Banjo+Sam

This was a lesson I put together for 2nd grade general music. It was a big hit with the students. It uses the song Banjo Sam, which is an old American Folk song that dates back to the 1910's. The author is unknown, but it has been passed down through the years, mostly by rote. The students had done a lot of singing in the past, both with music and by rote. I chose to do this lesson by rote since that's how folk songs were generally passed down from generations. I started by using a hook and promising if the students were extra well-behaved and if //everyone// listened and sang they would get a special surprise at the end of the period. That worked really well in keeping their attention. At the end of the period, after they'd sung with the banjo, several students asked if they could try playing it. I had not initially planned on that as part of the lesson, but it worked really well. I gave each student a turn to strum the banjo (it is tuned to an open G chord, so it sounded good if they played it open) which gave them the added experience of playing an instrument.

Lyrics: Catfish, catfish, goin' upstream. Catfish, catfish, where you been? I grabbed that catfish by the snout And turned that catfish wrong side out. Yo-Ho! Banjo Sam!


 * Subject/Grade:** 2nd grade general music
 * Concepts/Skills/Values** Listening and repeating sung phrases, identify banjo by listening, sing a capella and with accompaniment
 * National Standards: ** Sing, Listen, Play, Related Arts, History/Culture

Students will listen and repeat sung phrases to make a song. Students will be able to identify the sounds of a banjo in a piece. Students will be able to sing with banjo accompaniment. Students will be able to identify two different ways a banjo can be played.
 * Behavior Learning Objectives:**

Banjo, Banjo music on CD
 * Materials:**

1. Alert the students that they will get a special surprise if they listen really well and learn a fun new song. 2. Have the students listen to excerpt of the banjo CD. 3. Ask if anyone knows what instrument was playing. (banjo) 4. Explain that the song we’re going to learn is about a banjo player. It's a folk song from the 1910's. Although we don't know who wrote it, like other folk songs, it has been passed down through the generations. 5. Sing phrase by phrase call and response with the lines of the song a capella. 6. Add two phrases at a time. Assist if they need extra help. 7. Try the whole song. If they get it, move on. If not, try again. 8. Get out the special surprise! (banjo) 9. Play accompaniment while the students sing song through twice (strumming first time, picking second time). 10. Ask the class if they noticed how I was playing differently both times. 11. Explain the difference between strumming & plucking the strings and how each produce a different sound
 * Sequence of Activities**

If you choose to allow the students to try playing the banjo, now would be a good time! It was also suggested to me to allow the students to try strumming the banjo to the actual song while others are singing. (The teacher could play the chords with her left hand.) This could be a good idea, because it would actively involve all of the students while each has a turn to strum. It would also give the students the opportunity to accompany singing.