Early Forms of Music JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA) Lesson Note

Early Forms of Music

Subject: Creative Arts (Cultural and Creative Arts)

Class: JSS2

Duration: 40 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain what “forms of music” means
2. Identify at least four early forms of music
3. Describe characteristics of Egyptian, Roman, African, and Baroque music
4. Name where each form of music was found or practiced
5. Appreciate that different cultures developed their own unique music styles

MATERIALS NEEDED

• World map or globe
• Pictures of ancient Egypt, Rome, Africa, and Europe
• Audio samples of different music forms (if available)
• Pictures of ancient instruments (harps, lyres, drums, flutes)
• Chart showing timeline of different music forms
• Sample of traditional African instruments or pictures

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Pupils have learned about the origin of music from natural sounds. They understand that music has existed for a very long time in human history.

LESSON CONTENT

INTRODUCTION (4 minutes)

The teacher plays two very different types of music – maybe a traditional African drumming piece and a classical European piece. After listening for about 30 seconds each, the teacher asks: “Did these two music pieces sound the same?” Pupils respond: “No!” The teacher explains: “That’s because they are different forms of music. Just like we have different types of food – rice, yam, beans – we also have different forms or types of music. Today we will learn about some of the earliest forms of music from different parts of the world.”

STEP 1: Definition of Forms of Music (6 minutes)

The teacher writes FORMS OF MUSIC on the board.

What are Forms of Music?

Forms of music means the different styles, types, or ways that music is created and performed in different places, times, and cultures.

The teacher explains in simpler terms: “Just like different people cook different kinds of soup – some make egusi, some make okra, some make pepper soup – different groups of people also created different kinds of music. Each form has its own special sound, instruments, and purpose.”

Why Do We Have Different Forms?

The teacher explains:

• Different places in the world developed their own music based on what was around them
• People used different materials to make instruments (wood, metal, animal skin, shells)
• Each culture had different reasons for making music (worship, celebration, storytelling, work)
• Music reflected the language, beliefs, and lifestyle of each group of people

The teacher uses the map to show that the world is big with many different peoples and cultures, each creating their own music.

STEP 2: Egyptian Music (7 minutes)

The teacher points to Egypt on the map. “This is Egypt in North Africa. It is a very ancient place – one of the oldest civilizations in the world.”

Where: Ancient Egypt (North Africa) – along the River Nile

When: This music existed over 5,000 years ago! Long before your great-great-great-grandparents were born.

Characteristics of Egyptian Music:

The teacher shows pictures of ancient Egyptian wall paintings showing musicians and explains:

1. Religious and Ceremonial: Egyptians used music mainly for worshiping their gods and during important ceremonies like burials of pharaohs (their kings).
2. Instruments They Used:
   1. Harps (stringed instruments shaped like bows)
   2. Flutes made from reeds that grew by the River Nile
   3. Drums and tambourines for rhythm
   4. Lyres (small stringed instruments)
   5. Sistrum (a kind of rattle used in temples)
3. Special Features:
   1. Music was written in hieroglyphics (Egyptian picture writing)
   2. Priests and priestesses were often the musicians
   3. They believed music had magical powers and could please the gods
   4. Music accompanied their dances and religious festivals
4. Purpose: Egyptians used music for temple worship, royal celebrations, funerals, and to honor their pharaohs.

The teacher explains: “When archaeologists dug up ancient Egyptian tombs, they found paintings of musicians on the walls and even found some old instruments buried with the pharaohs. This is how we know about Egyptian music today.”

STEP 3: Roman Music (7 minutes)

The teacher points to Italy (Rome) on the map. “This is where the Roman Empire was – in Europe. Romans were great warriors and builders who ruled a large part of the world.”

Where: Ancient Rome (modern-day Italy in Europe)

When: About 2,000 to 2,500 years ago

Characteristics of Roman Music:

1. Military and Entertainment: Romans loved music for army marches, theater performances, and grand celebrations.
2. Instruments They Used:
   1. Trumpets and horns for military signals (telling soldiers when to march or stop)
   2. Lyres and kitharas (larger stringed instruments)
   3. Flutes called tibiae
   4. Cymbals and drums
   5. Water organs (early keyboard instruments powered by water!)
3. Special Features:
   1. Music was very important in Roman theaters and circuses
   2. They had professional musicians who performed at banquets for rich people
   3. Roman soldiers marched to music – it helped them stay in step
   4. They borrowed ideas from Greek music but made them their own
4. Where Music Was Performed:
   1. In huge amphitheaters where thousands of people gathered
   2. During gladiator fights and chariot races
   3. At wealthy Romans’ dinner parties
   4. During religious festivals honoring Roman gods
   5. On battlefields to inspire soldiers

The teacher explains: “Romans believed music made their soldiers brave and strong. They also enjoyed music as entertainment, just like we enjoy music at parties today.”

