Objectives:
*Students will study the life of a famous jazz musician – Louis Armstrong.
*Students will complete a quiz about Louis Armstrong on our website.
*Students will complete one or two pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Level 1A (varies based on student level).
Materials:
Alfred 1A Piano Books, keyboards and related equipment, computers with our website posted, recording of a composition by Louis Armstrong, worksheets – Unit 1 – Louis Armstrong, from Meet the Great Jazz Legends (Alfred).
Procedures:
1) The teacher will introduce Unit 1 – Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). Students should read aloud the story of the life of Louis Armstrong. The teacher will play a selection of music from Louis Armstrong (What A Wonderful World - MP3 - iTunes). Show a brief video clip of Louis Armstrong (filmed in 1933) from Jazz: A Multimedia History.
2) The students will complete the ‘Quiz on Louis Armstrong’ quiz on our website. http://www.musictechteacher.com/quiz_armstrong_louis01.htm. Record the grade for each student or have the student print the score if a printer is available. Students that receive a high score may get a reward (music pencil, stickers, buttons).
3) Students will complete various pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Book 1 based on individual student progress. Video tape (digital camera) some of the students and post it immediately using the projector for review and feedback. (4th and 5th Grade – Pages 26-33 – C Position – Left and Right Hands). Use the projector and Sibelius to complete a note drill and rhythm practice of the notes C-D-E-F-G.
4) If time allows, students may play some of the other quizzes on our website related to other jazz musicians. A Jazz Musician Help Page is available on the site to read about other jazz musicians and listen to clips of music by each musician. Students may also work on Sibelius music notation projects.
Ask students to notice.......
- From reading the story about Louis Armstrong….Armstrong was known as the first improviser of jazz music. What does the word ‘improvise’ mean? (Music that is created spontaneously.)
- Name some of Armstrong’s famous compositions – (What A Wonderful World, Heebie Jeebies, Potato Head Blues) – and his bands (Hot Five and Hot Seven).
- Do you think that it takes a lot of (hard) work to be in a band or orchestra today? (Yes! Musicians have to work together and practice their instruments or singing alone and with group practice for many hours to be able to perform the music in concerts.)
Evaluation….- Students read aloud and answer questions successfully demonstrating knowledge about the life of Louis Armstrong. Students will complete the Louis Armstrong quiz with a score of 80 or higher.
- Students complete the assigned pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Book with understanding of concepts and performance of the songs for the teacher. (Example: Pages 26 - 33 – C Position).
