Playin' the Blues

Bring the sounds of the deep South vocal blues to the classroom with a Smithsonian Folkways lesson. In preparation, scholars listen to and count the 12 bar blues patterns in several works and identify the I, II, IV, and V chords as well...

Here is a complete workbook which leads children as they work through the art of making a musical instrument. The instrument made must be a percussion instrument. The workbook is incredibly thorough and does a good job of leading pupils...

In this music history worksheet, learners will read 4 paragraphs about the history of Blues. Then students will answer six questions using complete sentences.

Are the instruments in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in the same family as those in George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue? Elementary musicians work on their music theory and their instrumental ear as they listen to clips of famous...

In this blues music worksheet, students read a brief description of this genre of music and then respond to 6 short answer questions regarding the information presented in this worksheet.

Music has the power to convey messages, concepts, and feelings. Sixth graders listen to and analyze the cultural and historical context of several spirituals and working songs sung in Africa and also during the slave period in American...

Jazz, Blue Grass, Hip Hop, Swing. Gospel, R&B, Ragtime, Disco. So many music genres born in the USA. After reading an article about the fate of New Orlean's Jazz after Hurricane Katrina, class members investigate the life cycles of...

Young scholars discover the beginning of blues music. In this blues music lesson, students look at American history and relate it to Blues artists. They play the 12-Bar Blues on classroom instruments and create their own blues song. 

Students explore the connections between Langson Hughes and blues music. In this African American culture lesson, students compare and contrast blues music with poetry and short stories by Langston Hughes.

Anybody can sing the blues. An engaging lesson highlights African American poet Langston Hughes and explains blues music and poetry. Scholars research Langston Hughes, listen to blues music, and compose a blues poem to strengthen their...