Listen to the compilation tape carefully once or twice, and then choose one piece to explore in depth. You may NOT write about Bessie Smith's recording of "St. Louis Blues" or Paul Robeson's recording of "Go Down, Moses."
             Listen to your chosen piece two or three more times (before consulting any outside material). Write a detailed personal response. What do you hear? Why does the piece move you or appeal to you? Why do you like it?
             Do a bit of research on the piece. Who composed the piece? Who is performing on the piece, and what is that person's (or band's) significance to the Harlem Renaissance? When and where was the piece recorded? Does this piece itself have any special significance to the Harlem Renaissance?
             You may also want to do a bit of research about jazz or blues, but remember that this first music paper is NOT a research paper so don't get lost in finding information. Notes to get you started are on reserve at the Shepherd College library. (Ask for a folder labeled "Blues and Jazz Notes." Don't keep for longer than 10 or 15 minutes.)
             Your writing assignment is to write LINER NOTES for this particular recording of this particular piece. You will need to provide brief background on the musician(s), the composer (if applicable), the cultural context of the piece (when/where recorded, why significant or interesting), and the stylistic context (if applicable). Then you'll want to discuss this piece in particular, briefly describing what's heard in the performance.
             Envision your AUDIENCE as someone who is new to the history of jazz (or blues). This person has just purchased a CD on the history of African American music during the Harlem Renaissance. Your goal is to help this reader (listener) better understand what s/he is hearing. This means you will want to explain some of the technical aspects of the music (as appropriate), but you'll want to do so in a way that will be clear to the general re
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