[JPL] Educational Presentations

[Larry Appelbaum]

    Jae,

As with programming, education requires knowing your audience and tailoring materials to best communicate. For basics in structured lesson planning, there are available materials on the web sites of the National Endowment for the Arts, the
 Smithsonian, the Monk Institute, IAJE, and other organizations. Some are better than others. There are also good links at the Music Library Association website.

As for recorded examples to play young students, you're on the right track about finding jazz versions of songs they'd recognize. For example, in order to demonstrate simple syncopated approaches to rhythm, I like to play Louis Jordan's (or Dizzy Gillespie's) version of School Days, which makes uses of familiar nursery rhymes. You can also use skip rope jumping songs. Kids of any age will get that.

Larry
 
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> 
> Morning folks....opinions and thoughts on this please and Ed this might be something to talk about at the summit...particularly since few seem to be interested in talking about anything to do with radio on this list or how we can get this music to more folks. 
> 
> I get asked to do clinics and workshops frequently....either as a drummer or composer...or simply jazz educator... to different groups within the community or the
 educational systems. I know how to convey the music in an instrumental context to students of various ages. At times it's more about the history and others the music. When you get asked to come in as a "programmer" to do a presentation to kids on jazz...it's very different. I'm really curious as to how non musician programmers approach this. Anyone care to chime in on this here? 
> 
> Say you're asked to come in to a group of elementary to middle school to talk about jazz. What music would you bring? One of the things I do is try to find a connection....with something in the rhythm....That will be the first thing they relate to. Where you go from there is always the tricky part. I did one recently for an elementary school and most wanted to hear Soldier Boy. YIKES! Sometimes you leave these things feeling good knowing that many got it but that was one day where I felt many didn't. I've also learned that the time of day you do these things is important and that
 was the last hour of the day for them for that workshop. 
> 
> For me I usually try to approach it from a "musical" perspective regardless...like... this is an example of "swing." Or this is when "improvisation" starts after the "melody" and why...etc. I've learned that many don't have a clue as to what or where the melody is in instrumental music so identifying this to them helps tremendously but I never spoon feed them. The point I've come to realize is all won't get it so I don't try. That's my thinking...if 25 our of that 100 get it...I've done my job. If some programmers could share their methods of presentation...that would be great...as it relates to different age groups. This is something that could really help jazz but fewer programmers are being asked to do this with younger groups unfortunately. It's also important to note that some musicians don't necessarily make good clinicians. I saw one recently where the "named" musician gave one to HS students
 and said...."okay, we're going to play a blues" and starting playing and
> stretching out for 10 minutes. Then after it was over said..."that was a blues...any questions?" Most of them had that deer in the head light look on their faces and no one asked a question. This is one area where those in jazz do little to enhance the perception of the music. 
> 
> Jae Sinnett 

 



      
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