8th Grade Moving From Classical Chords To Jazz Chords Lesson Plan Example (Music)

Topic: Moving from classical chords to jazz chords

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify the main chords in a jazz song and understand their function.

Materials

• Examples of jazz songs for analysis (or a playlist of jazz songs)
• Chord chart for each song (provided by the teacher or found online)
• Pencils and paper for taking notes

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever heard or played a jazz song before. What stood out to them about the music? What instruments were used? What was the song about?
• Have students listen to a short clip of a jazz song and have them write down any words or lyrics they can hear.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of jazz as a genre of music that emerged in the early 20th century in the United States.
• Explain that jazz is characterized by a variety of chord progressions and improvisation.
• Introduce the concept of chords and their role in music.
• Explain that chords are made up of multiple notes that are played at the same time.
• Explain that there are different types of chords, such as major, minor, and seventh chords.
• Have students listen to another short clip of a jazz song and identify the chords being used.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs or small groups to identify the chords in a short jazz song.
• Demonstrate how to use a chord chart to identify the chords being used in a song.
• Have students use the chord chart to identify the chords in the jazz song.

Independent Practice

• Have students listen to several different jazz songs and identify the chords being used in each one.
• Encourage students to make note of any patterns they notice in the way the chords are used in different jazz songs.

Closure

• Review the concept of chords and how they are used in both classical and jazz music.
• Ask students to share any patterns they noticed in the way chords are used in different jazz songs.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice and provide feedback on their chord charts.
• Collect and grade the chord charts for accuracy and understanding of jazz chords.