Lesson 022
Objectives:
* Students will study the life of a famous jazz musician – John Birks ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie.
* Students will complete a quiz about Dizzy Gillespie on our website.
* Students will complete one or two pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Level 1A (varies based on student level).
Materials:
Alfred 1A Piano Books, keyboards and related equipment, computers with our website posted, recording of a composition by Dizzy Gillespie, worksheets – Unit 9 – Dizzy Gillespie, from Meet the Great Jazz Legends (Alfred).
Procedures:
1) The teacher will introduce Unit 9 – Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993). Students should read aloud the story of the life of Dizzy Gillespie. The teacher will play a selection of music from Dizzy Gillespie (A Night in Tunisia, Con Alma, Groovin’ High, or Manteca - MP3 - iTunes). Show a brief video clip of Dizzy Gillespie from Jazz: A Multimedia History (Charlie Parker video – 35 second mark for Gillespie video).
2) The students will complete the ‘Quiz on Dizzy Gillespie’ quiz on our website. (Dizzy Gillespie Quiz). Record the grade for each student or have the student print the score if a printer is available. Students that receive a high score may get a reward (music pencil and stickers).
3) Students will complete various pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Book 1 based on individual student progress. Video tape (digital camera) some of the students and post it immediately using the projector for review and feedback. (4th Grade – Page 33 – C Position – Left and Right Hands)
4) If time allows, students may play some of the other quizzes on our website related to other jazz musicians. A Jazz Musician Help Page is available on the site to read about other jazz musicians and listen to clips of music by each musician. Students may also work on Sibelius music notation projects.
Ask students to notice...
* From reading the story about Dizzy Gillespie, what made him ‘stand out’ from other trumpet players?
* Name some of Gillespie’s famous compositions – (A Night in Tunisia, Con Alma, Groovin’ High, Manteca).
* Do you think that it takes a lot of (hard) work to be in a band or orchestra today? (Yes! Musicians have to work together and practice their instruments or singing alone and with group practice for many hours to be able to perform the music in concerts.)
*
Do you think that the bebop style of jazz might be difficult to play? Why?
Evaluation…
* Students read aloud and answer questions successfully demonstrating knowledge about the life of Dizzy Gillespie. Students will complete the Dizzy Gillespie quiz with a score of 80 or higher.
* Students complete the assigned pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Book with understanding of concepts and performance of the songs for the teacher. (Example: 4th Grade – Page 33 – C Position).
