© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – A KS2 / KS3 Scheme of Work Resource An Overview and ten lesson plans that will take your class from first skills to first performance. Compiled by Richard McKerron with core content from Andy Gleadhill
At Drums for Schools we understand that teachers don’t just need a detailed resource book to help with the delivery of material unfamiliar to them, they also benefit from ‘Quick Reference’ lesson plans that will allow them to stay on track at a glance. The ten lesson plans and Overview document that we provide here are based upon content from ‘Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book’ and act as an accompaniment to it. You can use this resource to teach Caribbean Steel Pans to your classes, but we recommend that you acquire a copy of the book in order to fully grasp the concepts and warm-up techniques for yourself.
Caribbean Steel Pans – Primary Lesson Plans Overview Objectives Content and Activities
Lesson Lesson One
• •
To learn about the origins of Steel Pan music. To learn about the instruments used in a Steel Pan band.
•
Lesson Two
• •
To learn the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. To learn how to play a scale of G using the correct sticking.
•
Develop the basic skills and techniques further to allow for fluent playing using alternate hands to play a scale.
Lesson Three
•
To play the full ascending scale of G in the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan and to learn how to repeat a pattern accurately after the teacher.
• • •
Consolidate basic skills and warm-up techniques. Practise fine scale work. Play consistently at different speeds.
Lesson Four
•
To learn the scale of G ascending and descending on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. To learn to play the arpeggio on the scale of G.
•
Perfect playing the scale of G both ascending and descending in order to increase general performance fluency. Investigate arpeggios on the same scale.
Lesson Five
•
To learn the sequences of the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan and to learn to play the first notes of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
• •
Engage in more varied warm-up sequences. Begin to learn the first part of the main melody.
•
Key Musical Vocabulary: Melody, rhythm, tune, unison, harmony, bass, accompaniment, percussion. All: Will be able to play the melody slowly with support.
•
Take part in a teacher led discussion about the Caribbean and the influences of the petroleum industry. Learn some basic techniques and warm-up activities.
Resources Required: Jumbie Jam Steel Pans, percussion, performance space, presentation screen & sound system.
Most: Will be able to perform the melody fluently and take on accompaniments.
Some: Will take a lead role in directing and supporting others.
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pans – Primary Lesson Plans Overview Objectives Content and Activities
Lesson Lesson Six
•
To learn how to play a roll on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan and to learn the opening roll section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
• •
Learn how to perform a sustained roll on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans in order to extend a note. Learn the unison section of the melody.
Lesson Seven
•
To begin to learn the verse of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” and to learn how to build up each section.
• • •
Learn the verse section of the melody. Put everything together in sequence from roll to unison to verse. Introduce additional percussion.
Lesson Eight
•
To learn about the accompanying part of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” and to learn how each of the two parts of melody and accompaniment fit together.
•
Learn the accompanying sections and understand how these interact with the main melody playing over the top. Learn the basics of harmony.
Lesson Nine
•
To learn about the accompanying and bass parts of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” and to learn how each of the three parts fit together.
• •
Learn the bass section that accompanies the melody. Construct a full performance that uses all sections ready for the public performance next week.
Lesson Ten
•
To be able to play the entire performance ready piece in front of a live audience.
•
Perform in front of a live audience and talk about their involvement in the performance. Detail what role their part plays in the song.
•
•
Key Musical Vocabulary: Melody, rhythm, tune, unison, harmony, bass, accompaniment, percussion. All: Will be able to play the melody slowly with support.
Resources Required: Jumbie Jam Steel Pans, percussion, performance space, presentation screen & sound system
Most: Will be able to perform the melody fluently and take on accompaniments.
Some: Will take a lead role in directing and supporting others.
