Wyclef Jean
for VH1 Storytellers

A VH1 Save The Music Special
VH1 Music Studio Cable in the Classroom 

Lessons for High School School Music Classes



Lesson 1 of 4 

*(Note to teachers: Please view this videotape for appropriateness for your classes. Some of the lyrics
have sexual innuendo and others mention a violent end to the life of a drug dealer.)

Objectives Students will identify and describe the elements of music and techniques they hear in
performances in different styles. 

National Standards: Content Standard 6--Listening to, analyzing, and describing music: Students
analyze aural examples of a varied repertoire of music, representing diverse genres and cultures, by
describing the uses of elements of music and expressive devises.

Materials

Ä Videotape of VH1 Storytellers Wyclef Jean 
Ä Television and VCR 
Ä Several four-beat flash cards for each set of two students (rhythms on the flash cards include
  rhythms present in the familiar song selected for the lesson). 
Ä Worksheet printed out from the end of this lesson 
Ä Recorded examples of two or three guitar styles unfamiliar to students, from, for example, 
  The Guitar Player Presents: Legends of Guitar (Rhino R270563), which includes two volumes
  for most styles: classical (one volume), jazz, electric blues, country, surf (one volume), 50s rock,
  60s rock, 70s rock 
Ä Audio-playback equipment 

Prior Knowledge and Experience 
Students have listened to many guitar recordings in different styles. 

Procedures 

1.Have students view and listen to the first segment of the video Wyclef Jean: Storytellers. Wyclef
  performs a classical guitar riff and then segues into a ballad "Gone Till November." 
2.Have students listen and watch for techniques used on each piece. Then distribute the worksheet,
  and using the listening as a point of reference, review the elements of music and the guitar
  techniques listed on the worksheet 
3.Have students view the tape segment again. Have them write terms (not sentence) that identify the
  unique features of the music; that is, uses of elements of music and guitar techniques. Discuss
  and replay as necessary. 
4.Play one or two additional selections from the recordings suggested in Materials or recordings in
  your school¹s library. Have students listen to them and analyze them as in step 3. 
5.Have students, using their individual handouts, summarize the similarities and differences between
  the styles they have heard. 
  

Indicators of Success 

Students accurately analyze and describe the musical elements and techniques in guitar performances. 

Follow-up 

Have students identify the use of different techniques and of elements of music in the career development
of a particular guitarist. Have students listen to performances on guitar (and on related string instruments)
from different classical periods and styles. Ask them to analyze and identify what they hear. 

Guitar Listening Worksheet

1st example 2nd example 3rd example 

Expression 

accurate tempo 

                               

appropriate dynamics 

                               

correct phrasing 

                               

consistency of all of the above 

                               

Technical 

accurate pitch 

                               

accurate rhythm 

                               

"clean," coordinated finger work 

                               

correct hand and body position 

                               

consistency of all of the above 

                               

Nonmusical 

stage presence (if applicable)


This lesson is adapted from Strategies for Teaching Middle-Level and High School Guitar,
Compiled and Edited by William E. Purse, James L. Jordan, and Nancy Marsters (MENC, 1998). 


VH1, in partnership with Cable in the Classroom, collaborated with
MENC: The National Association for Music Education to develop this series of lessons. 


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. 

2/2000 
Storytellers/Wycleff
Lesson 1