What is Soul Music?

“Soul music is true to its name. It's music that connects to your soul, your spirit. When music resonates with people's spirit like that, when people can emotionally connect with something or it helps to heal them, transform them, that never goes out of style. People will always need something to relate to.” – Andra Day

Teaching Wiki Contents

• What is Soul Music?
• 10 Interesting Facts About Soul Music
• 10 Famous Soul Groups and Artists
• Fun Soul Music Activities for Kids
• Teaching Video on Soul Music
• Teaching Resources on Soul Music

What is Soul Music?

Soul music, originating in African American communities during the 1950s and 1960s, is a beautiful musical genre combining elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz. At its core, soul music is a powerful and emotional form of self-expression. The genre includes distinctive vocals and heartfelt delivery.

Just as Andra Day mentioned in the quote above, the foundation of soul music lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a deep, emotional level, creating a universally shared experience. Instrumentally, soul music features captivating arrangements with prominent horn sections, pulsing guitar, and a solid rhythm section.

Prominent figures like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles played pivotal roles in shaping the contemporary identity of soul music. Over time, its influence has transcended its confines, inspiring a range of music genres. Today, soul music remains a timeless and influential cultural force, capturing the essence of human emotion through its soul-stirring melodies and poignant lyrics.

Read More: 23 Uplifting and Inspirational Songs for Kids

10 Interesting Facts About Soul Music

Looking for some soul music facts? We’ve got you covered! Read on for our take on 10 fun facts about soul music.

• We spoke about the origins of soul music before, but to summarise - this genre emerged in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, mixing African American musical styles from gospel to rhythm and blues (R&B).
• One of the pioneers of the genre was Ray Charles. He was known as the "Father of Soul," as well as being a renowned pianist. Many of his contemporaries referred to him as "The Genius." His song "What'd I Say" showcased a mix of gospel, blues, and soul.
• The "Queen of Soul" is Aretha Franklin. She earned this title, not only because of her powerful vocals but because of the empowering nature of her lyrics and melodies. Her hit "Respect" became an anthem for empowerment.
• One record label and company that propelled the careers of many soul artists was the famous Motown Records. This label spelled success for artists like The Supremes ("You Can't Hurry Love") and Stevie Wonder ("Superstition"), who are influential musicians of Motown's legacy.
• There's no doubt that soul music inspired all areas of global culture, from clothing to iconic dance styles. James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," introduced energetic moves like the "James Brown Slide." In the 1970s in England, the subculture "Northern Soul" took influences from the style, music, and dance of soul in the U.S., with one of the most famous songs of the era being "The Snake" by Al Wilson.

• Stax Records in Memphis also produced soul hits, including Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay."
• Soul songs are one of the musical mediums that convey powerful social messages. A few examples of this are Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," and The Temptations and Edwin Starr's versions of "War," which addressed issues like social justice and war.
• Besides Aretha Franklin, strong female voices like Etta James ("At Last") and Gladys Knight made significant contributions to the soul scene.
• The soul musical genre produced timeless classics like Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," expressing hope during the civil rights movement.
• There are diverse influences in soul music, from the smooth sounds of Al Green ("Let's Stay Together") to the funky grooves of Sly and the Family Stone ("I Want to Take You Higher").

Twinkl Tip: We suggest educating your students about soul music by using our extensive and time-saving activities in this music collection!

10 Famous Soul Groups and Artists

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Al Green
3. The Supremes
4. James Brown
5. Gladys Knight
6. Ray Charles
7. Etta James
8. Otis Redding
9. Nina Simone
10. Sam Cooke

Twinkl Tip: Explore our Who was Nina Simone? Teaching Wiki, detailing the life and career of the "High Priestess of Soul.”

Fun Soul Music Activities for Kids

• Dance to your favorite soul songs.
• Listen to someone else’s favorite soul song and ask them why they like it.
• Listen to a soul song and draw a picture to show what it represents or how it makes you feel.
• Ask an adult to share their soul music memories with you - from recalling a time when a soul song was a chart-topper or when they first heard it on the radio. This could be a teacher, a parent, or a caregiver.

Read More: The Best Teacher Playlist: 20 Songs to De-Stress

• Choose a selection of soul music classics and play the game “Musical Statues” with friends or family. Dance when the music plays and stand still like a statue when the music stops. You are out of the game if you move when the music has stopped.
• Play “Soul Song Charades.” Think of a soul record, and make sure you know its name! You must act out the name of the song without speaking, and everyone else must try to guess the tune. They must guess the name as quickly as they can before time runs out.
• Create your own soul music! Why not make these musical instruments out of recycled materials?

Read More: International Music Day

Teaching Video on Soul Music

Soul Music Facts for Kids | Teaching Resources

Here at Twinkl, we have plenty of time-saving learning materials to help you educate your children about soul music during International Music Day and beyond. Below, we have included four easy-to-use, teacher-created activities to introduce your class to this genre, while also developing your class’ various skills, such as teamwork, writing, coloring, and independent research. We also suggest you explore other wikis on different genre-spanning artists like David Bowie (a master of rock) and Beyonce (the "Queen of Pop").

Read More: 25 Marvelous Music Projects for Students

Let's Make Music Banner

Create a welcoming and eye-catching music class display with our bright and colorful Let's Make Music Banner. Print, assemble, and display this beautiful banner in your class. The easy-to-print banner also makes a fantastic bulletin board header for your elementary music classroom!

All About Me Music Activity

Our All About Me Music Activity is an exciting worksheet that helps children learn about music in a fun and interactive way. This spin on a classic music class activity allows children to see the emotional elements of music and the power music has to bring people together. This teacher-created worksheet asks your class to name their favorite musical instrument, what music they like best, and how their favorite songs make them feel. It’s a great way to get students excited to learn more about music and all its fine little details.

Body Percussion Game and Activities PowerPoint

Our Body Percussion Game and Activities PowerPoint is perfect as an indoor recess or brain break to get kids moving while exploring music. Your students will be prompted to use their bodies to make music on each slide.

Rock and Roll Music Activity

Bring music history into your classroom with our awesome Rock and Roll Music Activity. This ready-made worksheet provides your students with a brief background of rock and roll music before challenging them to an engaging activity.

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