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Restless 3:120:00/3:12
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Hit the Road and Go 3:060:00/3:06
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This Old Heart 2:580:00/2:58
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Busy Bee Cafe 3:270:00/3:27
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Up This Hill & Down 3:470:00/3:47
Tennessee Arts Commission - Teaching Artists
We are thrilled for the Tennessee Arts Commission to sponsor us as 2022-23 Tennessee Teaching Artists. This enables us to offer special performances, classes and workshops in Tennessee public schools with support from TN Arts Education. Grant funding is allocated for each county in Tennessee.
Our big goals as Teaching Artists: 1) By sharing our music and stories, we hope students will feel a connection to the cultural heritage of Tennessee. 2) By recognizing the value of music in our lives, we hope students will be encouraged to participate in the music opportunities offered at their school and community. 3) By introducing innovate and creative ideas, we hope students will discover new ways of thinking about music.
We work toward these goals through the programs below!
Story of Molly and Tenbrooks: illustrated with banjo music
Through the story of the horse race between Molly and Tenbrooks students will explore traditional southern culture and music. The story is illustrated on banjo using iconic American tunes including: Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Whoa Mule, Bugle Call Rag and Bill Monroe’s classic, Molly and Tenbrooks. The story culminates with the running of the race illustrated on two banjos. Also included are some well known bluegrass songs such as the Tennessee state song, Rocky Top.
- Grades: Elementary
- Length: 45 minutes
- Curriculum Standards: 9.2 describe music from various cultures and 9.2.3 discuss the distinguishing characteristics of / and the instruments used in music of selected cultures
- Instruments Used: Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Voice
Style of 5-String Banjo in Bluegrass Music
An informative demonstration about the role of the banjo in bluegrass music. Scruggs roll, melodic and single string styles will be discussed using traditional tunes such as Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Soldier's Joy and Blackberry Blossom. Specific soloing, back up and rhythm techniques will be discussed using a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass songs and instrumentals. Other topics include: tuning, range, articulations and unique characteristics of the instrument.
- Grades: 5 - 12, College, Professional Development
- Length: 30 to 60 minutes
- Curriculum Standards: 9.2 describe music from various cultures and 9.2.3 discuss the distinguishing characteristics of / and the instruments used in music of selected cultures
- Instruments Used: (2) Banjo's, Mandolin, Voice
Improvisation in Bluegrass Music
The relaxed nature of bluegrass and American folk music provides a great introduction to improvisation. An overview of three primary techniques will be used 1) Melodic Paraphrase - using elements of pitch, rhythm and contour, 2) Formula - connecting licks from a known vocabulary, and 3) Motivic Development - developing musical ideas. Students will learn several bluegrass songs such as Bill Monroe's Blue Moon of Kentucky as these techniques are combined. Other topics include continuity, essential melodic elements. melodic rhythm and embellishment patterns.
- Grades: 9-12, College, Professional Development
- Length: 60 minutes
- Objective: Students will gain an understanding of techniques to improvise a variation.
- Curriculum Standards: 3.2 Improvise a variation
- Instrument Used: Guitar, Mandolin, Voice