VH1 Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 1) VH1 Music Studio Cable in the Classroom Lesson for Music Classes, Grades 7-12 Lesson 1

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Note to Teachers:  The programs viewed in conjunction with these lesson plans may include references, consistent with the eras portrayed, to substance abuse, violent acts, and topics of a sexual and/or political nature. Because this may be considered inappropriate for classroom use in some communities, you are encouraged to review the programs before presenting them to your students, and if necessary, choose those sections that enhance your lesson and are acceptable for use in your classroom.

Objectives

• Students will learn how to classify heavy metal music.
• Students will learn how, when, and why heavy metal emerged.
• Students will discuss the importance of understanding the background of a musical era.

National Standards:

6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Materials

• VHS VCR Player
• Television
• Audio playback equipment
• VH1 Heavy:  The Story of Metal (Part 1)
• Students copies of Heavy:  The Story of Metal - Prior Knowledge Worksheet (provided below)
• Student copies of Heavy:  The Story of Metal Worksheet (provided below)
• Pens/pencils (students)

Prior Knowledge:

• Students will be asked about their prior knowledge of heavy metal music; however, students do not have to have prior knowledge of heavy metal to complete this lesson.

Procedures

1. Ask students about their prior knowledge about the musical genre heavy metal.  Do they know when and where it began? 

2. Distribute copies of Heavy: The Story of Metal - Prior Knowledge Worksheet (below) and have students complete before watching the video.

3. Distribute copies of Heavy:  The Story of Metal Worksheet (below).  Instruct students to complete the worksheet as they watch the program (Questions will start from the beginning of program and continue until 00:18.).

4. Compare the worksheet on prior knowledge and the worksheet after watching the video.  What did the students learn about heavy metal music?

5. Lead a class discussion about the importance of why we need to know the backgrounds of musical genres. 

Supplemental Resources:

• Timeline of Heavy Metal Music: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_heavy_metal
• VH1 website:  www.vh1.com

Extensions:

• Have students research the political turmoil that occurred in Birmingham, England, the year heavy metal music was created in 1968 (discuss World War I and World War II).
• Have students read works from English writer, Alister Crowly, who was the inspiration for many heavy metal songs for Jimmy Page.

National Standards for Music Education
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Name_____________________

Heavy:  The Story of Metal
Prior Knowledge Worksheet

1. In what year did heavy metal music emerge?
   
   
   
   
   
2. What city is considered to be the birthplace of heavy metal music?
   
   
   
   
   
3. Name some heavy metal music bands.
   
   
   
   
   
4. How did heavy metal music begin?
   
    
   
   
   
5. How would you describe heavy metal music?  Please include a list of instruments played in the band and the feeling you get from listening to heavy metal.

Name_____________________

Heavy:  The Story of Metal Worksheet

1. Rob Halford of Judas Priest stated that while students were in school in England studying, they literally breathed heavy metal.  Explain what this means.
   
   
   
   
    
2. What city is considered to be the birthplace of heavy metal?
   
   
   
   
   
3. In what year did heavy metal emerge?
   
   
   
   
   
4. What life changing event occurred to Toni Iommi while he was working at a factory?  How did he cope with his depression?
   
   
   
   
   
5. According to the interviewer, Black Sabbath member Toni Iommi is considered to be the “Father of Heavy Metal.”   What does Toni Iommi say about that label?
   
   
   
   
   
6. Name the two main bands that were most influential in creating the musical genre heavy metal.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Many of the musicians interviewed disagreed what bands should be labeled as heavy metal.  After watching the tape, list what bands you believe should be labeled as heavy metal and the reasons why.
   
   
   
   
   
8. After watching the tape on heavy metal music, list what instruments are used, and describe how you would classify heavy metal music.

Heavy:  The Story of Metal Worksheet
Teacher’s Key

1. Rob Halford of Judas Priest stated that while students were in school in England studying, they literally breathed heavy metal.  Explain what this means. 

   The students would be learning in school, and there was a metal factory located close by.  The students could hear the metal hammers banging, and their school books would literally move on their desks.  The smoke from the metal factory would waft into the classrooms.  The students literally breathed the ‘heavy metal’ into their lunges.

2. Where is the birthplace of heavy metal?

   Birmingham, England

3. In what year did heavy metal emerge?

   1968

4. What life changing event occurred to Toni Iommi while he was working at a factory?  How did he cope with his depression?

   On Toni Iommi’s last day of work in the factory, he tried to cut sheet metal using a cutting machine.  In the process, Toni’s fingers got caught in the machine, and his fingertips were accidentally cut off.  To deal with his deep depression, he invented a prosthesis consisting of old plastic bottle tops.  He molded the plastic bottle tops to his fingertips, and then he put leather over it or a better grip.   This made the guitar sound thicker and heavier, and soon it became the quintessential Black Sabbath sound.

5. According to the interviewer, Black Sabbath member Toni Iommi is considered to be the “Father of Heavy Metal.”   What does Toni Iommi say about that label?

   Toni Iommi said that he would classify their music as heavy rock.  He had not heard of heavy metal until traveling in Europe.

6. Name the two main bands that were most influential in creating the musical genre heavy metal.

   Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin

 

7. Many of the musicians interviewed disagreed what bands should be labeled as heavy metal.  After watching the tape, list what bands you believe should be labeled as heavy metal and the reasons why.

   Answers may vary.

8. After watching the tape on heavy metal music, list what instruments are mainly used, and describe how you would classify heavy metal music.

   Answers may vary, but may contain the following instruments:

   • drums
   • bass guitar
   • electric guitar
   • voice
     
     
9. According to many musicians and critics, heavy metal music is:
   • an open-ended question
   • heard and experienced
   • felt through the sound

These standards-based materials are provided through a partnership with MENC:  The National Association for Music Education.  This lesson plan was created by MENC member Holly E. Nester, ISD #2754 Cedar Mountain Schools, Franklin, MN and Saint Michael’s School, Morgan, MN.