Today in class we learned "The Jack O'Lantern" on the piano. This piece uses the entire keyboard. The children played the two groups of black keys starting from the top, moving down to the lowest notes and then back up again. It is in triple meter which means it moves in three.
In preparation for "Jack O'Lantern" we chanted Du da di, Du da di to become familiar with the feel of triple meter. You may guide your child in chanting the triple meter syllables Du da di to practice at home. Also have your child listen to Track 6 on your Music Moves Book A CD where you will hear the Jack O'Lanter Song.
Continue to listen to Track 4 "London Bridges" this week as well.
Today the children continued to sing "Johnny Had One Friend" as a group, this time without me singing along. They are now learning how to sing the song all by themselves.
We began to learn the French folk song "Fais Dodo"-see handout.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
September 23, 2009
It's been a while since I posted, ah moving... Now that I'm getting settled in the new home and setting up the new music studio you will be seeing more Do Re Music notes updates!
Additionally, I am currently learning how to post video blogs so that I may demonstrate the pieces that the children are learning online. This will further help you assist your child in practicing the pieces at home on your piano or keyboard.
Update: I will be hosting a Halloween group class on Thursday, October 29th. This will be the first of the monthly group lessons that will be available several months out of the year. We will be playing music games and playing our Halloween songs. There will be treats! Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Time TBA.
This week in Do Re Music class:
We reviewed the song London Bridge-Sheet music is in your music binder. Listen to Track 4 on your Keyboard Games Book A CD with your child this week.The class did a great job keeping the beat, some opted to sing along as they played. It was very fun! This week have your child practice keeping the beat on the high notes and singing along. (please call for questions)
We played the musical game "Audie" in which the students recognized a familiar sequence of pitches.
We continued to learn the song "Johnny Had one Friend"-This song sheet should be in your music binder.
The children clapped different music patterns in Duple Meter-Duple meter is a beat that moves in two. Listen to Track 35 on your Keyboard Games Book A CD with your child this week.
Reminder: No class next Wednesday!
As always, please call me if you have any questions or comments.
Additionally, I am currently learning how to post video blogs so that I may demonstrate the pieces that the children are learning online. This will further help you assist your child in practicing the pieces at home on your piano or keyboard.
Update: I will be hosting a Halloween group class on Thursday, October 29th. This will be the first of the monthly group lessons that will be available several months out of the year. We will be playing music games and playing our Halloween songs. There will be treats! Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Time TBA.
This week in Do Re Music class:
We reviewed the song London Bridge-Sheet music is in your music binder. Listen to Track 4 on your Keyboard Games Book A CD with your child this week.The class did a great job keeping the beat, some opted to sing along as they played. It was very fun! This week have your child practice keeping the beat on the high notes and singing along. (please call for questions)
We played the musical game "Audie" in which the students recognized a familiar sequence of pitches.
We continued to learn the song "Johnny Had one Friend"-This song sheet should be in your music binder.
The children clapped different music patterns in Duple Meter-Duple meter is a beat that moves in two. Listen to Track 35 on your Keyboard Games Book A CD with your child this week.
Reminder: No class next Wednesday!
As always, please call me if you have any questions or comments.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June 17, 2009
Today we began class with our Hello Song! Then we warmed up our vocal chords with a slide whistle.
Next we sang a song in three different modes. The first song, "Russian Dance", was in a minor or aeolian mode.
Then we danced to a song in Mixolydian, You Really Got Me by The Kinks.
Next we sang a song in a major or Ionian mode, a folk song called "Down Came a Lady".
Next we sang Pitter Patter together, in preparation for solo singing.
We tried out our Arioso's. Today many of the children came up with their own Arioso's and created beautiful music.
We sang the song- Caney Mi Macaro, a song in spanish that focuses on call and response.
At the Piano:
Today we learned a part of the song London Bridge. Track 32 on your CD. See the worksheet I sent home that will show you where to guide your child's hand placement. Listen to the student part of track 32 to hear the rhythm that these notes shall be played. Enjoy!
