Fife and Drum Music

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Grade Level
6-8, 9-12, C-U
Region
Mississippi
Topics
fife and drum

Selection: Chevrolet
Recorded: Como, Mississippi

Suggested Activity #1:

  1. Listen to Chevrolet. Students might need multiple hearings to answer the following questions.

    Q: What instruments are heard during the introduction?
    A:  Fife, Drum, (handclaps)
    Q:  How many lines are in each verse?
    A:  Four.
    Q:  What is the pattern of the words in each verse?
    A:  Same words for the first two lines, a slight variation of the 3rd line,  last line is either “just for somethin’ for you” or “can’t get nothin’ from me”.

  2. Learn melody with text. (See lyrics)                                                                                         
  3. Sing along with recording.                                                                                                       
  4. Sing again with recording. During instrumental interlude, improvise a 16 beat rhythm by tapping, clapping or patting on floor or knees, etc.                                                              
  5. Switch improvisation to barred instruments (glockenspiels, xylophones, metallophones) or band/orchestra instruments.

Suggested Activity #2:

  1. Listen to Chevrolet.
  2. Use the pictures of the musicians from ACE to create a slide show presentation for viewing while listening to the recording.

More Fife intro - free style
Drum enters (4 mm)
Claps (16 mm)

1. I’ll buy a watch and chain 
Buy a watch and chain.
I’m a buy you a watch and chain
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want no watch and chain
Don’t want your watch and chain
I don’t want nothin’ in the world you got
Ya cant take nothing from me

2. I will buy you a diamond ring 
I’m a buy you a diamond ring
I’m a buy you a diamond ring
Just for somethin’ for you

I’m a take your diamond ring 
Take your diamond ring
Take your diamond ring
Just for somethin’ for you

Instrumental Interlude (16mm)

3. I’ll buy a Chevrolet
Buy a Chevrolet
I’m a buy you a Chevrolet
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want your Chevrolet
I don’t want your Chevrolet
I don’t want nothin’ in the world you got
Can’t get nothin’ from me

Buy a railroad track
Buy a railroad track
I’ll buy you a railroad track
Just for somethin’ for you

Instr interlude (16 mm)

4. I’ll buy a house and home
Buy a house and home.
I’m gonna buy you a house and home
Just for something for you

I don’t want your house and home 
Don’t want your house and home
I don’t want nothing in the world you got
Can’t get nothin’ from me

5. Buy a railroad track
Buy a railroad track 
I’m a buy you a railroad track
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want a railroad track
Don’t want a railroad track 
Yeah
Just for something for you

Instrumental Interlude (24 mm)

6. I’ll buy a house and home
Buy you house and home
I’m gonna buy you a house and home
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want a house and home
Don’t want your house and home
I don’t want nothing in the world you got
Can’t get nothin’ from me

7. I’ll buy you watch and chain 2x
Buy a watch and chain
I’m a buy a watch and chain
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want your watch and chain  
Don’t want your watch and chain
I don’t want nothing in the world you got
Can’t get nothin’ from me.

Instrumental Interlude (16 mm)

8. I’ll buy a railroad track 
Buy a railroad track
I’ll buy railroad track
Just for somethin’ for you

I don’t want your railroad track
Don’t want your railroad track
I don’t want nothin’ in the world you got
Can’t get nothin’ from

Designed by Karen Howard