Objectives: What images can music bring to mind?  Musician and improviser, Davu Seru, is a well-known Jazz drummer in the Twin Cities.  Much of the music he plays and composes is without words (lyrics).  In this activity, you will listen to various types of songs – all without words – and create your own story based on how the song melody makes you feel and the images it brings to mind.

Tools/Resources: MN Original video clip, headphones, pencil/pen and paper, three different examples of songs without lyrics – use songs from various cultures, regions, time periods, etc.

Activity
1) Watch the segment and discuss:

a. What is unique about Davu Seru’s style of music?

b. What is a musical improviser?

c. Why do you think Davu Seru uses unusual instruments and items to create music?

d. What visual images come to mind when you listen to one of Davu Seru’s songs?

2) Play songs:

a. Play a section or the whole song three times. Close your eyes the first time and just listen. Second time write down the first words or images that come to mind. Third time, listen and actively write three sentences describing what you see while listening to the song and explain why to a partner.

3) Write your story:

a. It can be fiction or nonfiction, real or imagined, personal or about someone else.

b. Pick one of the three songs to listen to and write a story – think of the song as a soundtrack for a movie: who are the main characters, where does the story take place, when does the story take place, what is the issue, etc.

c. Share your finished story.

For information on the academic standards fulfilled by this activity download the full guide.