Music & Geography: Around the World

INTRODUCE music around the world with a game

1. Ask students to name a song, and then ask where it’s from. Encourage them to research if they don’t know.

2. Repeat several times. If examples seem to all be from a very specific time or place, encourage them to think of a song from someplace else.

3. After a few rounds, students will begin to draw the connection that music is a cultural expression, and that music comes from everywhere.

EXPLORE music around the world

1. Show students a blank map of the world like this one. Explain that you will visit various locations. During each “visit” you will learn about a particular style of music that originated in that area. You may choose to execute this lesson briefly during one class or more thoroughly over several class periods.

2. Select locations/musical styles from the options below, or others of your own choosing.

   • Traditional Ojibwe singing-Minnesota/the Dakotas/Canada

   • Ragtime-St. Louis, MO

   • Mariachi-Mexico

   • Alpine yodeling-Switzerland/Austria

   • Raga-India

   • Tuvan throat singing-Mongolia

   • Kwv Thxiaj-Southeast Asia

   • Taiko- Japan

3. Once you select your places, mark the locations on a map.

4. Choose a country to “visit.” Start by listening to music in that style.

5. Using this printable worksheet, fill out a fact grid, so that students learn core characteristics of each style. You may present the material to students or have them do research on their own.

6. Visit as many places as your time frame allows. The completed grid below is a sample and should be used as a starting point. For further guidance, download all eight completed grids.

   

7. If you wish, continue “visiting” countries/regions throughout the year. Customize the lesson by visiting a region that you or one of your students has lived in.