The Star-Spangled Banner
How do you like the Star-Spangled Banner anthem performed?
Do you like the traditional version? Do you prefer a variation? Do you enjoy both ways?
Do you like it sung? Do you like it played on an instrument?
Listen to each example below. Describe what you hear.
Use music terms in your analysis. Examples: solo, choir, jazzy, band, rests, forte, piano, etc.
Write 2 sentences for each one.
1. José Feliciano
José Feliciano is a blind Latino musician who first varied the Star-Spangled Banner in 1968.
He was the first person to vary the song in a public performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrY9RVfVkws
2. Jimi Hendrix
The next year in 1969, Jimi Hendrix was a rock and roll guitarist who used many electric guitar techniques in his solo of the Star-Spangled Banner. He made the sound of bombs bursting in air on his guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/Mwlymq0iTsw
3. Whitney Houston
Whitney sings our anthem beautifully here.
https://youtu.be/N_lCmBvYMRs
4. Chris Botte
Chris Botte's fine trumpet performance deeply moved people.
Some say it was one of the finest performances of the Star-Spangled Banner ever.
https://vimeo.com/111268851
5. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is a rock musician who plays electric guitar.
Here he plays the Star-Spangled Banner on a 12-string guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A3VA9huIp8
6. Faith Hill
Faith Hill is a country singer who sings the anthem here.
https://youtu.be/eUDJyoij5E4
7. Take 6
Take 6 is a group of six jazz singers that sing a capella (with no accompaniment). Here they sing the first part in unison and the last half in 6-part jazz harmony. This group has received more Grammy music nominations than any group in any style.
https://youtu.be/2qZe8aB7plU
8. Jake Shimabukuro
Here is a ukelele solo of the Star-Spangled Banner by a great ukelele player from Hawaii.
https://youtu.be/P5d80mqGQLE
9. United States Academy Choirs
The combined choirs of the armed forces sing the Star-Spangled Banner in a stunning choir performance.
https://youtu.be/9ETrr-XHBjE
10. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga sang our national anthem at the 2016 Super Bowl.
https://youtu.be/tyqkN3zezso
11. Jordan Shelton
Jordan Shelton won the Star-Spangled contest sponsored by the Smithsonian Museum and YouTube in April 2009.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq6-hxM94i4
12. United States Army Field Band and Chorus
A military band and chorus sings the Star-Spangled Banner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjR8L81yQk
13. Texas Children's Choir
Listen to this children's choir sing our anthem in harmony. They also sing it a capella (without accompaniment).
https://youtu.be/EfsConBdSUQ
14. Smoky Greenwell
Smoky Greenwell plays our anthem on a harmonica in New Orleans.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFC5x0Qa-ms
15. Dave's Highway - Erika, Delaney, and Zachary
Here 3 siblings sing the anthem without any accompaniment (no instruments).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEGlsHS6tSQ
