Music Blocks is a music appreciation podcast that spans genres, cultures and decades. It’s about human emotions and the sounds we use to express them.

Developed with input from educators and students, each episode runs about 5 minutes to fit easily into family time or classroom instruction. Every “lesson” explores a different feeling and is accompanied by a playlist and discussion questions to inspire more sonic exploration. We designed the show with middle schoolers and high schoolers in mind. But anyone can listen and enjoy.

Hosted by Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg, Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio.

If you’re excited about the show, have questions or want to tell us about how you’re using Music Blocks, please drop us a line: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Music Blocks is a music appreciation podcast developed in consultation with music educators. It’s designed to help young listeners to explore music more thoughtfully, or to let parents and teachers introduce their kids to new sounds. It’s a fun, quick listen for music lovers of all ages, produced by Colorado Public Radio. And it’s free and available everywhere.

Teachers and parents, here’s how to get the most out of Music Blocks:

1. Play it for young listeners in your life. Each episode runs about 5 minutes, to slot easily into a class period or family time. You can listen to the episodes in any order.
2. Talk and explore more. We’ll offer playlists to complement each episode and a few sample discussion questions.
3. Ask your kids to get creative! Have them build their own mood-themed playlists or write their own song to match a certain mood. We’d love to hear their creations. Email us at hello@musicblockspodcast.org.

Find Music Blocks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, MusicBlocksPodcast.org or wherever you listen.

Happiness is one of the most basic human emotions and a feeling composers often express through music. But what makes a piece of music sound joyful? Hear how Pharrell Williams, Ludwig van Beethoven, Red Velvet, Prince Nico Mbarga and John Coltrane have conveyed happiness through their music.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• What are some sounds that you associate with happiness?

• What are songs that you listen to when you are experiencing happiness? What made you choose these songs?

Ready to explore more music about happiness? Check out our playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.

Fear is primal. It’s how we react to the unknown. And when composers and songwriters set out to make frightful music, it opens up a world of creative possibilities. We’ll hear vivid examples from John Williams, Modest Mussorgsky, John Carpenter, Christian Scott and The Shirelles.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• What do you think is the best way to express fear in music?

• Which song in the episode was the most fearful to you?

Ready to explore more frightful music? Check out our playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.

Angry music can feel potent, like a release of pressure for a singer or a musician. So how do musicians express anger in creative ways? Check out some anger-inspired sounds from Fela Kuti, Alabama Shakes, The Clash, Netta and Coolio.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• What is a style of music that you turn to when you are angry?

• What are some sounds that you associate with feeling angry?

Ready to explore more angry songs? Check out our playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.

Grab a box of tissues. This episode of Music Blocks is about the powerful and inventive ways musicians take sadness and turn it into memorable music. We’ll hear examples from Four Tet, Charles Mingus, Samuel Barber, Joeboy, Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• Sometimes when we are sad, we want to feel that emotion. Are there songs that you play that help you to feel sad?

• Think about a person or an event that you want to write a sad song about. What kinds of sounds would you use?

Ready to explore more sad sounds? Check out our playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.

Surprises can be wonderful or shocking, delightful or jarring. And when musicians find clever ways to surprise listeners, things get really interesting. Here’s a look at unpredictable music from Björk, Igor Stravinsky, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Claude Debussy and The Yoshida Brothers.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• Which of the ideas of surprise in music that were featured in this episode do you want to listen to again?

• What are some ways to use sound that are surprising to you?

Ready to explore more surprising sounds? Check out our playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.

Disgust is a powerful emotion, but you might be surprised at the nuanced music it can inspire. We’ll hear deeply personal statements alongside stunning protest music from artists like Billie Holiday, Anderson .Paak, Billie Eilish, Agnes Obel, Daniel Viglietti and Krystof Penderecki.

Content warning: This episode covers some topics that might be unsettling for some younger listeners. It’s the kind of material you might learn in a high school history class, rather than in elementary school history. You might want to listen to a different episode of Music Blocks if you’re around younger ears.

Stuff to think about after you’ve listened:

• What sounds would you choose to express the feeling of disgust?

• What are some things that make you feel disgusted? Can you write a short poem or rhyme to express these things?

Ready to explore sounds connected to disgust? Check out our playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.

This is one of eight Music Blocks episodes exploring how musicians express emotions through sound. You can listen in any order. Find more episodes, discussion questions and playlists at MusicBlocksPodcast.org.

Tell us how you're using Music Blocks in the classroom or at home, or share your playlists and music creations inspired by the podcast! Email us: Hello@MusicBlocksPodcast.org

Music Blocks is a production of Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.

Hosts and Producers: Luis Antonio Perez and Rebekah Romberg
Editors: Jo Erickson and Dennis Funk
Education Advisor: Carla Aguilar, Ph.D.
Executive Producer: Brad Turner

Thank you: Monika Vischer at CPR Classical, Bruce Trujillo and Willobee Carlan at Indie 102.3, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Mia Rincón, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg, and all the teachers and students who shared feedback and attended virtual focus groups as we developed this podcast.