Sea Shanties
Various traditional singers
Alternative embedded performance: Sea-shanty medley, performed by The Fisherman’s Friends. The preferred recording remains linked on YouTube.
First listen
Listen once without writing. What do you notice?
Listen closely
1 PULSEHow does the steady beat help the singers?
Sentence stemThe steady beat helps the singers to ___.
Vocabulary
- stay together
- keep moving
- enter together
- repeat the words
2 STRUCTUREWhere do you hear a call and an answer?
Sentence stemThe call is answered by ___.
Vocabulary
- one singer
- the group
- a repeated line
- the chorus
3 TEXTUREWhen does everyone sing together?
Sentence stemEveryone sings together in ___.
Vocabulary
- the chorus
- the answer
- the ending
- repeated sections
4 TIMBREHow does the lead singer’s sound compare with the group?
Sentence stemThe lead voice sounds ___, while the group sounds ___.
Vocabulary
- clear
- rough
- solo
- full
- powerful
5 DYNAMICSWhat happens to the volume when the whole group joins?
Sentence stemWhen the group joins, the music becomes ___.
Vocabulary
- louder
- stronger
- fuller
- more energetic
How does this piece make you feel?
There is no right or wrong answer. Which words match your response?
calmexcitedhopefulcuriousjoyfulpowerfulpeacefultensedreamybravethoughtfulenergeticmysteriouscomfortedrestlessproudsadsurprisedupliftedfocused
Music through time
Traditional · Maritime work song
- Medieval500–1400
- Baroque1600–1750
- Classical1750–1820
- Romantic1820–1900
- 20th century1900–2000
- Contemporary2000–present