THE FUNKY BAG

Lesson 3

Teaching Artist: Ruaridh Pattison

SUMMARY

This is the third lesson from Recorders Without Borders, where students will build upon their recorder playing skills. Students will discover a type of music called funk by listening to James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic. Students will then perform “The Funky Bag” by Ruaridh Pattison as a class, and share it with peers, friends, and family. 

  • Students will be able to summarize important information about funk music.

  • Students will be able to set up, hold, and make a sound on the recorder.

  • Students will be able to play the notes “B,” “A,” and “G” on the recorder.

  • Students will be able to perform “The Funky Bag.”

OBJECTIVE

MATERIALS

EXPLORE

  1. Introduce students to a type of music called funk, and explain that it comes from the United States. Explore The History of Funk by asking students to read one or two lines from the webpage, pausing occasionally to ask questions: Which country does funk music come from? Which instruments are used when playing funk music?

  2. Introduce students to the sound of funk by playing these recordings:

LEARN

  1. Instruct students to set up their recorders. If necessary, replay the instructional video Setting Up the Recorder! Allow students to follow along with the instructions. Take some time to check each student’s recorder individually, making sure it is set up correctly. Optional: Place a small square of masking tape on the rear side of the recorder, between (and opposite) holes 4 and 5, to indicate where the thumb is placed.

    2. Play a brief game of “Simon Says,” making a point of highlighting the following positions with the recorder:

    • Resting Position: Have students hold the recorder with both hands in the proper position (fingering the note “B”) with the instrument resting on the thigh. (This can be done sitting and standing.)

    • Ready Position: Recorders in hands, lifted off the thigh, with fingers in their proper position, but recorder not yet touching bottom lip.

    • Playing Position: Recorders in hands, with mouthpiece on bottom lip.

    3. Use the above game to check that each student is holding their recorder with proper technique, with their left hand on top, and right thumb supporting the bottom of the recorder in the correct position. If a student is using an adaptive tool or instrument, please follow the instructions accompanied with the product.

    4. Remind students that they only use a small amount of air to make a beautiful sound on the recorder. If necessary, replay the video How to Blow Into the Recorder and Make a Beautiful Sound. Allow students a moment to participate in the activity and refine their recorder technique. 

    5. Ask students to imagine what a soft breeze feels like. Have the students create a soft breeze, blowing on their hands, so that they can feel the cool air. Then, ask the students to show a B in resting position. Have the students bring the recorder into playing position, and while imagining the soft breeze, play a beautiful “B.” Repeat with the note “A,” which students learned last lesson (View How to Play the Note “B” and  How to Play the Note “A” to remind students of the correct fingerings.) 

    6. Tell students they will now play a game on the recorder. The teacher will play a rhythm on the note “B” using the syllable “du” to articulate each note. The class will then imitate the teacher’s rhythm. Repeat several times with different rhythms. Play the same game, using the note “A.” Optional: Have a volunteer student suggest a simple rhythm to be imitated by the class. 

    7. Optional: Review the two previous songs learned, by viewing Learn the B Happy Blues and Learn Rockin’ About Town! Students can then perform with the backing tracks using the following links: 

    8. Tell students they are now ready to learn the next note on the recorder: the note “G.” Play the video How to Play the Note “G,” pausing to make sure each student has their left thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, sealing the topmost holes of the recorder’s body, and their right thumb supporting the bottom half in the correct position. 

    9. Tell the students they are now ready to learn their next song on the recorder: “The Funky Bag.” Play the video Learn The Funky Bag! Pause as necessary to ensure each student is building the skills and confidence to play the new song. Repeat any of the above steps as necessary to reinforce understanding and develop routine skills for future lessons. 

PERFORM+SHARE

  1. Once students have participated in the entirety of the Learn The Funky Bag! video, and are comfortable with each of the above steps, tell them they are ready to perform their next song on the recorder. Prepare students to be in “playing position” with correct technique, then play the backing track video Songs to Play: The Funky Bag.

  2. Record a video or audio version of your  students’ performance, then upload it to the S'Cool Sounds Padlet.