HISTORY AND IMPROVISATION: MAKING AMERICAN MUSIC
In this lesson, students will view the MUSIC episode, which features the skilled craftwork required to make ukuleles, trumpets, banjos, guitars, and timpani mallets. Students will hear musicians playing each of the instruments. Students will also hear the musicians talk about their personal connection to their instruments.
Additionally, the program illustrates how a study of American music is a study of American history. After viewing the episode, students will investigate connections between musicians and their instruments and between American music and American history. The studio portion of the lesson is designed around the idea of creating a maker space in which students experiment with and invent prototype instruments. Instructions are also included for a basic banjo made from a sturdy cardboard box.
Grade level: 9-12
Episode: MUSIC
DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIAL
Download the Lesson Guide and Supporting Materials as PDFs to get started in your classroom.
Music | Background Information | Vocabulary |
Discussion Questions | Further Information | Teaching Tips |
Worksheet #1 | Worksheet #2 |
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MUSIC episode: Featuring finely crafted handmade instruments and the world renowned artists who play them
David Monette talks about his trumpet making philosophy and works with Scotty Barnhart
A jam session at the Kamaka Hawaii ukulele factory with Jake Shimabukuro and the Kamakas
Joan Baez speaks about activism, her trip to Hanoi & the guitar as an instrument of change
Museum director Dick Boak shows special guitars in the C.F. Martin Museum
William L. Ellis & his father Tony Ellis on banjos, fiddle and family
Tony Ellis plays "Becky Thatcher Waltz" and talks about the Becky Thatcher riverboat
Rhiannon Giddens sings "Better Git Yer Learning"
Jim Hartel on craft, of making things daily by hand, and his experience stone carving
Banjo maker Jim Hartel shows us old banjos and plays the minstrel tune "Jim Along Josie."