Create Your Own Blues 

John Huie
bizchicken@hotmail.com
Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem Area School District

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Notation

Level:

Middle School

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Finale Notepad 2005, Finale

Duration:

45 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of the Blues Form, (1st 2 lines in a blues song repeats, the last line is different, last word in each line repeats)

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 4: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
MENC 7: Evaluating music and music performances.

Materials:

Computers, Finale Notepad or Finale, Screen projector for your computer.

Objectives:

1. At conclusion of lesson, Students will be able to create/arrange their own blues piece with the understanding of the Blues Form.
2. Students will be able to evaluate what a good and bad Blues based on Form would be.

Procedures:

1. Review (5 min.) – Teacher reviews characteristics in Blues by asking Questions based on these facts.
   1. The Blues Form Has 3 lines
   2. Lines 1 and 2 repeat
   3. 3rd line is different
   4. last word in the lines repeat
   5. The blues has lyrics that are usually sad.
2. Teacher explains how just like the lyrics in the blues repeat, so do the NOTES. Students listen.
3. Teacher asks Student to Start Up Notepad by Clicking on File on Computer. Students comply
4. Teacher asks a student to read directions. Student reads.
5. Teacher explains the directions, asking questions to see if the students understand. Students comply. (5 min.)
6. Teacher DOES AN EXAMPLE for the class, having students click and drag onto teacher computer, using the projector. Students watch and participate (5 min.)
7. Teacher watches over studentâs shoulders to make sure they are performing correctly. Students work. (15 min.)
8. Teacher asks students to volunteer their examples. Students listen. (10min.)
9. Teacher concludes by taking a good example of the blues form and sets lyrics to the piece. Students help teacher set lyrics.

Evaluation:

EVALUATION is : The student will be successful if he/she follows the form of the blues. The teacher will note if the form is correct or not. Also, student should be able to hear the difference between success and not.

Follow Up:

Creating your own melodies to put into the music, Creating your own lyrics to the blues, How to improvise, etc.

Items to Purchase:

$0. Finale Notepad is free. (most schools have access to a computer lab)

When budget should be submitted:

n/a