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The Language of Music

Introduction

Music is a universal language that transcends both time and culture. American music has been heavily influenced by African musical traditions. Drawing from the music of their homelands, enslaved Africans eventually incorporated the European music of the colonies to create a style that was uniquely African American. Over time, these early forms of musical expression formed the basis of gospel, blues, jazz, and soul.

In this lesson, students listen to several examples of eighteenth-century African American music, describe the unique purpose(s) of each, work in small groups to examine other reasons eighteenth-century African Americans created music, and then identify examples of modern music that serve similar purposes.

Materials

Feature Article “Juba and Dejembe: Music Helps Interpret Slavery”
Liner Notes for Selected From Ear to Ear Music Tracks
Music Then and Now
Music Then and Now—Teacher Answer Key
Selected tracks the Colonial Williamsburg From Ear to Ear CD:
Information Cards—18th-Century African American Music

Strategy

1. Inside a circle on the center of the board, write the words "Why Music?" Ask students to brainstorm some of the reasons why humans create, listen to, dance to, enjoy, and value music. Record all responses in a web formation around the circle. Lead the class, if necessary, to come up with reasons such as the celebration of events, heritage or tradition, entertainment (games and general listening), education/learning, communication, hope/faith/worship, and protest.

2. Using the content of the Feature Article: "Juba and Dejembe: Music Helps Interpret Slavery", explain to students the importance of music in the lives of enslaved African Americans. Discuss how music has played a similar role throughout history and continues to do so in our lives today.

3. Give each student a copy of the Music Then and Now graphic organizer. Play each of the four selected tracks ("Cou Cou," "Wasulu," "Kye Kye Kule," and "Trouble So Hard") from the From Ear to Ear CD for the class by using the following steps:

Using the Liner Notes for Selected From Ear to Ear Music Tracks, briefly introduce the song.
Play the song.
Have students discuss the reason(s) they believe the song was created.
Once the class has reached a consensus, have students write the song title in the appropriate box(es) in the "Then" column of their graphic organizer. [Note: For possible student responses, refer to the Music Then and Now-Teacher Answer Key.]
Repeat these steps for the other three tracks.

4. Divide the class into four groups. Give each group ONE of the Information Cards-18th-Century African American Music. Explain to students that they will become "experts" on two reasons for eighteenth-century African American music. Have students in each group read aloud the information on their assigned card, then summarize the content in note form in the "Now" column of their graphic organizers. In the same column, have students also write the names of specific songs. [Note: For a list of possible student responses, refer to the Music Then and Now-Teacher Answer Key.]

5. Provide time for each group to share its findings with the class. As each group presents their information, have the rest of the class add any new information to their own graphic organizers and/or suggest other ideas for the "Examples from Today" column.

Lesson Extension

Explain to students how music has played a role in other periods of American history (for example, Civil War (contrast "Dixie" to "Battle Hymn"), WWI ("Over There"), the Civil Rights movement ("We Shall Overcome"), or 1960s protest songs).

This lesson was written by Beth Burney, elementary school teacher, Atlanta, Georgia.