BLUEGRASS DAY LESSON PLAN
Seeing kids on stage often inspires other young people to learn how to play an instrument or sing. The Hartley Family has performed in several schools (for elementary and high school students). They encourage young people in many audiences to make their own music!
A performance at this type of venue would probably include most of the following (depending on time constraints):
1) A Brief Summary of the Roots of Bluegrass Music
a. Origins in the British Isles
b. “Mountain Music” (Appalachia, the Ozarks)
c. Development by Bill Monroe into the genre existing today as “bluegrass”.
2) Spotlight each instrument and then play a song featuring that instrument or, briefly, some “licks” (musical phrases used in many different songs) on that instrument. Instruments spotlighted:
FIDDLE (Talk about the importance of the fiddle in mountain music and in bluegrass today. Play a traditional song/instrumental on it.)
GUITAR (“Wildwood Flower”, a pre-bluegrass Carter Family tune incorporated into bluegrass tradition.)
BANJO (“Cripple Creek”, bluegrass/old-time music.)
BASS (talk about and demonstrate how the bass keeps the rhythm and is an integral part of the band.)
MANDOLIN ( Mention that this was the instrument played by the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Play a brief song on it.)
DOBRO: (Play a song featuring the dobro.)
3) Talk about singing and three or four part harmony and give examples by performing a song featuring harmony singing.
4) Encourage students to play an instrument. Talk about practicing, starting out on a new instrument, etc.
THE HARTLEY FAMILY: Music with a Message
