|
|
The Beatles |
|
|
Introduction: |
Everyone knows how
the Beatles changed the face of music. Now find out what influenced their
music. Our objective is to learn more about John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George
Harrison, and Ringo Starr's personal lives to better understand why they wrote
the music they did.
|
|
Task: |
Using the
resources below, research the lives of the 4 Beatles. Use the
following approach: "If I were a famous musician, what would
influence me enough to reflect itself in my art/music?"
Consider their upbringing (parents, siblings, hometowns, economic conditions of
their youth, etc.), significant relationships, what music/artists/bands they grew
up listening to/influenced them, early beginnings of their band (other
"Beatle" band members??), significant relationships
(girlfriends/wives/friends/managers/other musicians/children), the culture of
the time period, their religion, and the happenings of the world at the time,
etc. You can check out some of the lyrics to their songs for clues
as to what influenced them. If you get stuck for types of influences,
think of who/what influences you.
|
|
Process: |
With the information you have found,
you are to:
1)
write a 2-4 page, 1 inch margin maximum, 12 font maximum, double spaced
paper discussing what influenced all 4 Beatles, and...
2) find
a creative form of presentation of your collected information (ex. mini
drama, game show, write a song/rap about the Beatles, anything, etc.) Get
CREATIVE; speeches are not allowed. The presentation
should be 3 minutes long.
|
|
Resources: |
General Beatles sites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Specific Biographical Information on
the band members:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evaluation: |
You will be evaluated on the
following:
- Your ability to use resources and find the most pertinent
information
- The 2-4 page paper (all English class grammatical rules apply)
- The presentation (creativity, correct information, if it looks
rehearsed, etc.)
- The one page conclusion paper reflecting on what you have
learned.
|
|
Conclusion : |
Now that you have learned a bit more
about the Beatles, consider the following questions.
1. Do the Beatles still have an
impact on the music/artists you listen to? In what ways?
2. What other groups would you like
to learn more about in this context?
3. Could past composers (such
as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, etc.) have similar influences? How
could such influences affect their music.