi in which is a bowed, short-necked string instrument from the Indian subcontinent, which is used in Hindustani classical music. It is said to most resemble the sound of the human voice.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the sarangi; can compare to similar stringed instruments
- Research classical music that incorporates the sarangi - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Maracas
This resource is a website that includes simple facts about the maracas that can be seen in Latin and Caribbean music. It also includes a video introducing that the instrument and demonstrates different ways to play it.
This resource is a website that includes simple facts about the maracas that can be seen in Latin and Caribbean music. It also includes a video introducing that the instrument and demonstrates different ways to play it.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Research various ways the maracas are integrated into Latin and Caribbean music, as well as in popular music genres - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Didgeridoo from the Australian Aboriginal People
This video introduces the instrument the didgeridoo, a wind instrument, which originates from the Indigenous people of Australia.
This video introduces the instrument the didgeridoo, a wind instrument, which originates from the Indigenous people of Australia.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the didgeridoo
- Significance of the didgeridoo to the culture - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations needed for visually impaired students
Covering Rock Classics on the Ancient Gayageum
In Seoul, South Korea, Luna Lee is mixing a centuries-old Korean instrument, the gayageum, with the music of rock legends.
In Seoul, South Korea, Luna Lee is mixing a centuries-old Korean instrument, the gayageum, with the music of rock legends.
- Curriculum connection:
- Appreciate the value and uniqueness of music in all its varieties - Suggested use:
- Introduce to discuss how musicians are taking traditional instruments and creating new music with other genres of music
- Introducing different types of stringed instruments around the world
- Use for a research project on different stringed instruments around the world
- Discuss the similarities and differences they notice with the gayageum's sound, build, etc. - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Attitudes
Dan Bau: A World of Music on One String
Jason Nguyen explains this Vietnamese one-stringed instrument, how to play the instrument in order to create different pitches. He explains his own cultural memories with the instrument.
Dan Bau: A World of Music on One String
Jason Nguyen explains this Vietnamese one-stringed instrument, how to play the instrument in order to create different pitches. He explains his own cultural memories with the instrument.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Introduce to discuss how musicians are taking traditional instruments creating fusion between different musical genres
- Introducing different types of stringed instruments around the world
- Use for a research project on different stringed instruments around the world
- Discuss the similarities and differences they notice with the dan bau's sound, build, etc.
- Use to introduce components of music (pitch, beat, rhythm)
- Connections between culture and music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Why Puerto Rican Bomba is Resistance
PBS video explaining the different instruments and rhythms used in the Puerto Rican Bomba music, as well as outline the history of bomba music used in resistance music for enslaved people and now in the Black Lives Matter movement.
PBS video explaining the different instruments and rhythms used in the Puerto Rican Bomba music, as well as outline the history of bomba music used in resistance music for enslaved people and now in the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Use to explore the various instruments used in Bomba music, trying to identify them in any songs the students may know
- Connections between Bomba music and Black Lives Matter movement - music and societal connections - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Last of the Tibetan Fiddle Makers
Xianzi is a two-stringed instrument of Tibetan origin that’s not commonly seen outside of Yunnan, southwest China. Players of the traditional fiddle don’t follow sheet music, because the instrument was passed on through word-of-mouth and folk teachers.
Xianzi is a two-stringed instrument of Tibetan origin that’s not commonly seen outside of Yunnan, southwest China. Players of the traditional fiddle don’t follow sheet music, because the instrument was passed on through word-of-mouth and folk teachers.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Traditional information about fiddles and their cultural significance in Tibet, traditional musical instrument research project - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Steel Pan
Website with audio clips and historical information on the Caribbean steel pan.
Website with audio clips and historical information on the Caribbean steel pan.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the steel pan; can compare to other percussion instruments
- Connections between culture and music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing students
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Guzheng
Website for history, tunes and styles for the Chinese guzheng. Can be used with additional video: An Introduction to Guzheng.
Website for history, tunes and styles for the Chinese guzheng. Can be used with additional video: An Introduction to Guzheng.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Introducing different types of stringed instruments around the world
- Use for a research project on different stringed instruments around the world
- Connections between culture and music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing students with available captions
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
The Harmonium
The harmonium is an instrument that is classified as a pump organ, a type of free-reed organ that generates sound as air flows past a vibrating piece of thin metal in a frame. Although, it has European origins, it is commonly heard in classical Indian music. This article explains how the instrument was integrated into Indian culture.
The harmonium is an instrument that is classified as a pump organ, a type of free-reed organ that generates sound as air flows past a vibrating piece of thin metal in a frame. Although, it has European origins, it is commonly heard in classical Indian music. This article explains how the instrument was integrated into Indian culture.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Use for a research project on different percussion instruments around the world
- Connections between culture and music
- Listening activity: What does the harmonium remind them of? Does it sound similar to other instruments? What type of music might the harmonium be used in? - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing students
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students
Music of Indigenous Peoples in Canada
This website displays musical traditions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Touching on instruments that are used, traditional music styles, as well as contemporary music.
