Good music for cool kids.

Consider this project an offspring of coronavirus. When schools shut down in March 2020 — along with everything else — in response to the pandemic, my wife Lauren started preparing a curriculum for home-schooling our son, Luke. These music appreciation lessons are my contribution.

They’re written with an 8-year-old in mind. But really, they can work for anyone – including adults who want to learn more about the origins and influences of music. Open one door, you’ll find another.

Each lesson is paired with another, usually with artists who are somehow connected by style or influence. (The companions both share the same number. For instance, Fela Kuti, 9A, is paired with the Talking Heads, 9B.)

Music appreciation is the main goal, but you’ll find other lessons sprinkled in – mainly geography and social issues.

Of course, it’s good to improvise between clicks, and talk about what you’re seeing and hearing. That’s the goal – to open conversations and minds.

It works. In recent weeks, I’ve heard Luke talk about sound-layering on certain hip-hop tracks. He understands the concept of protest music. And you see that lesson on Tom Morello? That’s by special request.

Enjoy!

Russ Florence

June 2020

russ@schnake.com