LESSON PLAN: Re-Create A Song Using Only Vocals
Objective
Students will be able to use their voices to approximate pitches, rhythms, and sounds contained within a song of their choice.
Resources
- Internet and visual source
- Devices or computers with students chosen song
- Headphones and headphone splitters
- Paper and pencil
- Projector
Procedures
- Play a video or song for the class which highlights the human voice in different capacities. Examples include a Bobby McFerrin performance, a beatboxer, a clip from the television show “The Sing Off,” etc.
- Explain to students that they are going to work in small groups and use their voices to imitate the sounds they hear in a recording of their choice.
- Provide the class with several examples of how to recreate the sounds in a recording, demonstrating one instrument at a time.
a) Play the recording and start by recreating the beat.
b) Then, search for a bass line.
c) Next, look for catchy riffs or ostinatos.
d) Save the melody for last. - Allow students to divide into small groups to listen to their song (headphones and headphone splitters are a great way to convert a small classroom space into separate listening areas. Try to keep stronger singers in separate groups to ensure there will be a lead voice in each group)
- Circulate the room to ensure students are listening to the recording and searching for parts.
- Invite students to record their ideas so they do not forget them as they are layering.
- Invite students to perform their finished product.
Extension
More advanced students can try to translate figure out the key, chords or riffs of the song by ear using keyboards, guitars, JamCards, etc.
National Core Arts Standards (Music)
Anchor Standard #1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work. Anchor Standard #3: Refine and complete artist work. Anchor Standards #4: Analyze, interpret and select artistic work for presentation. Anchor Standard #5: Develop and refine artistic work for presentation.