Grades 9 - 12

Lesson #5
TSOP — The Sound of Philadelphia
Boogaloo down Broad Street to a sound called TSOP created in the 1970s by recording icons Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff, the founders of Philadelphia International Records. Students will experience the music of The O’Jays, Stylistics, MFSB Orchestra and other recording artists of Philadelphia International Records. A guided tour of the Philadelphia International Records Studio will be given after the class. (Due to the limited availability of the studio, tours cannot be rescheduled for any cancelled class.)

Objective
Students will be able to distinguish rhythm and blues music of TSOP from other styles such as Motown and be able to understand the elements of musical arrangement that make it unique.

Activity

  1. Students will listen to selections from Motown and TSOP and discuss the musical elements which are similar and different.

  2. Students will sing a variety of songs by TSOP artists.

  3. Guided tour of the Philadelphia International Records Studio located across from the Kimmel Center.

Teacher Follow-Up
Materials with activities and suggestion for further studies will be given at the conclusion of the class.

Student Activities

  • Look up the definition of Rhythm and Blues (R&B) music.

  • Use the audio links above to listen to the music of TSOP.

  • Use link #2 and listen to "For the Love of Money" by the O’Jays.
    What reality television show uses this song for its opening theme?

  • Listen to "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" featuring MFSB and the Three Degrees.
    What instruments do you hear?
    How does this music differ from the R&B music heard today?
    MFSB is an acronym meaning what?

National Standards

Music

  • Standard 1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
  • Standard 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music
  • Standard 9: Understanding music in relationship to history and culture
Technology
  • Standard 5: Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Students use technology tools to process data and report results.