Kate Hardin, October 23, 2012, 18:00

Level: any

Topic: Music-Jazz

Materials: none

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: WHY IS BEBOP CONSIDERED MUSIC?

Activity 1 (15 min) — Discuss: what makes music music?
     – melody
     – harmony and/or tonality
     – rhythm/meter
     – a logical progression from beginning to middle to end
     – recognizable motives/themes
     – allows for virtuosic displays and improvisation within a greater musical framework
     – is art

Activity 2 (15 minutes) — Brainstorm: What does bebop have?

     – A trumpet and a sax, but no discernible melody
     – A piano and bass, but no discernible chordal/tonal structure
     – A drum kit, but no discernible rhythm/meter
     – An end that is distinguishable from the beginning and middle only because it is followed by silence
     – Is said to be based on an old standard, yet bears exactly no resemblance to said standard. 
     – Gives each player a 5-10 minute solo per song, during which the other band members stand in silence
     – is “art”

SUGGESTED ANSWER TO ESSENTIAL QUESTION: I have absolutely no idea.

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