Teacher's Guide for APPLESEEDS Guitars: All Times, All Kinds

1. ______________________ music is often said to have a 'twang' to its sound. It uses both electric and acoustic guitars.
   
   
2. The ____________________ grew out of music sung by African American farm and factory workers. Many of these songs tell about hard times or broken hearts.
   
   
3. _______________________ has a driving beat and is usually quite loud.
   
   
4. People who play ______________________ music on their guitars often like to sing along. Cowboys around the campfire sang these songs.
   
   
5. While playing __________________, musicians often 'improvise', or experiment by playing a familiar tune in a different way. This music often includes solos.
   
   
6. In Spain, __________________ is a colorful dance with fancy footwork. It is accompanied by guitars and percussion instruments.
   
   
7. _____________________ has its roots in Spain. It is difficult to learn and takes lots of practice.
   
   

1. Explain the difference between an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar.
2. Why did guitarists want their music to be louder?
3. Explain how each of the following men contributed to the invention of the electric guitar: George Beauchamp, Les Paul, and Leo Fender.
4. How did electric guitars change the sound and look of music?
5. This article makes it clear that many people shared their ideas and worked together to invent the electric guitar. Write a short essay about a time that your family, your friends, or your class worked together to accomplish something that no one person could have done alone.

1. How did Les Paul make his guitar loud enough for his audience to hear?
2. Explain what is meant by 'overdubbing' and tell why you think that it produces a favorable sound.
3. Les Paul played the harmonica and the guitar at the same time. Write about 2 things that YOU can do at the same time.
4. Les Paul was named to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Give 3 reasons why you feel he was given this honor.

1. Woody Guthrie used his guitar for more than just making music. Explain his style.
2. This article says that Woody loved children. Give 3 examples showing that this was true.
3. Nora, Woody's daughter, has been very busy taking care of her father's old songs. What kind of things is she doing with them?
4. Write about something special that is in your family, or something you have seen in a museum, that you are glad has been taken care of for you to enjoy many years after the person who created it, or loved it, was gone.

1. The rajao in Portugal is shaped like a leaf. ______________________________
   
   
2. The cittern is carved from only one piece of wood. _______________________
   
   
3. Sitar in Persian means six strings. _______________________________
   
   
4. The soundboard of the balalaika is often painted with the player's name. _________________________
   
   
5. The banjo was brought to the new world by slaves from Africa. _______________
   
   
6. The yueh-ch'in from China is called a moon lute. ______________________
   
   
7. Strings for the vihuela in Spain cost little money. ________________________
   
   
8. The strings of the shamisan are made of twisted metal or cotton. ____________________________________
   
   
9. Spaniards didn't like the lute because it reminded them of their long occupation by the Moors. _________________

1. Explain what the ukulele looks like and tell why it may have been a good instrument to travel with.
2. What does the word 'ukulele' mean and which state is it most often associated with?
3. Explain two ways that the ukulele is played differently than a guitar.

Answer Key: Guitars for All Kinds of Music

1. Country & Western
2. Blues
3. Rock & Roll
4. Folk
5. Jazz
6. Flamenco
7. Classical

Answer Key: Instruments Old and New to Pick or Strum

1. False - a fish
2. True
3. False - three strings
4. False - mythical figures
5. True
6. True
7. False - very expensive
8. False - twisted silk or nylon
9. True

Project Ideas:

• Have the students listen to the 7 types of music listed on pages 4 - 7. Ask them to choose the type that they would most like to play if they were a famous guitarist. Their paragraphs should include an opening statement, details, and a conclusion.
• Have the students create a timeline outlining the development of guitars from 1920 - present using the information on pages 8 - 11. They may work in pairs to track the changes from acoustic to electric guitars. Including illustrations would be fun.
• Have the students create a Venn diagram comparing the classical guitar, folk guitar and the electric guitar. They can use the information from pages 14 and 15. They can also use a Venn diagram to compare different types of music.
• After reading "Noah's Story" and "Sharin Isbin" on pages 18 - 20, have the students write a well-organized essay detailing a talent, hobby, or sport that has progressed from continuous practicing.
• Read "Woody's Music" on pages 22 - 25 together as a class. Assign small groups of children to create new lyrics to a familiar tune. Ask them to use the style of Woody Guthrie and be sure that the song tells a story. (Remember, it can be silly!)
• Study pages 26 - 27 aloud with the children. As a class, brainstorm a list of string instruments. Have the students research the origins of other string instruments. Invite parents and community members to share a musical talent with the class.
• Use "Aloha" on page 28 as the introduction to the study of Hawaii. Include the climate, terrain, food, habits, animals, people and of course, the music of this tropical state.

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Updated: 11/21/08 01:14 pm
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