Back in circle:
"Bill Grogan's Goat"-This is a very fun echo song. The children echo each verse of the story.
The Statue Game: I asks all the students to stand very still and make a statue pose. As I beat my drum the children change poses until I stop drumming. Wherever the student is, they must freeze in the new statue position.
Next we sang a song in three different modes. The first song, "Russian Dance", was in a minor or aeolian mode.
Then we danced to a song in Mixolydian, You Really Got Me by The Kinks.
Next we sang a song in a major or Ionian mode, a folk song called "Down Came a Lady".
Next we sang Pitter Patter together, in preparation for solo singing.
We tried out our Arioso's. Today many of the children came up with their own Arioso's and created beautiful music.
We sang the song- Caney Mi Macaro, a song in spanish that focuses on call and response.
At the Piano:
Today we learned a part of the song London Bridge. Track 32 on your CD. See the worksheet I sent home that will show you where to guide your child's hand placement. Listen to the student part of track 32 to hear the rhythm that these notes shall be played. Enjoy!
Back in circle:
"Bill Grogan's Goat"-This is a very fun echo song. The children echo each verse of the story.
The Statue Game: I asks all the students to stand very still and make a statue pose. As I beat my drum the children change poses until I stop drumming. Wherever the student is, they must freeze in the new statue position.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Do Re Music June 10th
Much of Today's class was a development of last week's class, therefore, some activities were repeated in order to reinforce concepts. We began by singing our hello song, "Hello Everybody" and continued into our vocal warm ups.
We improvised melodies in e harmonic minor. There are many songs that are in minor keys. Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach is one example. Ominous, isn't it? Well, not all minor pieces sound that way, some minor key pieces are very peaceful and reflective such as Chopin's Mazurka in b minor, beautifully interpreted here by Vladimir Horowitz. Some minor pieces are playful and light such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca which is in "a" minor.
We sang "Little Brown Beagle" (mixolydian). See June 3rd. The theme from Star Trek: The Next Generation is another example of a piece in Mixolydian. =)
I played the piano piece called "Silly Willy" (track 31) by Marilyn Lowe for the children. Please listen to track 31 this week. I did not send home the info sheet for the piece because I simply want the children to be listening to the piece in preparation for next week. Continue to work with your child on "The Woodpecker" and "The Apple and the Worm" at the piano this week.
To close the class, I sang the story song, "Kitty Alone", and played my Uke. This story is a quiet song, and is really a lullaby. The children listened intently and were very relaxed. You'll find a beautiful recording of the song, as sung by Jean Ritchie in 1956. (Track 7)
Saw a crow a flying low
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Saw a crow a flying low
Kitty alone a lye
Saw a crow a flying low
And a cat a spinning tow
Kitty alone a lye
Rock a ma rye ree
In came a little bat
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
In came a little bat
Kitty alone a lye
In came a little bat
With some butter and some fat
Kitty alone a lye
Rock a ma rye ree
Next came in was a honey bee...
With a fiddle across his knee...
Next come in were two little bats...
Fixing around to have a dance...
Next come in was little Pete...
Fixing around to go to sleep...
We improvised melodies in e harmonic minor. There are many songs that are in minor keys. Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach is one example. Ominous, isn't it? Well, not all minor pieces sound that way, some minor key pieces are very peaceful and reflective such as Chopin's Mazurka in b minor, beautifully interpreted here by Vladimir Horowitz. Some minor pieces are playful and light such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca which is in "a" minor.
We sang "Little Brown Beagle" (mixolydian). See June 3rd. The theme from Star Trek: The Next Generation is another example of a piece in Mixolydian. =)
I played the piano piece called "Silly Willy" (track 31) by Marilyn Lowe for the children. Please listen to track 31 this week. I did not send home the info sheet for the piece because I simply want the children to be listening to the piece in preparation for next week. Continue to work with your child on "The Woodpecker" and "The Apple and the Worm" at the piano this week.
