Music Cultures of The World

1. Choose Your Region

Students will be divided into groups of 5. Choose a representative from your group to come up to the front and choose a paper from the bowl. 

2. Choose Your Country/Culture, and a Genre of Music

Once you have received your region, research the different cultures contained in that region, and select a country or culture that you will study the music of. For example, if you picked Native American, which tribe or part of the Americas will you focus on? If you picked Asia, will you focus on China, Japan, the Philippines, or another part of the region? Once you have chosen a culture to focus on, consider which genre you will look into. Just like there are dozens of different genres of music in America that all service different purposes (pop, R&B, jazz, sacred music, patriotic music, etc), other cultures have music that serves different purposes. In fact, in some cultures, it can be highly inappropriate to play certain music in the wrong context. Be detailed in your research here so as to not encounter this problem. Document your findings in your PowerPoint outline.

3. Listen To Examples of the Genre You Have Chosen

Listen to at least 5 different performances of the genre of music you have chosen. Make sure that you include the links on the Reference slide of your PowerPoint.

4. Research the Cultural Context of Your Genre

What is the purpose of this genre of music? Where is it performed? When is it performed? Who performs it? Is it intended for a certain group of people? Is it looked down upon by some people? Does it have a religious or ceremonial purpose? Is there a certain type of clothing that should be worn when performing this genre? Is this genre usually performed by a certain gender? Include the answers to these questions and any other relevant information about the genre's cultural context in your PowerPoint outline. Include any relevant vocabulary in your Vocabulary page. Make sure that you include all of your sources in the Reference slide of your PowerPoint.

5. Research the Musical Components of Your Genre
Musically, what makes this genre this genre? Does it use a particular scale (ex. pentatonic, harmonic minor, etc.)? Does it use a different tuning system? In other words, does it use more or less notes than the 12 chromatic notes of the Western tuning system. If it uses more, we would call those microtones, because it involves pitch intervals smaller than a half step. What instruments are used in this genre and what are their functions/capabilities? Get to the bottom of the defining characteristics that make this music recognizable. This could be the types of sounds used, a certain beat, or something else. Document your answers in your PowerPoint outline. Include any relevant vocabulary in your Vocabulary page. Make sure that you include all of your sources in the Reference slide of your PowerPoint.

6. Learn a Song from the Genre You Have Chosen

Choose and learn a song or excerpt from a song to present to the class from the genre you have chosen. It should be at least 90 seconds long, and no more than 3 minutes long. Make sure to credit the writers of the song if they are known.

7. Construct an Instrument to Use in Performance

Construct a basic version of at least one culturally appropriate instrument to use in performance. See examples below:
https://www.fun365.orientaltrading.com/project/easy-diy-maracas-craft

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Thumb-Piano-Mbira/

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Didgeridoo-out-of-PVC-Pipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qep1qAWNLgA (Native American Flute out of PVC Pipe)

8. Prepare and Present Your Findings in a PowerPoint Presentation to the Class

Include all of the information that you have documented in your outline. Strategically place your vocabulary terms and definitions in your PowerPoint based on when they are most relevant for what you are presenting to your audience at that time. At the end of your presentation you will perform the song you have prepared with the instrument you have constructed. Your entire presentation should be no less than 15 minutes, and no longer than 20. Make sure that your References are comprehensive and complete. At the end of your presentation, turn in your outline, vocabulary list, presentation file. Additionally, every member should turn in their evaluation forms in separate opaque envelopes.