Sing and move to a song of celebration in a gospel/blues style.
Recognize that a blue note (flattened third) and walking bass are characteristics of the gospel/blues style.
Materials
Hand drum
Instructions
This song is called "Raise the Roof!" What does the expression "raise the roof" mean? (To celebrate, to get a party started, to cause a loud commotion.) Listen to this song and count how many times the phrase raise the roof is sung. (21 times!)
This song is written in a gospel swing style which gives two eighth notes an uneven feeling as in the rhyme "Jack, be nimble..."
Although this song is not religious, it is written in a gospel/blues style. The flattening of the third tone of the scale is a characteristic of gospel/blues music called "blue notes." It can be found when we sing I've got proof and Clap your hands, we're gonna RAISE the roof.
Echo-sing the melody until learned well. Every time the phrase raise the roof is sung, push both hands up in the air towards the ceiling three times.
Find your own space to move around the room. Listen to the drum. Move only one step for each beat of the drum.
On the hand drum, play eight quarter notes (two measures in 4/4). Everyone will walk in time to the beat. (Stop for a few seconds in between each set of beats.)
Next, play sixteen eighth notes. Students will jog in time to the beat.
Next, play four half notes. Students will step very slowly in time to the beat.
Which of these notes felt like a "walking beat?" (Eight quarter notes)
When students are comfortable, play two measures each of the different beats without stopping in between. Mix them up. End with quarter notes.
Another characteristic of gospel/blues music is a walking bass line. Does this song have a walking beat, a jogging beat, or a slow-stepping beat? (A walking beat or quarter notes)
When students have learned this song about dancing, try the choreography, using the John Jacobson video.
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