Lesson Plan: History of Blues Music
Grade Level: 5
Subject: Music
Duration: 30 Minutes
Objectives
- Students will understand the origins of blues music.
- Students will identify key characteristics and instruments of blues music.
- Students will recognize significant figures in the history of blues.
Materials Needed
- Audio samples of blues music
- Projector/Smartboard
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handouts with key terms and significant figures
Lesson Outline
Introduction to Blues (5 minutes)
- Start with a brief introduction of blues music.
- Ask students if they have heard blues music before and what they think it sounds like.
- Explain that blues music originated in the African American communities of the Deep South in the United States around the late 19th century.
Historical Background (10 minutes)
- Discuss the origins of blues music, focusing on the following points:
- African Roots: Talk about how African musical traditions influenced blues, including the use of call-and-response patterns.
- Work Songs and Spirituals: Explain how blues evolved from work songs sung by laborers and spirituals sung in religious settings.
- The Great Migration: Describe how the movement of African Americans to cities like Chicago brought blues music to new audiences.
Characteristics of Blues Music (5 minutes)
- Explain the main characteristics of blues music, including:
- 12-Bar Blues Form: Introduce the 12-bar blues structure and play a simple example.
- Lyrics and Themes: Discuss common themes in blues lyrics, such as heartbreak and struggle.
- Instruments: Show pictures and discuss typical instruments used in blues, including guitar, harmonica, and piano.
Key Figures in Blues History (5 minutes)
- Highlight important blues musicians and their contributions. Include:
- B.B. King: Discuss his influence on blues guitar techniques.
- Muddy Waters: Talk about how he helped bring blues from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago.
- Billie Holiday: Explain her impact as a vocalist and her unique approach to blues.
Listening Activity (5 minutes)
- Play excerpts of selected blues songs:
- “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King
- “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters
- “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday
- Ask students to listen for the characteristics discussed earlier.
Conclusion and Discussion (5 minutes)
- Wrap up the lesson by inviting students to share their thoughts on the music they heard.
- Discuss how blues music has influenced other genres like rock 'n' roll and jazz.
- Hand out a summary sheet that includes key terms and figures discussed in class.
Assessment
- Students can be assessed through informal participation in discussions and by asking them to draw or write a short reflection on what they learned about blues music.
Homework (Optional)
- Students can research one blues artist and present their findings to the class in the next lesson.
This lesson plan provides a structured approach to teaching Grade 5 students about the history of blues music, integrating history, music theory, and listening skills in a 30-minute session.