Everything is a Remix
Exploring music you love in order to learn and grow
This lesson is designed to teach students the concept that all music builds upon existing ideas and influences. By analyzing their favorite songs and borrowing key elements, students will create their own unique compositions, exploring and experimenting with musical ideas.
Song Listening Guide
This song listening guide can be used to bring student attention to various aspects of songs. Students can uses the information they collect to assist in choosing what aspect of their favorite songs they would like to draw inspiration from.
Lesson Plan
Objective:
Students will analyze their favorite songs to identify key elements and use these elements to create their own unique compositions. This lesson emphasizes the concept that all music is influenced by previous works and encourages students to explore and experiment with musical ideas.
Materials Needed:
1. Access to students' favorite songs (audio or video)
2. Handouts for song analysis
3. Pencils/pens
4. Instruments or DAW (optional)
5. Recording devices (optional)
Lesson Activities:
Introduction:Discuss the concept that "everything is a remix," explaining how all music builds upon existing ideas and influences. Play a few examples of well-known songs that have borrowed elements from other songs and discuss these influences.
Song Analysis:
Distribute the handouts for song analysis, which list key elements for which to listen. Have students listen to their favorite songs and identify one or more elements they would like to use in their own composition.
Creating Unique Compositions:
Students will use the chosen elements from their analyzed songs to create their own unique compositions. Encourage students to experiment and modify these elements to make them their own. Provide instruments or DAW access for students to compose and experiment with their musical ideas.
Rehearsal and Performance
Students will practice their compositions, optionally using instruments or a DAW. Facilitate a performance session where students can share their compositions with the class. Optionally, students can record their performances using available recording devices.
Sharing and Discussion:
Students will share their compositions and the elements they borrowed from their favorite songs. Facilitate a discussion on the creative process and how borrowing elements from existing music helped shape their unique compositions.
National Core Arts Standards Alignment:
Creating (MU.1.5a): Students will generate musical ideas for various purposes and contexts.
Performing (MU.2.5a): Students will demonstrate the ability to read and perform music.
Responding (MU.1.5a): Students will perceive and analyze music.
Connecting (MU.0.5a): Students will synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make music.
Additional Tips and Tricks:
1. Students may feel an urge to be "completely original." Part of this lesson is to help them understand that, not only is that impossible, it's also undesirable. Learning from the artists that came before us is a part of the journey!
2. The listening is as important as the writing in this lesson. Since students are listening to their favorite songs, this is a great opportunity to learn more about them.
3. Encourage students to look up the lyrics and chord progressions online to help them with their listening!
Addition notes:
This lesson was inspired by the “Everything is a Remix” Youtube series by Kirby Ferguson. This video seems to me as PG-13 in the way a fine art museum would be, so pre-screen before sharing with students.