In this lesson, students will be introduced to the djembe drum, oral traditions, and the ways in which the djembe is used in West African cultural celebrations and ceremonies.
Djembe Traditions
In this lesson, students will learn basic hand placement techniques for playing the djembe and drum maintenance with Weedie Braimah.
Djembe Techniques
In this lesson, students will learn basic hand placement, the three djembe sounds, and drum maintenance with Weedie Braimah.
New Orleans Music for Recorders
In this six song collection, students will learn and perform New Orleans music on the recorder. Select from a solo version, solo with note names version, and/or a duet version.
In this lesson, students will learn the lyrics, song form, and instrument techniques for the traditional song “Hindustan.” Students will illustrate their understanding of the song with a performance.
Hindustan
In this lesson, students will learn the lyrics, song form, and instrument techniques for the traditional song “Hindustan”. Students will illustrate their understanding of the song with a performance.
In this lesson, students will learn the lyrics, song form, and instrument techniques for the traditional song “Make Me a Pallet on the Floor.” Students will illustrate their understanding of the song with a performance.
Make Me a Pallet
Students will learn the iconic New Orleans song “I'm Walkin'” by Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino in this free lesson plan for grades 9–12.
I’m Walkin’
Members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band wrote "Keep Your Head Up" inspired by their travels and musical collaborations in Cuba.
Keep Your Head Up
In this lesson for grades 9–12, students will learn the lyrics, song form, and instrument techniques for “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
When the Saints Go Marching In
In this lesson, students will perform a two-song interpretation for a New Orleans jazz funeral – the dirge “In the Sweet By and By” and an uptempo spiritual “Sing On”
Jazz Funeral Songs
In this free lesson plan on New Orleans music and improvisation, students will learn the 12-bar blues form and explore improvising over a Bb blues using the Bb blues scale.
B-Flat Blues Scale Improvisation
Graphic for the Preservation Hall Lessons lesson plan on the 12-Bar Blues featuring Bessie Smith and Professor Longhair.
The 12-Bar Blues
Free Lesson Plan on Collective Improvisation in New Orleans Music – Preservation Hall Lessons is led by New Orleans jazz musicians and is FREE to access online.
Intro to New Orleans Polyphony
Pianist Sweet Emma Barrett and trumpeter Mark Braud appear in this free lesson plan on the iconic New Orleans jazz song "Bill Bailey" – Preservation Hall Lessons is free to access for teachers, music educators, students, musicians and all who wish to learn about New Orleans music.
Bill Bailey Improvisation in F
Preservation Hall Lessons – Trumpet Technique with Preservation Hall Trumpeter Kevin Louis
Trumpet Technique
Preservation Hall Lessons – New Orleans Trumpet Introduction with Preservation Hall Trumpeter Kevin Louis
Trumpet Introduction
Preservation Hall Lessons – New Orleans Trombone Technique Lesson with Preservation Hall trombonist Freddie Lonzo
