Teaching East Asian Music in the Elementary Classroom

Lesson Plans from 2005 Workshop

“Cosmic Harmony through Luogu.”
(Fourth and Fifth Grade, covers two 45-minute class periods.)

Teacher: Virginia (Ginny) Green

Goals:

Introduce the eight ancient Chinese classifications of instruments, create classroom approximations of each category, learn and perform one piece of music in luogu style.

Objectives:

1. Upon request of the instructor, students will name the eight ancient Chinese classifications of instruments.

2. Working in small groups, students will create ensembles with all eight classifications represented.

3. When asked by the instructor, students will define the Chinese term luogu.

4. Given a worksheet with various instruments pictured, students will correctly identify those instruments typically found in a luogu ensemble.

5. Upon cue by the leader, students will perform “Shehuo Gudien” (Festival Parade) in luogu ensemble, using accurate rhythm and instrumentation.

National Standards met:

Students will perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Students will read and notate music.
Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
Students will evaluate music and music performances.
Students will understand music in relation to history and culture.

Previous knowledge/assumptions:

Students have previously performed rhythm ensemble music requiring combination of four or more rhythmic layers.

Materials:

Various classroom percussion instruments, supplemented with stone and bamboo materials
Video: “Chinese Music in Taiwan: A Living Tradition,” from Insight Media
Overhead listing the eight ancient classifications of Chinese instruments
“The Lion's Roar: Chinese Luogu Percussion Ensembles,” text and CD
Overhead of mnemonic chant for “Shehuo Gudien”
Overhead of luogu instruments
Worksheets with luogu and other instruments pictured

Procedure:

INTRODUCTION

1. Play portions of video, showing Chinese instrumental ensembles and traditional dress.

2. Discuss the ancient sound systems of China , as per “The Lion's Roar,” pp. 9-10. Describe the ancient classification of instruments, using overhead.

3. Introduce Chinese concept of harmony between heaven and earth as accomplished through ensemble of the eight instrument categories.

INSTRUMENT USE

4. Divide class into three groups of approximately eight students per group. Assign task to each group of assembling eight instruments/objects to represent each of the eight instrumental classifications.

PERFORMANCE

5. To create cosmic harmony, the eight instruments must perform in ensemble. Each group decides on a rhythm to perform, using all instruments.

6. Each group performs their music for the class.

7. Discuss how this cosmic harmony sounded.

REVIEW/ASSESSMENT

8. Students name the eight ancient classifications of instruments. Individual assessment of participation in small group work can be noted.

Second Class:

REVIEW

1. Review ancient instrument classifications, and the resultant sounds of the small group performances.

LUOGU

2. Define and introduce the Luogu ensemble. Use video to view one luogu group.

3. Using overhead showing pictures of typical luogu instruments, ask students to suggest classroom alternatives to those traditional instruments.

Shehuo Gudien

4. Provide contextual background for performance of the piece Shehuo Gudien (Festival Parade), as per p. 32 in “The Lion's Roar.”

5. Introduce mnemonic chant technique for Shehuo Gudien. Practice chant along with “Lion's Roar” CD, track 7.

6. Divide class into three groups: cymbals, large gong, and drum.

7. Using mnemonics, vocalize Shehuo Gudien, with each group speaking only its part.

8. Using overhead, show one method (Dr. Han's) of notating the mnemonic system used.

9. Chant again, following the written mnemonics.

INSTRUMENTAL VERSION: Shehuo Gudien

10. Using classroom instruments, students take turns performing Shehuo Gudien on instruments, while other class members vocalize the mnemonic version of the piece.

REVIEW/ASSESSMENT

11. Perform Shehuo Gudien on instruments, with no vocalization of mnemonics. Assess individual performance as per performance rubric.

12. Using handout, students write the definition of luogu, and identify those instruments commonly used in a Chinese luogu ensemble.

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