This website displays musical traditions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Touching on instruments that are used, traditional music styles, as well as contemporary music.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Use as research project on Indigenous music and musicians in Canada - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Performing/ Listening
The most mind-blowing concept in music (Harmonic Series)
Andrew Huang explains the basics of all music. He explains that a harmonic series is the sequence of frequencies, musical tones, or pure tones in which each frequency is an integer multiple of a fundamental.
The most mind-blowing concept in music (Harmonic Series)
Andrew Huang explains the basics of all music. He explains that a harmonic series is the sequence of frequencies, musical tones, or pure tones in which each frequency is an integer multiple of a fundamental.
- Curriculum connection:
- Understanding of the elements and structures of music - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce/review harmonic series - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing with available captions
- Additional accommodations needed for visually impaired students
A Pentatonic Scale Activity
Lesson plan and activity for teaching the pentatonic scale, a scale often used in East Asian music, to students.
Lesson plan and activity for teaching the pentatonic scale, a scale often used in East Asian music, to students.
- Curriculum connection:
- Understanding of the elements and structures of music - Suggested use:
- Review major and minor scales and the sounds they create
- Use lesson to introduce the pentatonic scale
- Extensions are available to adjust to each grade
- Includes audio files, visual pictures, links to nuanced words. Hands-on lesson. Students should have access to an instrument similar to the keys on the piano - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
What Makes Oriental Music different?
Article on the use of the pentatonic scale in East Asian music.
Article on the use of the pentatonic scale in East Asian music.
- Curriculum connection:
- Understanding of the elements and structures of music - Suggested use:
- Discuss the difference between the major pentatonic and major occidental scales
- Use the videos to see if students can identify the major and minor occidental scale
- Videos can be used to help students hear the difference and contrast it to the sound of a classical piece - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Researching
Why pop music is obsessed with this one note
Andrew Huang explains the significance in the use of the supertonic note in pop music for the last decade. The the supertonic is the second degree of a diatonic scale, one step above the tonic.
Why pop music is obsessed with this one note
Andrew Huang explains the significance in the use of the supertonic note in pop music for the last decade. The the supertonic is the second degree of a diatonic scale, one step above the tonic.
- Curriculum connection:
- Understanding of the elements and structures of music - Suggested use:
- Have students listen to a variety of pop music to identify the supertonic note - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed, student dependent
Form in Gamelan Music: A Music Class Activity
Lesson plan and activity for understanding Indonesian gamelan music.
Lesson plan and activity for understanding Indonesian gamelan music.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Students write a short piece using knowledge of gamelan music
- Provides links to examples of gamelan music, recommended materials for the lesson, and a worksheet - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed, student dependent
Valuing
Kotekan: A Cooperative Music Activity
Lesson plan adaptable for K-12, teaching students kotekan, the basic gamelan technique of interlocking percussion parts. Includes examples, a lesson plan, and break-down of activity. Example of Kotekan video.
Kotekan: A Cooperative Music Activity
Lesson plan adaptable for K-12, teaching students kotekan, the basic gamelan technique of interlocking percussion parts. Includes examples, a lesson plan, and break-down of activity. Example of Kotekan video.
- Curriculum connection:
- Social value of group music making - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the rhythm of a kotekan
- Practice the rhythms together as a class
- Extensions and modified activities are available as well - Accessibility:
- Includes audio files, visual pictures, links to nuanced words, hands-on lesson, students should have access to both a percussion and a melody instrument
- Accommodations needed
An Introduction to Sega: The Music and Dance of Mauritius
Includes lesson plans on how to introduce sega into the classroom, along with a dance and singing activity. Adaptable for K-12.
Includes lesson plans on how to introduce sega into the classroom, along with a dance and singing activity. Adaptable for K-12.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Prior to, familiarize self with Mauritius and Sega music using the resources provided in the website
- Introduce Mauritius and its history to students
- Listen to recordings of Sega music and identify what instruments they hear (Suggested discussion questions are also available within the resource)
- Can use the Dancing or Singing Activity to further help students understand the rhythm and feel of Sega music - Accessibility:
- Includes audio files, visual pictures, links to nuanced words, hands-on lesson, requires access to a map
- Accommodations needed
Message Drums
This lesson plan includes an explanation and discussion of message drums, and an activity demonstrating how they are used.
This lesson plan includes an explanation and discussion of message drums, and an activity demonstrating how they are used.
- Curriculum connection:
- Uniqueness of music as communication - Suggested use:
- Prior to lesson, have drums set up
- Discuss how music is a way for us to communicate with people. Introduce how some cultures would use drums to communicate different messages
- In groups, students create their own drum codes and play a game of telephone to see if the message was communicate properly - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Talking Drums
Adaptable lesson plan for K-12 to teach student about tonal language, talking drum, message drum, their relationships to one another and how to change the pitch of a drum.
