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Lesson Plan Image

Feel the Music

Jazz will come alive as students learn about this style of music and create a textured artwork that illustrates the feelings it evokes.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Heavy Paper
  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    The beginnings of jazz date back to the African-American communities of 19th-century New Orleans. Have students learn about this music style. When was the jazz age? How did its popularity spread? Who are some notable jazz musicians? Play a few snippets of jazz music such as a blues song sung by Billie Holiday or Ray Charles, a scat song by Ella Fitzgerald, or an instrumental piece by Duke Ellington. Have students note how the melodies and tempos can evoke colorful images and different emotions.

  • Step 2

    Have students choose a jazz song or piece that they like, or if they'd prefer, they can make up an original piece of jazz music. Ask them to think of the feelings it evokes and how they'd represent it in a visual artwork. What colors or images would they use? If they make up their own music, what instrument(s) would play it?

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a collage to portray the music on paper. They could create a moody background using watercolors. They will then decide on images to create and cut out of paper. It might be a musician performing the music or abstract images that give a sense of the mood of the piece. Have them embellish the collage with craft items to give it further texture.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their works to the class. If possible have them play or sing the music that inspired it. See if classmates can identify the mood and the feelings portrayed in the art.

Standards

ARTS: Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas, and describe connection to specific purpose and context (such as personal and social).

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

Adaptations

Ragtime is a forerunner of jazz. Have students learn about and listen to examples of this style and research American composer Scott Joplin (1867/8- 1917), the "king of ragtime."

Jazz has had an enormous impact on modern music and has influenced other styles. Have students investigate how it has influenced rock, R&B, hip-hop, rap, and other genres.