NOTES FOR NOTES: MUSIC EDUCATION FOR POSITIVE EMOTIONAL AND CREATIVE GROWTH

DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR AMERICAN SPACES

This discussion guide is designed for programming at American Spaces. American Spaces should work with their Public Affairs Section to ensure that this topic and video are appropriate for American Spaces audiences.

VIDEO INFORMATION

^{N4N x HTF – featuring 115Tae and Zuzu}

Year Release: 2020
Duration: 6 min
English Level: High Beginner/Low Intermediate
Speakers: 116Tae and Zuzu
Themes: Education, Mental Health, Music, Creative Expression

Link to Video (also above)

VIDEO CONTEXT

Notes for Notes (N4N) is a non-profit organization founded in Santa Barbara, California to provide youth with hands-on music education for positive emotional and creative growth. N4N now serves over 8,500 youth through 23 studios in 11 states across the U.S. N4N studios are located in youth facilities such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. N4N Studios are gateways of creative expression through music.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

116Tae is a singer-songwriter rapper producer and studio assistant at N4N Studio South in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been making music since he was 13 years old.

Zuzu is a 15-year old singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. She has been writing music since the age of 9 and is now a member of N4N Nashville.

KEY VOCABULARY

Guitar: (noun) a musical instrument that is held against the front of your body and that has usually six strings which are played with your fingers or with a pick
Bass: (noun) a kind of guitar or musical instrument that usually has four strings and that makes low sounds
Keyboard: (noun) a row or set of keys that are pushed to play a musical instrument (such as a piano)
Drumstick: (noun) a stick used for playing a drum
Musician: (noun) a person who writes, sings, or plays music
Artist: (noun) a person who creates art that expresses ideas or feelings
Song: (noun) a short piece of music with words that are sung
Chorus: (noun) a part of a song that is repeated between verses
Recoding studio: (noun) a place where people go to learn, practice, study, and record music with provided equipment
Producer: (noun) someone who is in charge of making and usually providing the money for a play, movie, record, etc.
Collaborate: (noun) to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something
Emotions: (adjective) a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)
Suicide: (noun) the act of killing yourself because you do not want to continue living
Mental health: (noun) condition of a person’s psychological and emotional well-being

Discussion Questions

Are you interested in making music? What is your musical style? What kind of songs would you write if you could record in a professional studio?
Who are your favorite musical artists? What kind of music do they make and what topics do they discuss? Why do you like their music?
Notes for Notes is a space for young people to learn new skills and grow as individuals. Are there similar spaces in your community?
16Tae’s song “Love You” was dedicated to a friend who committed suicide. How is mental health viewed in your country and what resources are available?
Zuzu Black talks about music as a way to express emotions and explore self-identity. In what ways do you find ways to express yourself? How has creativity helped you find out who you are?