Introduction
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As musicians, we perform music from other cultures. Our world has
continued to open up with access via the World Wide Web to all other
places. This webquest should expand your awareness of other cultures and
their music.
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Task
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You have two tasks in this webquest:
Task #1: You are to explore the similarities and differences in
musical elements used in the music of Native
American, American Folk, and West
African cultures. Include instruments that are unique to each culture.
Task #2: You are to explore the various styles and functions of music
from European and Asian
cultures.
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Resource
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There is a separate page for resources for each of the five cultures.
To locate these pages, click on the links in the Task
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Process
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1. On the three Resource Sheets for Task #1 you should gather
information from the resources that refer to the elements of music:
rhythm, melody, dynamics, harmony, form, timbre and tempo.
Dynamics may not be useful in describing differences among the three
cultures, since composers in all cultures create music that can be slow
(Largo) or medium (Moderato) or fast (Allegro). It is also true that
composers in all three cultures will compose music that is soft (Piano),
medium soft (Mezzo Piano) medium loud (Mezzo Forte) or loud (Forte).
The remaining elements: rhythm, melody, harmony, form and timbre, are
often quite different from culture to culture and will help you
distinguish the music of one culture from that of another.
Remember that it is possible to point out that elements are similar
rather than different if that is the case.
2. Anytime you locate links to listen to samples of music from these
three cultures, use your resource sheet to record those elements that you
might hear.
3. Combine with another group once your three Resource Sheets have
been completed and share information to expand your findings. Between the
two groups you should arrive at some general conclusions about the musical
elements from these three cultures. Record your conclusions on the Results
Sheet.
4. On the two Resource Sheets for Task #2 you should gather
information from the resources that refer to the styles and function of
the music from the two cultures.
5. Listen to samples of music from these cultures and identify the
styles and functions you seem to be hearing.
6. Combine with another group once your two Resource Sheets have been
completed and share information to expand your findings. Between the two
groups you should arrive at some general conclusions about the styles and
functions of the music from the two cultures. Record your conclusions on
the Results Sheet.
7. When you have completed your Results Sheets, you will be given two
Open-ended questions. Use the information you and your other groups have
located to prepare your answers.
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Teacher Tips
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It is not necessary to complete Task #1 before Task #2. Even if you
are just working on Task #1 at the time, but locate information that
relates to Task #2, switch gears and record that information on the
appropriate Resource Sheet.
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Evaluation
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Conclusion
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