WEEK SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS

As we return to school from Sukkot, the Middle School is working towards learning new songs, techniques and preparing for their concerts!

Rock 101 has begun working on the song, Seven Nation Army, by The White Stripes!  This is a song that I use with every Rock 101 class.  From a cultural perspective, this song is very popular in sporting events.  From World Cup Soccer, to baseball, this song tells a story about an army going to war.  In my opinion, it resembles a college "fight song" like "On Wisconsin."

From a teaching perspective, it is a great example of teaching musical form.  Instrumentation on the recorded version is guitar and drums.  We are expanding the instrumentation to include:

Bass Guitar

Xylophone

Marimba

Piano

Seven Nation Army has a "catchy" musical theme.  Below, is the "official" video.  Take a moment to listen:

This song has a very simple guitar riff.  It is repeated throughout.  The drums represent the "army" marching.  It begins with the guitar riff, then adds drums, followed by the story.  As it progresses, it slowly builds and transforms into a loud and powerful movement of music!  Just when it peaks, the sound disappears without warning and the guitar riff begins its quiet voice once again, followed by the second verse.

In FUSION One: Today, we watched and listened to John Henry Bonham perform the song, 

Moby Dick with his band mates from Led Zeppelin at The Royal Albert Hall in 1970.  Today marked the anniversary of his death in 1980.  His untimely death was the band's demise as well.

John Bonham was (and still is) one of the most influential rock drummers of his time.  In Moby Dick, John showcases his musicianship with a drum solo filled with a wide ranch of dynamics, to incredible power and technique.  He shows the audience how "musical" a drum solo can sound.  At one point, he puts done his drumsticks, making his drum set sound like conga drums.  This solo goes on for approximately 10 minutes!  

I have divided the class into four performing groups.  Each band will learn how to play the song, and each of the four drummers will have the opportunity to improvise and play a 1-2 minutes solo.  Each group will create a band name.  Groups will be graded on individual/group effort.

Here is the video:

In FUSION Two: We continue to work on Rosanna and Hold The Line, by Toto.  Two iconic songs from the same band, both songs have different beats.  Two of the most challenging songs that any 8th Grade prior has worked on, this Grade has stepped up to give both songs a sound that anybody from Toto would applaud!  

Fusion Two is also working on I Saw Her Standing There, by The Beatles.  A very upbeat song with an incredible, driving bass line.  The purpose of the entire class learning this song is simple: to be able to switch and mix musicians with the goal of being able to execute this song no matter which student is performing.

Videos to both songs can be found in the last post!  For now, our students continue to make progress as individuals, but more importantly as a Kehilah!   

Week Five Highlights in Rock 101 and FUSION classes:

Rock 101 continues to work on "Rhythm Section" playing.  We are putting together all of the instruments and working on each section!

FUSION One continues to make progress on Pretty Woman and I Want To Hold Your Hand!

FUSION Two continues to work on Toto Songs and will begin two classic Beatles songs:  I Feel Fine and I Saw Her Standing There!

Davis Academy Rock 101 and FUSION happenings in September 2018!

Good afternoon!  We are approaching the end to our third week back to school!  Here is what's "going on" in class...

Rock 101 (sixth grade)

During week one, we learned how to read basic rhythms on the drum set.  We worked on basic eighth note patterns using both hands and our right foot!

In addition, we began to explore basic notes on the bass guitar.

Week Two, we reviewed a few chords on the guitar and began working on our first song:

Eye Of The Tiger, by Survivor

FUSION One (seventh grade)

My Block two seventh grade class has begun working on two songs since week one.  The first group is rehearsing Pretty Woman, by Roy Orbison.  The second group is working on I want To Hold  Your Hand, by The Beatles.

Roy was a Master of his craft!  A unique voice and personality!

A Global event for the Beatles in 1964, when they performed on The Ed Sullivan Show!

