2017-18 Curriculum Unit 3 – Blues Lesson 1: Learning “Little Red Rooster”

Lesson 1: Learning “Little Red Rooster”

 

Aim: How can we explore expression and emotion through “Little Red Rooster?”
Summary: Students explore how expression conveys emotions and influences the feeling of a song.
Materials: Musical Explorers CD or online audio, chart paper, marker
Standards:
GA: MK-2GM.1, MK-2GM.2, MK-2GM.4, MK-2GM.6, MK-2GM.7, MK-2GM.8, MK-2GM.9
SC: MGK-2.1, MGK-2.2, MGK-2.4, MGK-2.5, MGK-2.6
Vocabulary: lyrics, blues, 12-bar blues, expression

 

Meet Eric

  • Meet Eric on SG18.

 

Learn About Lyrics and the Blues

  • The words of a song are called lyrics.
  • The blues is a kind of music where the lyrics are often sad or about hard times. However, it’s important to understand the difference between having the blues and singing or playing the blues, since many blues tunes leave us with a happy feeling. Singing the blues implies that even though you might have something unpleasant to deal with in life, you’re capable of continuing on in the face of misfortune—and continuing on with style!
    • What does it mean when someone says they’ve got the blues?
    • Singing the blues is like taking medicine. If you want to get rid of the blues, you need to sing the blues. 
  • Listen to “Little Red Rooster,” Track 19
    • How do you think Eric felt when his rooster went away? How do you think he feels after he sings this song?
  • The blues is also a musical form. The most common form is called 12-bar blues. The lyrics in a
    12-bar blues follow an A-A-B format. Read the lyrics together with your class, and then listen to the song again.

    • When do the lyrics repeat, and when does Eric sing something different?

 

“The term ‘blues’ has many meanings: it is a rhythm, a whole library of melodies, a system of harmonies, a vocal style of playing, and a form that, like a perfect circle, has been refined and perfected. The blues is like water from a mountain spring—clear and simple, always fresh.”

–Wynton Marsalis, Trumpeter, composer, educator, and Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center

 

Little Red Rooster

I got a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for days (A)
I got a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for days (A)
Well he keeps everything in the barnyard upset in every way (B)

When the dogs begin to bark and the hounds begin to howl (A)
When the dogs begin to bark and the hounds begin to howl (A)
Well watch out, strange kind people, little red rooster is on the prowl (B)

Well if you see my little red rooster, won’t you please drag him home? (A)
Well if you see my little red rooster, won’t you please drag him home? (A)
Well there ain’t been no peace in the barnyard since the little red rooster’s been gone (B)

I got a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for days (A)
I got a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for days (A)
Yeah, he keeps everything in the barnyard upset in every way (B)

 

Explore Expression with “Little Red Rooster”

  • Discuss expression with your students. Expression is the way someone communicates a feeling.
    • How can you tell when someone is feeling happy or sad? (e.g., the way they look, what they say, facial expression)
  • In music, we can communicate our feelings by singing the lyrics and playing the music in a certain way.
    • The way we sing is as important as the words we sing.
  • Write the sentence “I walked to school all by myself” on the board, or use SG19. Using the sentence, see how many different feelings your class can express by emphasizing different words in the sentence. Invite students to take turns expressing their feelings by shifting the emphasis to the underlined words.
  • Sing “Little Red Rooster” with Eric.
    • How can we express our feelings while we sing?

 

Musical Word Wall

Add the words lyrics, blues, 12-bar blues, and expression to the Musical Word Wall.

 

PDF Downloads

SG18 ↓ Download File
SG19 ↓ Download File

 

Musical Explorers Audio Tracks


Go to LESSON 2: EXPLORING “JUST A DREAM”