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson One – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the origins of Steel Pan music. • To learn about the instruments used in a Steel Pan band.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand how Steel Pan music evolved in Trinidad. • Students will recognise the different sections of a Steel Pan band Warm-up and Starter • Talk about the Caribbean and the development of Steel Pan music. You might like to watch one of these videos to help you: KS2: Video Link KS3: Video Link • Introduce the students to the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. Main Activity • Explain the correct way to hold the Steel Pan beaters. • Explain the meaning of the letters R and L in relation to the right and left beater. • Explain the scale of G, as used on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Begin to teach and learn exercise 1.
Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: The Jumbie Jam Steel Pan.
Chapter 3: Basic Playing Techniques. Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1. Chapter 2: The Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1 .
Independent Work Practise playing the scale of G Performance & Plenary • Help the students play a performance of exercise 1. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Two – Quick Reference Objective • To learn the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • To learn how to play a scale of G using the correct sticking.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will recognise the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Students will understand how to play the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. Warm-up and Starter • Listen to ‘Yellow Bird’ and discuss the style and feel of the music. What instruments can they hear in the background? Yellow Bird • Students should become relaxed and “Ready to Play”. • With students copying you, shake your arms and hands loosely by your side and roll your head around to relax the neck. Main Activity • Explain the meaning of the letters R and L in the music. • Begin to learn the exercises 1a, 1b and 1c.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.
Independent Work Practise the scale of G, as used on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. Performance & Plenary • Listen to this performance of ‘Tropical Bird’. Do the students recognise it? It is a Steel Pan version of the song they heard at the start of the lesson • Tropical Bird • What are the differences between the two versions? What are the similarities? Which version do they prefer and why?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Three – Quick Reference
Page Reference
Objective • To play the full ascending scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • To learn how to repeat a pattern accurately after the teacher.
Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand how to play the ascending scale of G accurately on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Students will recognise and repeat different rhythms. Warm-up and Starter • Sing along to Yellow Bird using one of these karaoke videos. KS2: Yellow Bird (Nursery) KS3: Yellow Bird (karaoke version) • With KS3 pupils you might like to discuss the lyrics and in particular the portrayal of women in this song. How do your class feel about this? They might like to suggest their own alternative lyrics • Play exercises 1a, 1b and 1c. • Play the exercises at different tempi; normal, slow, fast. Main Activity • Play the ascending scale of G using one hand after the other on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Play simple rhythms for the students to repeat on the note low G.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 2, Repeat after me.
Independent Work Continue to practise the scale of G and/or in pairs invent rhythms on low G for your partner to copy back. Performance & Plenary • Help the students play a performance of exercise 2. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Four – Quick Reference Objective • To learn the scale of G ascending and descending on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • To learn to play the arpeggio of the scale of G.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will be able to play the scale of G ascending and descending on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. • Students will be able to play the arpeggio of the scale of G altogether as a group. Warm-up and Starter • From now on lessons can begin with warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises. • You can also include the song Yellow Bird, to incorporate some vocal work into the lesson Main Activity • Play the ascending scale of G using one hand after the other on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Play the descending scale of G using one hand after the other on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Begin to learn the arpeggio of the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 2, Arpeggios.