This week in Music:

6th Grade is in Charleston, SC on their Grade Level trip!  I can't wait to hear their stories!  #Davis6

7th Grade Fusion is working on You Can Call Me Al, by Paul Simon.  On Monday, we are going to listen to the song and follow the sheet music.  We will be discussing the FORM of the song, along with key signature and other musical symbols used in the song.

In addition, we will be adding brass instruments to the song!

8th Grade is working on Mustang Sally, by Wilson Picket.  On Monday, everybody began working on how-to-play the bass line.  Understanding and playing the bass line will help everybody understand how the bass part fits into the song, giving students a different perspective.

Here is what's happening in Middle School Music this week!

ROCK 101 is preparing for our in-class concert on November 8th!  We are working on the following skills and music:

Guitar Techniques:  Learning notes on the fret board - how to play Power Chords
Bass Guitar Techniques: Learning notes on the fret board - using the right hand for strumming/plucking.
Drum Techniques: Learning how to read and execute basic drum set pattern in 4/4 Time.
Piano Technique: Learning how to play major chords on the piano.

This week, students are learning how to play I, IV, V, I chord progression in the keys of C, G, D, A and E.

We are working on the following songs/genres:

1. 12-Bar Blues (Multiple Keys)
2. Seven Nation Army, by The Whites Stripes
3. I Gotta Feelin', by The Black Eyed Peas

NOTES:

Seven Nation Army consists of a repeated "theme" played throughout the song.

I Gotta Feelin' has a repeated chord progression throughout.

FUSION I continues to work on new skills and music!

Skills this week include:

1. Learning how to play Power Chords
2. Learning the Fret Board
3. Palm Muting

Songs include:

Hit Me With Your Best Shot, by Pat Benatar

Every Breath You Take, by The Police

Another One Bites The  Dust, by Queen

FUSION II continues to work on skills and new music too!

Songs include:

Fear Of The Dark, by Iron Maiden

On Monday, we decided to split into smaller groups and work on three Bon Jovi songs:

Have A Nice Day

Wanted Dead or Alive

Runaway

FUSION II has spent time using Fear Of The Dark as a music lesson in unison playing as well as harmonization.

6th Grade Rock 101

ROCK 101, is a 12-week learning experience that provides students with expanded performance opportunities in a mixed ensemble environment. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of musical genres, including: Rock, Classical, Jazz, Blues, Jewish Folk, R&B and other musical genres.  

Goals:

1. ·         To Introduce and develop melodic and rhythmic concepts.
2. ·         Students will be introduced to fundamental piano concepts.
3. ·         To advance individual skills in music theory, sight-reading, ear training and performance.
4. ·         Students will learn to play multiple instruments.
5. ·         To execute appropriate rehearsal and performance etiquette.
6. ·         To develop and record a consistent and effective practice routine.
7. ·         To build a positive, respectful relationship between Students and Instructor.
8. ·         How to effectively use the Internet as a viable learning resource.

Materials

Students are required to bring the following items to class: music, practice log and a pencil. 

Grading

1.     Class participation and daily class work            40%

2.     Written and playing evaluations                          40%

3.     Concert performance                                            20%

Welcome Back!
2017-18 School Year has begun!  Looking forward to a great year!

7th and 8th Grade FUSION Syllabus

Fusion is a year-long class broken into the four segments:

1) Individual skills (20%)

2) Ensemble rehearsal and performance (50%)

3) Music History (20%)

4) Songwriting and Recording (10%)

Each of the four segments will contribute to your FUSION grade every trimester.

Individual Skills:

Students will be required to:

- Complete "pass-offs" every week 

- Model productive daily practice

-Prepare Ensemble music

- Learn how to tune

Ensemble rehearsal/performances:

- Developing a solid rehearsal routine in class

- Working in small and large ensembles 

-  Learning how to set up and break down sound equipment for concerts and rehearsals.

Music History:

- Research Composers

- Study the history of Blues and music from the 1930's to present -Group projects utilizing www.teachrock.org

- Using YOUTUBE and other online resources to listen and analyze music

Song Writing/Recording

- Individual/group projects, writing jingles and original songs

- Learn how to record, using RockBand and ProTools software