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Presenter view · Grades 5–8 · Music

The Sound of Harlem

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Materials

  • Audio clips — ideally one each of: 12-bar blues (Bessie Smith), jazz improvisation (Louis Armstrong), big band (Duke Ellington), and stride piano (Fats Waller). All available free via Smithsonian Folkways or YouTube
  • Optional: piano or keyboard for demonstrating the 12-bar blues chord progression live
  • Differentiated handouts — one per student; pencils for notation work

On the classroom screen

MThe Harlem RenaissanceThe Sound of Harlem

Lesson · Grades 5–8 · Music

The Sound of Harlem

Students will analyze the musical structures of Harlem Renaissance jazz and blues — call-and-response, the 12-bar blues form, improvisation, syncopation, and the role of the rhythm section. They will connect these structures to their African musical roots and understand how jazz was simultaneously a new American art form and a continuation of African musical traditions. Students will respond through structured listening, notation analysis, or original composition.

39minutes

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Hook 5 minTeach 12 minActivity 22 min

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Listen and compare 5 min

Play 30 seconds of straight classical music, then 30 seconds of Louis Armstrong. No introduction.

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39:00

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  • Green Level handout More Support (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Yellow Level handout Grade Level (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Red Level handout Go Deeper (PDF, opens in a new tab)
  • Poster 1 Projector mode (opens in a new tab)
  • Lesson plan Teacher (PDF, opens in a new tab)

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