| Syncopation: Feel the Beat
Songwriting Activity
Identify Natural Images in
Lyrics
- Listen again to the lyrics of "Down
by the River."
Down by the river
Under the moon.
I heard the water
Singing this tune.
- Note the use of natural images--river, moon, water--in
the lyrics. Images taken from nature are common to traditional styles
of music, such as American blues and folk. For example, most people,
regardless of their backgrounds or experiences, can appreciate the uncertainty
expressed in folk musician Bob Dylan's classic line from his song "Blowin'
in the Wind": "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind."
Write New Lyrics
- Consider a variety of natural images (fog, hurricanes,
ocean waves, clouds, rain) and think about how they could be used to
express a social viewpoint in lyrics.
- Write a new set of lyrics for the melody of "Down
by the River" using natural images. Use the same number of syllables
per line (5-4-5-4).
Perform Your Lyrics
- Sing your lyrics while playing "Down
by the River": response only. You should begin singing at 0:45,
as cued by the voice saying "Here we go." The organ will create a response
to your vocals.
- Evaluate how your lyrics fit the song. Make revisions
or write additional lyrics to sing at 1:09. After rehearsing your song,
perform it for others or make an audio recording of it.
- On your worksheet, complete the Performance Activity
section.
Optional Lyrics
- Instead of using universal, natural images, write
a set of lyrics using contemporary images, such as technology.
- Perform your lyrics in the same way as described
above.
Web
Links Extension
Go to the Web Links Extension to expand your understanding
of syncopated blues rhythms and blues musicians.
You can now choose another Performance Activity.
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