Using rap and Jamaican dance hall music in the secondary music classroom

Abstract

This article reports on a study carried out in a secondary school in the Island of Jamaica. One grade 7 class ( n=20) and one grade 9 class ( n = 23) were taught a six-week unit of lessons aimed at facilitating student listening, performing and composing. Rap and Jamaican dance hall music were used as the stimulus for students' rhythmic accompaniment compositions. Students performed their accompaniments and completed a brief questionnaire at the end of the unit. Students reported that the rap and dance hall music were a positive influence on their enjoyment of the unit. Listening skills were weak across both classes, and, overall, the grade 9 students performed at a higher level of skill than the grade 7 students. It is recommended that `directed listening' be emphasized in music classes, and that students be allowed time to self-reflect on their musical experiences.