Adaptable lesson plan for K-12 to teach student about tonal language, talking drum, message drum, their relationships to one another and how to change the pitch of a drum.
- Curriculum connection:
- Uniqueness of music as communication - Suggested use:
- Explain and show what a talking drum is
- Stretching Raises the Pitch Activity: demonstrate how pitch can be changed with rubber bands
- Tonal Language Activity: use game to show how tone affects the meaning of what we say
- Talking Kazoos: build kazoos and have students experiment if students can communicate without words to each other by just recognizing the tones a person is using
- Rhythms of Language Activity: review strong and weak syllables and assign a sound to them. Create a sentence and create the rhythm by clapping or beating the drum - Accessibility:
- Includes PDF handout, suggestions on how to make the lesson more experiential (visuals, demos)
- Tonal language activity may be difficult to transcribe for audio-impaired students
- Accommodations needed, student dependent
Didjeridu Activities
This is a lesson plan for a set of simple classroom activities, suitable for a wide range of student ages and abilities, to introduce them to the didjeridu, a traditional Aboriginal Australian instrument. Note: Requires materials to make a didjeridu and prep to adapt information regarding the instrument/origin.
This is a lesson plan for a set of simple classroom activities, suitable for a wide range of student ages and abilities, to introduce them to the didjeridu, a traditional Aboriginal Australian instrument. Note: Requires materials to make a didjeridu and prep to adapt information regarding the instrument/origin.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Create didjeridus in class
- Show the technique to play a didjeridu and how its technique is similar to brass instruments
- In small groups, explore the structure of a didjeridu - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Caribbean Music: Calypso and Found Percussion
This link includes several different activities related to Calypso music. There is a short Introduction to Calypso music, songs to sing with calypso-style rhythms, a "found percussion" activity, Calypso-style rhythms to play on percussion, and a creative writing activity. There are also suggestions for finding recordings to listen to. Adaptable for K-12.
This link includes several different activities related to Calypso music. There is a short Introduction to Calypso music, songs to sing with calypso-style rhythms, a "found percussion" activity, Calypso-style rhythms to play on percussion, and a creative writing activity. There are also suggestions for finding recordings to listen to. Adaptable for K-12.
- Curriculum connection:
- Develop understanding of music of world cultures - Suggested use:
- Discuss how calypso music was influence by Africans who were brought over to South America, Central America and the Caribbean
- Students listen to Calypso and ask them what they notice
- Talk about how early steel pan drums were created - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Attitudes
Decolonizing the Music Room: Lunar New Year
This resource explains the importance in recognizing differences and similarities between Asian cultures, groups and diaspora in regarding to celebrating the Lunar New Year. The resource also includes links to popular folk songs. Can also use with the resource: Decolonizing the Music Room: Emergent Strategies for an Activist in Music Education.
Decolonizing the Music Room: Lunar New Year
This resource explains the importance in recognizing differences and similarities between Asian cultures, groups and diaspora in regarding to celebrating the Lunar New Year. The resource also includes links to popular folk songs. Can also use with the resource: Decolonizing the Music Room: Emergent Strategies for an Activist in Music Education.
- Curriculum connection:
- Contributions of music to cultural heritage and civilizations - Suggested use:
- Have students research about Lunar Year and types of instruments used for Lunar New Year music
- "Shanghai Restoration Project's Album: Zodiac" can be used to listen to the different sounds and tempos of each animal in the Chinese Zodiac - Accessibility:
- Accommodations needed
Decolonizing the Music Room
Helping music educators develop critical practices through research, training and discourse to build a more equitable future. Includes posts on songs, stories, resources and how to use strategies in practice.
Helping music educators develop critical practices through research, training and discourse to build a more equitable future. Includes posts on songs, stories, resources and how to use strategies in practice.
Chapter 13: Musical Multiculturalism and Diversity
This chapter will look at the history of multiculturalism and diversity education, the field of ethnomusicology, and strategies for teaching using multicultural music aesthetics. It also includes case studies from several different culture areas.
This chapter will look at the history of multiculturalism and diversity education, the field of ethnomusicology, and strategies for teaching using multicultural music aesthetics. It also includes case studies from several different culture areas.
Embracing Unfamiliar Cultures in the Music Classroom
This article provides guidance on navigating the lesson design process for music teachers to move beyond the “additive” approach. Teachers can adopt a “multicultural reconstructionist perspective” (Sleeter & Grant, 2006) by encouraging their students to analyze music from social, historical, and political perspectives, inviting them to engage in social criticism and to challenge mainstream structures supporting inequity.
This article provides guidance on navigating the lesson design process for music teachers to move beyond the “additive” approach. Teachers can adopt a “multicultural reconstructionist perspective” (Sleeter & Grant, 2006) by encouraging their students to analyze music from social, historical, and political perspectives, inviting them to engage in social criticism and to challenge mainstream structures supporting inequity.
