Lesson 1: What is calypso?
Discovering the origins and some of the key features of calypso music before performing a calypso style song.
Learning objective
To understand the main features of calypso music.
Success criteria
I can discuss the origins of the calypso tradition.
I can name the key features of calypso music.
I can perform a calypso song.
Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall:
Vocabulary used to describe music, such as rhythm and pitch.
Vocabulary used to describe musical symbols such as notes, quavers and crochets.
Music from different times and parts of the world has different features.
Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall:
Vocabulary used to describe music, such as rhythm and pitch.
Vocabulary used to describe musical symbols such as notes, quavers and crochets.
Music from different times and parts of the world has different features.
Optional: provide each child with a copy of the Knowledge catcher (see link: Assessment: Music KS2: Instrumental: Caribbean) and ask them to complete it to the best of their ability. Explain that at the end of the unit, they will revisit it, adding more information in a different colour.
Play the link: 'Calypso Rose' by Calypso Queen on VideoLink. Talk to the children about what they saw and heard.
Ask them:
Optional: provide each child with a copy of the Knowledge catcher (see link: Assessment: Music KS2: Instrumental: Caribbean) and ask them to complete it to the best of their ability. Explain that at the end of the unit, they will revisit it, adding more information in a different colour.
Play the link: 'Calypso Rose' by Calypso Queen on VideoLink. Talk to the children about what they saw and heard.
Ask them:
- What is the song about? (Being the best calypso singer and the queen of calypso.)
- How does the music make you feel?
- Why does it make you feel that way?
- Where in the world do you think the song is from? (Trinidad in the Caribbean.)
- What kind of music is this? (Calypso.)
Explain to the children that calypso music originated in Trinidad and was influenced by the music of the West African enslaved people trafficked to the Caribbean. Inform them that they will learn more about calypso music and learn to sing, play and improvise in a calypso style!
Display slides 1 and 2 of the Presentation: What is calypso? Discuss the historical origins and spread of this musical tradition.
Display slide 6 of the Presentation: What is calypso?
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In this unit
Assessment – Music KS2: Instrumental: Caribbean
- Current lesson
Lesson 1: What is calypso?
Lesson 2: What’s the story?
Lesson 3: Instrumental calypso
Lesson 4: Calypso quavers
Lesson 5: Pentatonic calypso