Independent Work Practise scales and arpeggios of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. Performance & Plenary • Help the students play a performance of the arpeggios of the scale of G. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Five – Quick Reference Objective • To learn the sequences of the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • To learn to play the first notes of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will be able to play the sequences of the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. • Students will play together the opening notes of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Warm-up and Starter • Listen to The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) and ask your students what the song is about, what are the emotions and feelings of the song and how does the music create these? Banana Boat (Day-O) • Get ready to play with the warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises, and singing Yellow Bird if you want to include singing. Main Activity • Explain how the sequences work with the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. • Begin to play the sequences using the scale of G on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. • Begin to learn the unison section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Sequences. Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Independent Work Invent your own sequences Performance & Plenary • Help the students to begin to construct a performance of the arpeggios and sequences of the scale of G. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Six – Quick Reference
Page Reference
Objective • To learn how to play a roll on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • To learn the opening roll section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand how to play a sustained note (roll) on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pans. • Students will be able to perform the opening section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Warm-up and Starter • Start the lesson by singing along to The Banana Boat song using this karaoke video, or providing your own accompaniment: The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) • Sing along to Yellow Bird • Get ready to play, with warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises. Main Activity • Explain how to perform a roll to create sustained long notes on the Jumbie Jam Steel Pan. • Continue to learn the unison section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • Begin to put together the unison and opening rolled sections of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Rolls – Short and Long Sounds. Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Independent Work Invent your own sequences for a partner to copy Performance & Plenary • Help the students to begin to put together a performance of the two sections of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Seven – Quick Reference Objective • To begin to learn the verse of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • To learn how to build up each section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand how to play the verse section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • Students will understand how to build up Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Warm-up and Starter • From now on lessons can begin with warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises. • You can also include Yellow Bird and The Banana Boat song if you want to have some singing in the lesson. Main Activity • Begin to learn the verse section of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • Begin to build up the three sections of the tune; o Roll section o Unison section o Verse section • Begin to introduce percussion instruments and talk about how these can be part of the performance of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Chapter 12: Creating a Performance. Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads. Chapter 8: Adding Percussion and Other Instruments.
Independent Work Play call and response rhythms with a partner on untuned percussion instruments, to practise your instrumental technique Performance & Plenary • Help the students to begin to put together a performance of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • What went well? • What can be done better next time? © Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Eight – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the accompanying part of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • To learn how each of the two parts of melody and accompanying parts fit together.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand the accompanying parts. • Students will understand how the melody and accompanying parts fit together and complement each other in the full score. Warm-up and Starter • Watch this steel band performance and discuss what makes it successful: Video Link • From now on lessons can begin with warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises. • You can also include singing through Yellow Bird and The Banana Boat Song Main Activity • To introduce the accompanying parts for Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • To learn how to fit the melody and accompanying parts together. • Begin to add additional percussion instruments to the band.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Chapter 12: Creating a Performance. Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads. Chapter 8: Adding Percussion and Other Instruments.
Independent Work Students should identify aspects of the piece that they are finding difficult, and rehearse these. Performance & Plenary • Help the students to begin to put together a performance of the melody and accompanying parts of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Nine – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the accompanying and bass parts of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • To learn how each of the three parts of melody, accompaniments and bass fit together.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will understand the accompanying and bass parts. • Students will understand how the three parts of melody, accompaniments and bass fit together in the full score. Warm-up and Starter • From now on lessons can begin with warm-up exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and the repeat after me exercises, and singing Yellow Bird and The Banana Boat Song.
Main Activity • To introduce the accompanying and bass parts for Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. • To learn how to fit the melody, accompaniments and bass parts together. • Rehearse the whole piece with all three parts and added percussion.
Chapter 6: Warm-up and Practise Exercises; Exercise 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, Repeat After Me.
Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Chapter 12: Creating a Performance. Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads.
Independent Work Discuss ideas for how to make the performance really special, including who to invite next week and how to prepare the room. Performance & Plenary • Help the students to construct a full performance of the whole of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” ready for the performance next lesson. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Caribbean Steel Pan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Ten – Quick Reference Objective • To be able to play the entire performance ready piece in front of a live audience.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Caribbean Steel Pan Book
Outcome • Students will be able to perform the whole of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” in front of a live audience. Warm-up and Starter • Prepare the performance venue as agreed last lesson. • Arrange seating for the audience and have the players “Ready to Perform” by their instruments in a professional manner. Main Activity • Introduce the performance. • As a class, play through the whole of Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song” as planned. • Particular students from each section of the band can explain their role and how it fits in to the bigger picture. • You can also include the two songs you have learnt to sing, or even teach them to the audience
Chapter 12: Creating a Performance.
Chapter 13: Six Tunes; Tune One – Day O, “The Banana Boat Song”. Chapter 12: Creating a Performance.
Plenary • Watch a video of your performance if you can and ask the students how they felt it went. • What can they tell you about Steel Pan Music?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com