This Week in Rock 101!

Sixth grade students have officially been placed into three bands!  Students have begun working on "Old Time Rock N Roll" by Bob Seger.

Students will learn how to play the "basics" on each of the following instruments:

• Drums
• Guitar
• Bass
• Piano

Singing is optional!  The good news is that we have a students in class that have volunteered to sing!

Here is a live clip from a past performance:

Seventh grade FUSION is working on multiple songs!  Today, we worked on counting and reading rhyhtms and chords in 7/4 Time:  This section of music can be found at 2:53 into the song!

Eighth grade FUSION is working on Blue Oyster Cult classics this week!  Our goal is to play thge Intro, Verse and Chorus by the end of the week!

Welcome to the 2015-16 Academic year!

I am very excited to once again have the opportunity to work with the students at The Davis Academy Middle School!

This week marks the 4th week of the school year!  Here is an up-to-date summary of what we have been covering in class:

6th Grade ROCK 101:

Week One: 

1. We learned the parts of the drum set and assembled a set from the ground up.
2. Students were introduced to reading drum set patterns; learning how to read multi-layered rhythms using both hands and both feet!
3. EVERY student by the end of week one was able to play the "fundamental" drum set rhythm with a steady tempo and balance!

Week Two:

1. Students were introduced to power chords.  They learned how the "root" note (Tonic) and 5th note (Dominant) work together as a chord.
2. Students were introduced to 12-Bar Blues FORM, using the I, IV, and V chords in the key of E Major.
3. By the end of the week, students were able to play all 3 chords from memory, following the 12-Bar Blues progression!

Week Three:

1. Students were introduced to Open E tuning on the guitar.  Students learned how to "bar chord" using Open E tuning.
2. Students played 12-Bar Blues using bar chords in the key of A Major.
3. Students learned how to play the Tonic and Dominant 2-note chords on piano, using the thumb and index fingers.
4. Students are learning how to play "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger this week!   
5. Students are learning how to play in small groups this week, Ensembles consist of the following instrumentation:  vocals, guitar, bass, piano, drums.

Week Four:  

The Sixth Grade is currently on their class trip to Charleston this week!  We miss you guys!

7th Grade FUSION:

The 7th grade is very busy working on three songs:

1. Nothing Else Matters, by Metallica

 - This song incorporates the following content:

• 6/8 Time Signature
• Key of E minor
• Features a very dynamic range of emotion and intensity as the song progresses.
• Vocally, it begins very soft, slowing build intensity as it develops.
• Vocal harmonies occur during the Chorus section.
• Instruments following a very subtle chord progression, followed by a short Interlude.
• The song's peak happens during a "Bluesy" guitar solo, utilizing a Wah Wah pedal.
• The song concludes by returning the simplistic and subtle intro, which now has taken on the role of outro.

    2.  Spirit of Radio, by RUSH

- This song incorporates the following content:

• 12/8 time signature 
• Guitar intro featuring pull-offs and hammer-ons.  It is an Ostinato pattern.
• Driving 16th note drum patterns, moving into a subtle 1/8th note pattern during the verse.
• Lyrics that pay tribute to the invention of the radio.  Lyrics that are free of inappropriate language, and adult situations.  A song that send a positive message.
• Rhythm changes to 9/8 and back to 12/8, challenging students to connect mixed meter together. 

  3.  Stand By Me, Ben E. King

- This song incorporates the following content:

• A simple, 4/4 time signature and 4-chord progression.
• A percussion arrangement of bongos, triangle, Guiro, Drum set and wind chimes; providing a soft, comforting rhythmic accompaniment.
• Warm vocals with a very "innocent" tone and meaning.
• A song that connects us to our Kehilla.

  3.  Shout It Loud, by KISS

- This song incorporates the following content: 

• Once again, a song that delivers a positive message.
• 4/4 time signature, with guitar hamonies
• A driving drum beat placing the snare drum on every beat.
• A Blues-style guitar solo with pitch bending and vibrato.

8th Grade FUSION:

The 8th grade is working on a few projects:

- This song incorporates the following content: 

1. You May Be Right, Billy Joel

• A driving drum beat, yet very simple to play.
• A 2-chord progression that moves smoothly through each verse.
• A pre-chorus that suddenly switches to minor tonality without warning.
• A chorus that peaks with a strong, "2-beat feel" raising the energy of the song.
• A vocal line that is emotional and powerful when delivered accurately.

  2. Individual Song Project:

- This project  incorporates the following content: 

• Individual time spent on learning the chords, rhythms and FORM of a "Song of their choice."
• Students will be able to perform their song from beginning to end, using  a YOUTUBE video with a recorded version of their song.