STEP 4: African Music (10 minutes)

The teacher points to different parts of Africa on the map. “This is our own continent – Africa! African music is very special and has influenced music all over the world.”

Where: All across Africa – West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), Central Africa (Congo), Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe), North Africa (Egypt, Morocco)

When: African music is as old as African people themselves – thousands and thousands of years!

Characteristics of African Music:

1. Rhythm is King: African music has the strongest, most complex rhythms in the world. While other forms might focus on melody, African music makes rhythm the most important element.
2. Instruments Used:
   1. Drums of all types: Talking drums, djembe, dundun, bata drums – drums are the heart of African music
   2. Shakers and rattles: Made from gourds with seeds inside
   3. Thumb pianos: Called mbira or kalimba
   4. String instruments: Kora (West African harp), musical bow
   5. Flutes and horns: Made from bamboo, wood, or animal horns
   6. Xylophones: Called balafon in West Africa
3. Special Features:
   1. Call and Response: One person sings or plays, then the group responds – very common in African music
   2. Polyrhythm: Many different rhythms playing at the same time, all fitting together perfectly
   3. Dance Connection: African music and dance are partners – you can’t separate them
   4. Community Participation: Everyone joins in – it’s not just for professional musicians
   5. Talking Drums: Some drums can “speak” and send messages across long distances
   6. Improvisation: Musicians create new parts as they play, not just reading from paper
4. Purposes of African Music:
   1. Celebrating births, weddings, and harvest festivals
   2. Communicating messages between villages
   3. Worship and spiritual ceremonies
   4. Telling stories and passing down history (griots – African storytellers – sing histories)
   5. Work songs to make hard labor easier
   6. Welcoming guests and visitors
   7. Healing ceremonies
   8. Entertainment and social gatherings

The teacher demonstrates a simple call-and-response: Teacher sings “Ay-ya-ya!” and pupils respond “Ay-ya-ya!” This continues with different phrases.

The teacher emphasizes: “African music is our heritage! It spread to America during slavery and influenced jazz, blues, reggae, hip-hop, and many modern music styles. African rhythm is now heard all over the world!”

STEP 5: Baroque Music (8 minutes)

The teacher points to Europe on the map. “Baroque music came from Europe – places like Germany, Italy, France, and England.”

Where: Europe (Germany, Italy, France, Austria, England)

When: About 300-400 years ago (1600-1750) – much more recent than Egyptian, Roman, or African music

Characteristics of Baroque Music:

1. Very Organized and Fancy: Baroque means “elaborately decorated.” This music had many notes, was very complex, and sounded grand and royal.
2. Famous Baroque Composers:
   1. Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany)
   2. George Frideric Handel (Germany/England)
   3. Antonio Vivaldi (Italy) These men wrote music that people still play today in concerts and churches.
3. Instruments Used:
   1. Harpsichord (early piano)
   2. Violin, viola, cello
   3. Flute and recorder
   4. Trumpets and horns
   5. Organ (large keyboard instrument in churches)
4. Special Features:
   1. Written music (composers wrote every note on paper – musicians had to read and play exactly as written)
   2. Performed in palaces, churches, and concert halls
   3. Very formal – musicians wore fancy clothes, audiences sat quietly
   4. Music had clear beginning, middle, and end
   5. Often religious (church music) or for royal entertainment
5. Difference from African Music:
   1. Baroque: Written down, formal, focused on melody and harmony
   2. African: Passed down orally, informal, focused on rhythm and community participation
   3. Baroque: Performed by trained professionals for listening audiences
   4. African: Everyone could participate, dance was included

The teacher explains: “Baroque music sounds very different from African music. It’s not better or worse – just different! Both are beautiful in their own ways.”

EVALUATION (3 minutes)

1. What does “forms of music” mean?
2. Name the four early forms of music we learned about today.
3. Where did Egyptian music come from? What instruments did they use?
4. What made African music special and different from other forms?
5. In which form of music were drums most important – Baroque or African?
6. Which form of music is the newest – Egyptian, Roman, or Baroque?