Jazz Listen and Compare

Michael Wann
mwann@hcpss.org
Northfield Elementary School

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Multimedia

Level:

Elementary

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Midi files of Jazz excerpts.
Sequencing program ie: Digital Performer, Cakewalk, ProTools
Computer lab or several “stations”

Duration:

60 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

1. Knowledge of Jazz Elements and styles.
2. How to listen and mute tracks in ProTools

NAfME Standards of 1994 Addressed:

NAfME Standards of 1994: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
NAfME Standards of 1994: Evaluating music and music performances.

NAfME 2014: Responding

NAfME Standards of 1994: Understanding Music in Relation to History and Culture

NAfME 2014: Connections 

Materials:

ProTools available as free download.

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to listen and compare/contrast Midi files of two jazz performers ie: Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.
2. Students will be able to mute different tracks of the recordings to produce musical effects.

Procedures:

1. Prepare a ProTools session of various jazz examples.
2. Prepare a worksheet detailing what the student knows about compare and contrast ie: What style is the excerpt? Could you tell from the title only how the piece would sound? Which excerpt is your favorite piece? Why?
3. Have students find jazz session in ProTools, then pass out worksheets.

Evaluation:

Assessment of class worksheets.

Follow Up:

Have students find other jazz midi files to compare and import them.