O Danny Boy | Free Listening Music Lesson Plan

Big Idea

This free, no-prep elementary music lesson compares three versions of this Irish favorite, including a performance by the Muppets.

Grade Level: 2-6
Activity: Listening & Comparison Analysis
Skill: Comparing and Contrasting Musical Styles

Students will compare and contrast three versions of the Irish song O Danny Boy to develop active music listening and analysis skills.

This lesson is designed to fulfill the 2014 National Standard for Music:
Demonstrate and explain how the expressive qualities (such as dynamics and tempo) are used in performers’ decisions to convey expressive intent. (Responding - MU:Re9.1)

Three Circle Venn Diagram
Pencils
Whiteboard and Markers

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Distribute the Three Circle Venn Diagram to each student. Explain that they'll be musical detectives today, comparing three different versions of the famous Irish song O Danny Boy.

Step 2
Write the following listening questions on the board for the class to refer to as they watch the videos:

1) What is the tempo (speed) of the piece: Adagio, Andante, or Allegro?
2) Is the melody played by an instrument or is it sung?
3) Is the song performed a cappella or with accompaniment?
4) Is the melody the same in all three recordings?
5) What is the style or mood of the performance (peaceful, funny, graceful, etc.)?

Step 3
Play Version 1: Irish Whistle. Have students note the musical elements they hear in the first circle of their Venn diagram.

Step 4
Play Version 2: Celtic Woman. Have students fill in the second circle and note any similarities to the first version in the overlapping area.

Step 5
Play Version 3: The Muppets. Have students complete the third circle.

Step 6
Once all recordings are finished, lead a class discussion. Ask students to compare what was the same between recordings 1 and 2, 1 and 3, and 2 and 3. Finally, identify what elements were common to all three recordings and write them in the center area of the diagram.