Lesson 1: Learning “A.K.I.K.O.”
Aim: How can we use melody and rhythm to create a chant?
Summary: Students learn the chorus to “A.K.I.K.O.”; explore the concept of melodic variation; and create their own rhythmic chant.
Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, Musical Explorers Student Guide
Standards: National 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11; NYC 1, 2, 3, 4
Vocabulary: chant, variation
“A.K.I.K.O.” is one of Emeline’s signature and best-loved songs. Once, when performing in Japan, Emeline worked with a translator named Akiko. The two built a bond, and Emeline wrote this song as a tribute to her friend who inspired her to imagine a better world during turbulent times.
“A.K.I.K.O.”
Text
E si m’ t’anvi chante lajwa
E si m’ t’anvi taye banda
Rakonte yon bèl istwa
Nou tout t’a va mande yon lwa
Pou fè repouse tout pye bwa
Pou jwe lago kache lespwa, ann chante:
Chorus:
A.K.I.K.O., A.K.I.K.O.
Menm si se vre nou betize
Moun, save di nou pap sove
Pèsonn p’ap anpeche m’ reve
Reve yon bèl bato desann
Ranmase tout moun ki t’ap tann
Pou nal fè yon bèl fèt ansann
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Si tout moun, tout peyi
Nan lemond t’a va rive yon jou reyini
Tankou yon paradi
Nou t’a jwenn yon pawòl
On langaj, on mizik, on melodi
On ti mo, k’ fe maji
Fò n’ chante pou lavi miyò
Pou tout sa k’ap dòmi deyò
Pou tout sa k’ap viv andeyò
Pou yon jou kap yo ka chanje
Pou tout timoun kab jwenn manje
Pou n’ krusifye tout prejuje
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
(x4)
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
(x8)
Translation
What if I want to sing a song of joy?
What if I want to dance a banda
And tell you a beautiful story?
We all would plead for a law
To make all the trees grow back,
To play hide and seek at night and sing:
Chorus:
A.K.I.K.O., A.K.I.K.O.
If this is true, we messed up.
Savant says there is no salvation for us,
But no one can stop me from dreaming,
Dreaming of a beautiful boat going along
Picking up everyone waiting
To make a party together.
(Chorus)
Bridge:
If everyone from every country
In the world was reunited
As in paradise,
We would find
A language, a music, a melody
A little magical word.
We have to sing for a better life,
For those sleeping in the streets,
For all those in the countryside,
For the card to flip,
For all the children to eat,
for no more prejudice.
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
(x4)
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
(x8)
- Divide students into two groups. One group will keep the steady beat while the other group taps the rhythm. Combine the groups to hear the layers together, and perform with “A.K.I.K.O.” rhythm loop. Have the groups switch parts whenever you call, “Switch!”
The Name Game
- Your students will create rhythmic chants based on the spelling of their names, like Emeline did with Akiko’s name. You can demonstrate using your own name first.
- Chant the letters of your first name, trying out different rhythmic patterns until you find one that you like.
- Add a simple melody to your pattern; you can choose the notes from “A.K.I.K.O.,” or use any other notes you want.
- Teach the chant to the class through call and response.
- Ask for volunteers to follow the same process, using their own names.
- Play the name game.
- Put everyone’s names into a hat. Form a circle, and have the class keep a steady beat.
- Ask for a volunteer to go into the circle, pick a name out of the hat, and create a chant based on that name. Teach the chant to the class using call and response.
- The student whose name was chanted goes next. Continue until everyone’s name is performed.
Poem of Inspiration
In Write Your Own Poem of Inspiration (PDF), students will have an opportunity to write an acrostic poem about a friend or family member based upon the letters in that person’s name.
Musical Word Wall
Add the words chant and variation to the Musical Word Wall.
Image Credits
“Dusk Falls on Cap-Haitien, Haiti” by Steve Bennett is licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0.