Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand and appreciate shape note music with seven shapes.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: pencil, paper, computer with internet access

Prep: Familiarize yourself with shape note music and its history.

Activities

• Research the history of shape note music and create a timeline of key events.

• Listen to shape note music recordings and analyze the use of the seven shapes.

• Compose your own short piece of shape note music using the seven shapes.

• Practice singing a shape note song and pay attention to the unique intervals created by the shapes.

Talking Points

• Art: "Shape note music uses different shapes to represent musical notes, creating a visual element to the music."
• English: "Analyzing the lyrics of shape note songs can provide insight into the historical and cultural context of the music."
• History: "Shape note music has roots in early American religious singing practices, evolving over time to become a distinct musical tradition."
• Math: "The shapes used in shape note music represent different intervals, allowing singers to easily identify and sing the notes."
• Music: "Learning shape note music can improve your sight-reading skills and understanding of musical intervals."
• Physical Education: "Singing shape note music can be a great way to improve your breathing control and vocal technique."
• Science: "Exploring the acoustics of shape note singing can help you understand how sound waves interact in different spaces."
• Social Studies: "Shape note music is a reflection of the cultural and religious traditions of early American communities."
• Critical Thinking: "Analyzing the structure of shape note music can enhance your critical thinking skills by identifying patterns and relationships in the music."