This Week In Rock 101!

We are back to drumming this week in Rock 101!  We are reviewing our drumbeats from week one.  In addition to playing beats, we are working on our first "melody" using 12-Bar Blues!  We learned about what "melody" is and now we are learning a Rock A Billy pattern.

In Fusion 1 (7th Grade) we are working our rhythmic playing and reading as well.  We are working on building our Musicianship by focusing on keeping a steady beat on the drum set.  The skills learned on drums translates into guitar, bass and keyboards quite easily and will enhance our playing skills tenfold!

In Fusion 2, we are continuing to work on songs, improvisation and working on tightening up our rhythms and chords.

Have an awesome week!

- Mr. Michek

Welcome back Davis Academy Families!  We are in our third week of school and a lot is happening in Music!

Rock 101:  My sixth Graders have been studying the Art of Drumming with your truly since Day 1!

• We have learned how to read rhythms and play basic beats.
• We have learned basic chords on guitar over the past week, leading us to I, IV, V progressions.
• We have started working on 12-Bar Blues FORM.

7th Grade FUSION is working on Shippig Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys!  They are working on the FORM of the song, and we have a student playing banjo on the song!

8th Grade is off and running this year!  They are working on several songs simultaneously!

• Rolling With The Changes: REO Speedwagon
• Funk 49: James Gang
• Cliffs Of Dover: Eric Johnson
• Ziggy Stardust: David Bowie   

Rock 101 and FUSION I, II

Lesson Plans for March 7th – March 11th - 2016

Objectives:

·         Rehearse song selections in class

·         Setting goals for “performance ready songs.”

·         Continue working on rhythmic and melodic accuracy.

6^th Grade Rock 101: 

Students will be able to:

-       Week one: Learning how to read and count rhythms

-       Apply learned rhythms to drum set patterns in 4/4 time

-       Learn how to read and play power chords on guitar

7^th Grade FUSION:

Students will be able to:

-       Continue studies on spring concert music

-       Isolate each section and work on chord/rhythmic accuracy

-       Add new songs to set list for spring concert

-       Continue to develop individual skills.

8^th Grade FUSION: 

Students will be able to:

-       Isolate each section of their concert music, focusing on note and rhythmic accuracy

-       Add “revised” songs to spring concert set list

-       Work on blending individual parts with others, covering different sections of each song.

-       Complete songs that are due this week in class.

-       Isolate trouble spots in music and work on correct chords and rhythms

Happy February to all!

Here is what has been happening in class lately:

ROCK 101:

Trimester 2 students have make great progress so far!  We have covered "basics" on:

• Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• Bass
• Singing

Students have been performing in class during the current session.  

We have working on:

1. Seven Nation Army by The Whites Stripes
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
3. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty
4. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynard Skynard

In addition, we have been watching videos on great musicians such as:

Buddy Rich

Orianthi

Victor Wooten

7th Grade FUSION is currently working on building their repertoire.

Current song "works in progress" include:

1. Red Barchetta by RUSH
2. The Trees by RUSH
3. 2112 Overture by RUSH
4. You Better Run by Pat Benatar
5. Snow by The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
6. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles
7. Come As You Are by Nirvana

The 8th Grade FUSION is currently working on:

1. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi
2. Iron Man by Black Sabbath
3. Enter Sandman by Metallica
4. Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
5. Learn To Fly by The Foo Fighters
6. Down Bring Me Down by E.L.O.

October 26th - 30th

This week in Music:

The Sixth Grade is working on multiple songs now!  In addition, we have begun learning how to play Ani V'Atah!  We will be focusing on learning traditional guitar chords this week!

The Seventh Grade is working on several songs and have begun working on Jewish music for future Shabbat Services!  

The Eighth Grade is working on new music this week as well!  Along with the Seventh Grade, both grades will be performing at Grandparents and Special Friends Day this Friday!

Have a great week!

THIS WEEK IN FUSION!!!

Sixth Grade Rock 101 will continue to develop their skills in performance and listening!  We have begun working on Wild Thing, by The Troggs.  I am very excited at the pace in which these awesome, young students are working together!

The Seventh Grade is working six songs currently!  In addition, we have started a unit on playing the Ukelele!  We are learning chords and playing "Stir It Up" and "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley!

The Eighth Grade is working on their concert music as well!  We are preparing for Grandparents And Special Friends Day on October 30th! They will beginning the same unit on Ukelele this week!

Rock 101 and FUSION I, II

Oct 7 – Oct 9, 2015

Objectives:

·        Develop individual performance skills

·        Develop individual listening skills

·        Develop musical competency

·        Develop listening skills in an ensemble setting

6^th Grade Rock 101: 

Students will be able to:

- Discuss the part of musical FORM: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Outro, etc

- Power Chord Review Power Chords and “moveable shapes on guitar

- Rehearsing song one with assigned group

- Review Piano chords using the Tonic and Dominant notes

- Switching instruments on song one

- Discussing FORM for song one, “Old Time Rock And Roll”

7^th Grade FUSION:

Students will be able to:

Continue working on the following songs:

-       “Nothing Else Matters”: focus on E minor progression and mixed meter

-       “Working on Nothing Else Matters” FORM

-       “Stand By Me”: work on percussion ostinato and pitch

-       “Spirit Of Radio”: working on FORM, and 7/4 time signature

-       Learn new instrumental this week:  The Hellion, Judas Priest

8^th Grade FUSION: 

Students will be able to:

Work on new song: Under The Boardwalk, by The Drifters

·         Split groups working on the following songs:

-       Group One: “Don’t Fear The Reaper” - Work on the Bridge

-       Group Two: “Godzilla”: Bass Feature and guitar interlude

-       Rehearse “You May Be Right” by Billy Joel for Grandparent’s Day