MUSIC LESSON PLAN

Author(s): Jenna Reagan

Subject: Class/Period: Date:

Music Appreciation High School 12-7-2010

Learner Outcomes: Students will analyze text and music from the Harlem Renaissance and compare themes
Language Objective: Students read and discuss the variation of English used in the poem and music
National Standards:
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Elements of Music & Experiences of Music:

Dynamics Tone Color Tempo Rhythm Pitch Texture Form Style

Speaking Singing Moving Creating Playing Listening Reading Writing

Resources:
http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap9/9intro.html website for history and resources on the Harlem Renaissance
Poem: Langston Hughes- “Mother to Son”
Lyrics and music: Bessie Smith- “Down Hearted Blues”
Jazz music: Bessie Smith-“Back Water Blues” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”
Video clip “Harlem Renaissance” at www.history.com

Introduction:
Discuss historical events and characteristics of Harlem Renaissance
Watch the video clip “Harlem Renaissance” (ST 8)

Process:
Students read Mother to Son and Downhearted Blues
Circle passages that portray the overall theme
Teacher plays Downhearted Blues recording
In partners students discuss: reactions to the music, how are the passages similar or different? (ST 6)
Students listen to a recording of Downhearted blues (ST 6)
How does the music portray the theme or mood of the lyrics? (ST 6)
Students switch partners and the listening guide worksheet is passed out
Students listen to “Back Water Blues” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and fill out listening guide (ST 6)
Students share and compare answers to the listening guide and then shares with the class (ST 6,8)

Closure:
What kind of life do you think Bessie Smith lived? Find one fact from her life that you think influenced her music—share with the
class

Assessment:
Written: listening guide
Participation with partner and in group discussion

Extension: Harlem Renaissance art is studied as well as more jazz pieces from the era
Mother to Son
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair
Langston Hughes
Downhearted Blues
Gee, but it's hard to love someone when that someone
don't love you
I'm so disgusted, heartbroken, too
I've got those down hearted blues
Once I was crazy 'bout a man
He mistreated me all the time
The next man I get he's got to promise to be mine, all
mine
If I could only find the man oh how happy I would be
To the good Lord ev'ry night I pray
Please send my man back to me
I've almost worried myself to death wond'ring why he
went away
But just wait and see he's gonna want me back some
sweet day
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
It seems that trouble's going to follow me to my grave
Got the world in a jug, the stopper's in my hand
Got the world in a jug
The stopper's in my hand
Going to hold it, baby, till you come under my
command
Say, I ain't never loved but three men in my life
No, I ain't never loved but three men in my life
'T'was my father, brother and the man who wrecked
my life
'Cause he mistreated me and he drove me from his
door
Yeah, he mistreated me and he drove me from his door
But the good book says you'll reap just what you sow
Oh, it may be a week and it may be a month or two
Yes, it may be a week and it may be a month or two
But the day you quit me honey, it's coming home to
you
Oh, I walked the floor and I wrung my hands and cried
Yes, I walked the floor and I wrung my hands and
cried
Had the down hearted blues and couldn't be satisfied
Bessie Smith
Backwater Blues
When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as
night
When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as
night
Then trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night
I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my
door
I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my
door
There's been enough trouble to make a poor girl
wonder where she want to go
Then they rowed a little boat about five miles
'cross the pond
Then they rowed a little boat about five miles
'cross the pond
I packed all my clothes, throwed them in and they
rowed me along
When it thunders and lightnin' and when the wind
begins to blow
When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins
to blow
There's thousands of people ain't got no place to go
Then I went and stood upon some high old
lonesome hill
Then I went and stood upon some high old
lonesome hill
Then looked down on the house were I used to live
Backwater
blues done call me to pack my things and go
Backwater blues done call me to pack my things
and go
'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no
more
Mmm, I can't move no more
Mmm, I can't move no more
There ain't no place for a poor old girl to go
Bessie Smith
Nobody Knows You When You’re
Down and Out
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spending my money, I didn't care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Bying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green
Nobody knows you when you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
But If I ever get on my feet again
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean when you down and out
Mmmmmmmm.... when you're down and out
Mmmmmmmm... not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
Mmmmmmmm... Well I felt so low
Nobody wants me round their door
Mmmmmmmm... Without a doubt,
No man can use you wen you down and out
I mean when you down and out
Bessie Smith
 Listening Guide
Name______________________________ Date________________

Title of piece: Title of piece:

Composer: Composer:
What is the tempo marking? What is the tempo marking?
Largo Adagio Andante Allegro Prestissimo Largo Adagio Andante Allegro Prestissimo
What is the key? What is the key?
Major Minor Both Other Major Minor Both Other
What dynamics do you hear in this piece? How What dynamics do you hear in this piece? How
does it affect the mood? does it affect the mood?

What instruments do you hear? (Timbre) What instruments do you hear? (Timbre)

What was your reaction to the piece? What was your reaction to the piece?

Brainstorm historical or personal influences that Brainstorm historical or personal influences that
may have inspired the composer. may have inspired the composer.

Use two of your own words to describe the piece: Use two of your own words to describe the piece:
1. 2. 2. 2.