TeachRock

Motivational Activity:

1. Play part or all of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s song “Despacito,” and ask students to raise their hand if they know the song (Note: this link will open to the official song on YouTube, we suggest loading the video before class to avoid showing advertising during class. The video contains images that may be considered inappropriate. We suggest letting students hear the song without watching the video.) Ask students:
   • Do you know where Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are from? (Answer: Puerto Rico.)
   • What might make this song different than other hit songs in the United States? (Encourage students to think about the language of the lyrics, as well as any unique Musical aspects they might discover.)
   • What signals this song as “Latin”? (In addition to the language, encourage students to listen for unique instruments or rhythms that might be unique to Latin American countries.)

Procedure:

1. Tell students that they will be analyzing some of the rhythms and instruments that went into making “Despacito” to see what sort of other musical styles inspired the song. Split students into four groups, and give one of the four pages of Handout 1 – “Select Latin American Genres” to each group.  
2. Tell student groups that they will be responsible for presenting information about the genre in their handout to the rest of the class, as well as teaching the class the Musical activity featured in the handouts. (If needed, help student groups learn the rhythms by counting to 8 and clapping on the numbers highlighted in the handouts. Encourage students to start slow, and speed up once they understand the rhythm.)
3. After all the student groups have finished presenting their genres to the class, split students into three groups, with each responsible for one of the Latin rhythms discussed (Reggaeton, Cubia, Salsa). Establish a tempo, and ask groups to clap their rhythms when called upon. At first, call on groups one at a time. Once students are comfortable, call upon two groups at a time to hear how the rhythms sound in combination. Try to reach the point where all three groups can be clapping their rhythms together. Be sure to maintain a consistent tempo throughout.
4. Play students a video clip in which producers Mauricio Rengífo and Andres Torres discuss how they incorporated these genres into “Despacito.” (Note: this link will open to the official video on Genius. Start the video at 2:27, end it at 7:50.) Ask students:
   • What kind of “Rules” did Mauricio Rengífo and Andres Torres say they broke in making the song? What parts of “Despacito” did they say were not “normal”?
   • Why did the producers feel the need to mix both digital and acoustic tracks for the song? (Encourage students to think about how the producers mentioned that acoustic instruments gave the song “soul” and “life”.)
   • What instruments do the producers use to signify Salsa music?
   • What instruments do the producers use to signify Cumbia music?
   • What instruments do the producers use to signify traditional Puerto Rican music?
   • How do Rengífo and Torres use the Timbales in the song? Do they use it as it is traditionally used in Salsa? (If necessary, remind students that Rengífo mentions the timbales help you feel that “a new part is coming”.)  
5. Pass out Handout 2 – “Close Listening Activity”. Replay the Despacito video again, asking to students to listen carefully while filling out the handout. (See “Close Listening Answers” for the correct answers for Handout 2.) Discuss student answers with the class.

Summary Activity:

1. Play students Clip 1, “Latin Influences in Pop Music.” Ask students:
   • When were these songs released?
   • Did you hear any Latin influences in these songs?
   • Do these songs share instruments or rhythms with “Despacito”?
   • In what ways does “Despacito” differ from these older pop songs (Encourage students to think about the languages used in the songs, as well as the use of electronic beats).
   • How might “Despacito” be continuing a tradition? How might it be unique? (Encourage students to think about how “Despacito” is not the first American pop song to draw upon Latin American sources, but might have achieved a level of success above previous songs.)  

Extension Activity:

1. Writing Prompt: Throughout the world, musicians who do not speak English as a primary language have to make the choice on whether to release songs in their native language or in English. Many choose English, because it gives them a better chance at having a successful song in the United States. Do you think the success of “Despacito” will change this? Will more musicians be comfortable releasing songs in other languages, especially Spanish? Why or why not?

Close Listening Activity Answers Handout 1 – Select Latin American Genres Handout 2 – Close Listening Activity

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Common Core State Standards

College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading (K-12)

• Reading 1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
• Reading 6: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
• Reading 8: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
• Reading 9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing (K-12)

• Writing 1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
• Writing 7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
• Writing 9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening (K-12)

• Speaking and Listening 1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• Speaking and Listening 2: Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies – National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

• Theme 1: Culture
• Theme 2: Time, Continuity, and Change
• Theme 4: Individual Development and Identity
• Theme 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
• Theme 9: Global Connections

National Standards for Music Education

Core Music Standard: Responding

• Analyze: Analyze how the structure and context of varied musical works inform the response.
• Interpret: Support interpretations of musical works that reflect creators’ and/or performers’ expressive intent.
• Evaluate: Support evaluations of musical works and performances based on analysis, interpretation, and established criteria.

Core Music Standard: Connecting

• Connecting 11: Relate musical ideas and works to varied contexts and daily life to deepen understanding.

Career Technical Education Standards (California Model) – Arts, Media and Entertainment Pathway Standards

Design, Visual and Media Arts (A)

• A1.0 Demonstrate ability to reorganize and integrate visual art elements across digital media and design applications.
  A1.1 View and respond to a variety of industry-related artistic products integrating industry appropriate vocabulary.
  A1.5 Research and analyze the work of an artist or designer and how the artist’s distinctive style contributes to their industry production.
  A1.9 Analyze the material used by a given artist and describe how its use influences the meaning of the work. ia, and Entertainment |
  A3.0 Analyze and assess the impact of history and culture on the development of professional arts and media products.
  A3.2 Describe how the issues of time, place, and cultural influence and are reflected in a variety of artistic products.
  A3.3 Identify contemporary styles and discuss the diverse social, economic, and political developments reflected in art work in an industry setting.
  A3.4 Identify art in international industry and discuss ways in which the work reflects cultural perspective.
  A4.0 Analyze, assess, and identify effectiveness of artistic products based on elements of art, the principles of design, and professional industry standards.
  A4.2 Deconstruct how beliefs, cultural traditions, and current social, economic, and political contexts influence commercial media (traditional and electronic).
  A4.4 Analyze the relationship between the artist, artistic product and audience in both an existing and self-generated project.
  A4.5 Analyze and articulate how society influences the interpretation and effectiveness of an artistic product.
  A5.0 Identify essential industry competencies, explore commercial applications and develop a career specific personal plan.
  A5.3 Deconstruct works of art, identifying psychological content found in the symbols and images and their relationship to industry and society.

Performing Arts (B)

• B2.0 Read, listen to, deconstruct, and analyze peer and professional music using the elements and terminology of music.
  B2.2 Describe how the elements of music are used.
  B2.5 Analyze and describe significant musical events perceived and remembered in a given industry generated example.
  B2.6 Analyze and describe the use of musical elements in a given professional work that makes it unique, interesting, and expressive.
  B2.7 Demonstrate the different uses of form, both past and present, in a varied repertoire of music in commercial settings from diverse genres, styles, and professional applications.
  B5.0 Apply vocal and/or instrumental skill and knowledge to perform a varied repertoire of music appropriate to music industry application.
  B5.4 Employ a variety of music technology to record, integrate, or modify a live or recorded performance to produce a new artistic product.
  B5.7 Create melodic and rhythmic improvisations in a style or genre within a musical culture (gamelan, jazz, and mariachi).
  B7.0 Analyze the historical and cultural perspective of multiple industry performance products from a discipline-specific perspective.
  B7.3 Analyze the historical and cultural perspective of the musician in the professional setting.
  B8.0 Deconstruct the aesthetic values that drive professional performance and the artistic elements necessary for industry production.
  B8.1 Critique discipline-specific professional works using the language and terminology specific to the discipline.
  B8.2 Use selected criteria to compare, contrast, and assess various professional performance forms.