In this lesson, students will examine and repeat the rhythmic patterns that are found in words. They will echo the rhythms through the use of class percussion instruments or clapping.

‘Embolada” is a form of poetry and song that has set refrains. The refrains allow
singers to organize their next improvised stanza in their heads—even as the music is
sounding. (McGowan,1991) This form of traditional music is active in the northeastern
region of Brazil. Embolada has a fast rhythm and complex tone that deftly incorporate varied
lyrics and onomatopoeia. Embolada is mostly improvised following a dialogue by the
“Embolador”, who sings while hitting the Pandeiro at short intervals in between verses. The
singer needs considerable skill, experience, and a sense of humor . Embolada is sung in the
streets; it is influenced by American rap music and African music. Using the Embolada
rhythm, students can improvise lyrics and sing solo.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the early history of Rock and Roll music. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

This lesson site applies Roman Numeral chord identification on root position and inverted seventh chords. It also gives a quick way of identifying seventh chords on sight. Essential for expanding composition and improvisation skills.

Students will be introduced to syncopation through a wacky Thanksgiving song told from the perspective of the turkey. This lesson is designed to fulfill Standard #5 of the National Standards for Music: Reading and notating music.

This detailed site give an introduction into the acoustical workings of saxophones, primarily soprano and tenor, and gives fingerings, sound techniques, and several other scientific methods into playing the instrument.

This lesson site introduces the proper names of scale degrees, and gives a visual representation of each. This is a good start for students who are moving into intermediate and advanced chords and chord progressions.

Students will use the music of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade to inspire a strong introduction to a story. By assuming the role of Scheherazade, students will write an introduction and collaborative story about Sinbad the Sailor. They will then take a comparative look at their own creations and the original story by Rimsky-Korsakov.

Students learn a Scottish folk song and make up their own versus. This could be used as a wrap up for a unit on Scottish music and culture.

Students learn that it is possible to use some of the same strategies for understanding music that we use to understand literature. Students have an opportunity to identify a musical theme when played by in a variety of styles.

This lesson site introduces seventh chord inversions, for advancing vocalists and instrumentalists. Essential for music composition and music theory. Audio and visual examples are given, as well as a keyboard interpretation.

Visitors to the website will learn about the musical instruments that have been traditionally used along the Silk Road. Included is a map of the region, a reading list, and fun facts. Teachers will find an Education Kit with a Teacher's Guide and a Sourcebook of lesson plans, activities, and background materials to use in teaching their students about the Silk Road. Students will learn about the geography, economics, and history of the Silk Roads. They will discover the religions of both the ancient and contemporary cultures of the area. They will also be able to create musical instruments.

This site explains and shows examples of simple and compound meter and how they work with different time signatures. Appropriate for beginning rhythm studies or a good refresher for advanced students who work with compund meter in their literature.

This article provides young musicians with valuable infomation on how to deal with performance anxiety before a performance.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the musical form canon. This lesson is designed to fulfill Standard #1 of the National Standards for Music: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music; and Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

Students will learn and drill basic rhythmic values including the whole note, half note, and quarter note. Rest values could be substituted for rhythmic values. This lesson is designed to fulfill Standard #5 of the National Standards for Music: Reading and notating music.

This lesson plan is designed to introduce students to the rhythms of poetry. The lesson focuses on two poetic forms: the Ballad stanza and the Blues stanza. Lesson includes notations to incorporate poetry analysis and recitation. The lesson also involves practice skills to recognize and understand poetic structures such as: iambs, measures and rhythm. It includes a link to applicable music files.