Engaging Ways to Introduce Jazz to Middle School Students: Focus on Music, Improvisation & History

Fun and Engaging Ways to Teach Jazz in the Middle School Music Classroom

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, making it the perfect time to introduce middle school students to the rich history, improvisation, and unique styles of jazz. Jazz is a genre that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and spontaneity—qualities that align well with the energy and curiosity of middle school learners.

Teaching jazz to middle schoolers can be a fun and rewarding experience, even if you're not a jazz expert!

This post provides engaging and easy-to-implement lesson ideas that will help students explore jazz music, its history, and its role in American culture.

From active listening and improvisation to scat singing and jazz storytelling, these activities will bring jazz to life in your classroom!

1. Start with a Jazz Playlist

Why It Works:

Middle schoolers are at an age where they begin to develop musical preferences.

By exposing them to various jazz styles and legends, you can spark curiosity and appreciation for this genre.

Middle School-Friendly Jazz Playlist:

• Duke Ellington - "Take the A Train" (classic swing, upbeat, and fun)
• Ella Fitzgerald - "Summertime" (beautiful, expressive vocal jazz)
• Sonny Rollins - "St. Thomas" (catchy, accessible Caribbean-influenced jazz)
• Dave Brubeck - "Take Five" (great for exploring odd time signatures)

Engaging Activity: Active Listening & Jazz Exploration

• Instrument Identification: Challenge students to pick out instruments they hear (saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass, drums).
• Mood and Expression: Discuss how each song makes them feel and what emotions or images come to mind.

• Compare and Contrast: Play two different jazz pieces and ask students how they differ in style, tempo, and mood.
  
  • Try using Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman for its energetic big band swing feel and So What by Miles Davis for a cool jazz contrast with a laid-back, modal approach.

 Take It a Step Further: Have students create their own "Jazz Playlist" assignment, where they research and share jazz songs they enjoy.

2. Jazz and Improvisation Game 

Why It Works:

Improvisation is the heart of jazz and can help students develop confidence, creativity, and musical flexibility.

Try These Activities:

• Rhythmic Improvisation:
• Start with a 4-beat rhythm and have students clap or play variations on percussion instruments.
• Use a simple 12-bar blues backing track and let students take turns playing short rhythmic patterns.

• Melodic Improvisation:
• Have students create a one-note solo, using only one pitch while changing rhythm and articulation.
• Introduce the blues scale and let students experiment with simple melodic phrases.

Take It a Step Further:

• Jazz Call-and-Response: The teacher plays or sings a short phrase, and students echo it back, gradually increasing difficulty.

3. Meet the Jazz Legends 

Why It Works:

Middle schoolers love stories! Introducing them to the lives of jazz musicians can make the music feel more relatable and exciting.

Try These Activities:

• Assign students a famous jazz musician to research and create a short presentation, poster, or digital slideshow.
• Show short video clips or documentaries about artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis.
• Discuss how historical events like the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement shaped jazz music.

Engaging Activity: Jazz Hall of Fame Project

• Have students create a "Jazz Hall of Fame" bulletin board showcasing key jazz figures and fun facts.
• Encourage students to include an audio clip of their chosen musician's work and describe why they were influential.
  
  

Helpful Resources

M.T.R. offers easy-to-prep and use music listening and guided biography research activities for many jazz legends.

These resources provide an engaging way for students to explore jazz musicians and their music.

As well as the listening and biography research activities, each resource also includes a portrait image of the jazz artist and one page for each letter in their name to create a bulletin board.

Click on the images below for more information!

4. Scat Singing Challenge 

Why It Works:

Scat singing introduces students to vocal improvisation, rhythm, and swing phrasing in a fun and interactive way.

Try These Activities:

• Teach students simple scat syllables (e.g., "bop-ba-da," "doo-wah").
• Play examples of famous scat singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway.
• Start with a call-and-response scat game, where the teacher sings a phrase and students echo it.
• Challenge students to create their own scat solos over a backing track.

Take It a Step Further:

• Host a "Scat Battle" where students take turns improvising short scat solos.
  
  

5. Jazz Storytelling with Music

Why It Works:

Jazz music often tells a story without words. Encouraging students to listen and create their own narratives can deepen their understanding of jazz expression.

Try These Activities:

• Play a jazz instrumental piece (e.g., Take Five by Dave Brubeck or St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins).
• Have students listen with their eyes closed and imagine a scene or story unfolding.
• Ask guiding questions:
• "Where do you think this music takes place?"
• "What kind of characters might be in this story?"
• "What happens next?"
• Let students write or draw their imagined jazz story.

Take It a Step Further:

• Have students perform a dramatic reading of their jazz story while the music plays softly in the background.
  
  

6. Jazz-Inspired Composition Project 

Why It Works:

Encouraging students to compose their own jazz-inspired pieces reinforces musical creativity and understanding of jazz structure.

Try These Activities:

• Provide students with a simple chord progression or a 12-bar blues form.
• Allow them to compose a short melody using the blues scale.
• Have students perform their compositions on an instrument or use digital music software.

Take It a Step Further:

• Pair students up and have them create a jazz duet where one plays a melody, and the other improvises a counter-melody.
  
  

Helpful Resources

M.T.R. has an excellent resource for teaching students to play the 12-bar blues and the blues scale.

It's perfect for middle school general music classes and junior high school students.

This resource provides step-by-step guidance to help students understand and perform essential jazz elements with confidence.

Click on the image below for more information!

Additional Teacher Tips 

• Classroom Management Tip: Set clear expectations for movement and improvisation activities. Use call-and-response cues to maintain focus.
• Tech Integration: Use Chrome Music Lab, BandLab, or GarageBand for jazz improvisation exercises.
• Cross-Curricular Connections: Connect jazz to history (Harlem Renaissance), English (jazz poetry), and math (odd time signatures).
• Guest Speaker/Field Trip: Invite a jazz musician or explore virtual jazz field trips.
• End-of-Unit Idea: Host a "Jazz Café" where students share their jazz compositions or research.

Final Thoughts

Bringing jazz into the middle school classroom can be an exciting journey that builds creativity, confidence, and a love for music. Whether through listening, improvising, storytelling, or composing, students can connect with jazz in meaningful ways.

Try these ideas and let the spirit of jazz inspire and energize your students during Jazz Appreciation Month! 

What's your favorite way to introduce jazz to middle schoolers? Share in the comments!

Looking for more time-saving, engaging resources?

Check out MTR’s collection of music teaching materials - SHOP the MTR Store or our store on TpT.

Would you like more music teaching strategies? Check out these related posts to keep your lessons fresh and interactive! 

Blog Post: Teaching Rhythm in Music

Blog Post: Benefits of Body Percussion Activities

Blog Post: Test Prep Tips for Music Teachers

Blog Post: Bringing 1950s Rock 'n' Roll to Life in the Music Classroom

Blog Post: How to Train Young Singers: 7 Must-Know Vocal Tips

MTR 12-Month Memberships

Save time and inspire your students with a growing collection of music-teaching resources!

Subscribe to one of the MTR 12-Month Memberships for Music Teachers today.

Click HERE for more information!