To close the class, I sang the story song, "Kitty Alone", and played my Uke. This story is a quiet song, and is really a lullaby. The children listened intently and were very relaxed. You'll find a beautiful recording of the song, as sung by Jean Ritchie in 1956. (Track 7)
Saw a crow a flying low
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
Saw a crow a flying low
Kitty alone a lye
Saw a crow a flying low
And a cat a spinning tow
Kitty alone a lye
Rock a ma rye ree
In came a little bat
Kitty alone, Kitty alone
In came a little bat
Kitty alone a lye
In came a little bat
With some butter and some fat
Kitty alone a lye
Rock a ma rye ree
Next came in was a honey bee...
With a fiddle across his knee...
Next come in were two little bats...
Fixing around to have a dance...
Next come in was little Pete...
Fixing around to go to sleep...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Do Re Music Notes June 3
We began class by singing our hello song today, "Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed":
You will find the hello song on your class CD Track 1 as sung by children's folk singer Rachel Buchman from her CD entitled "Hello Everybody" I really love this CD and fortunately it's now available on iTunes. I grew up with this on LP in the early 80's. I believe it was released in the 70's although I can't seem to find an exact release date.
Hello Everybody, Yes indeed, Yes indeed, Yes indeed
Hello Everybody, Yes indeed, Yes indeed my darling
Hello (child's name), Yes indeed, Yes indeed, Yes indeed
Hello (child's name), Yes indeed, Yes indeed my darling
We warmed up our voices today by drawing vocal maps on the white board. Some of our maps looked like roller coasters and some looked like mountains. We sang the shape we drew by singing "oooh" and changing our pitch as the vocal map went up or down.
Our minor key song was "Leaves are Falling" Track 33 on your CD. It is the second melody on the track and falls between the seconds (0:19-0:26)
We had lots of fun with the Mixolydian song, "Little Brown Beagle" Track 33 (2:25-2:41). In this song we clap and jump after many of the phrases. The Mixolydian mode is like the Major (Ionian) scale except that the 7th pitch is lowered. Parents:"You Really Got Me" by the Kinks is based on the Mixolydian mode. Give it a listen and I think you'll begin to realize that you've probably heard this mode before but may have not known know it was called Mixolydian! Many of Jazz, Blues, Latin and Rock music also utilizes this mode.
The children took turns singing a "Frog in the Meadow" Solo. We are also learning a new song this week "Pitter Patter". Today the children were invited to listen to me as I sang the song for the first time.
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter
Listen to the Rain
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter
On my Windowpane
Today we improvised musical conversations (arioso). The children are beginning to sing their ariosos. Some are using "Frog in the Meadow" as their arioso which is a very good start!
We listened to Orff intsrumental recordings as we moved to music today Track 28. As we listened to the music we moved, danced, bounded, skipped around the room, changing movements as the music changed. Feeling the music and using our imaginations to decide which move to do next.
Today's rhythmic chant:
Bate Bate Chocolate
Bate Bate Chocolate
Con arroz y con tomate
Today's story song was Jenny Jenkins. Each child took turns picking a color that Jenny might wear. However, it seems she didn't like any of them! We had fun trying to figure out what rhymed with Orange and Purple. A couple of students thought of Porridge for Orange. And Burple for Purple! There's a wonderful recording of Jenny Jenkins on your CD by the late Jerry Garcia and David Grisman from the "Not Just for Kid's" CD: which is, true to it's title, very listenable!
You will find the hello song on your class CD Track 1 as sung by children's folk singer Rachel Buchman from her CD entitled "Hello Everybody" I really love this CD and fortunately it's now available on iTunes. I grew up with this on LP in the early 80's. I believe it was released in the 70's although I can't seem to find an exact release date.
Hello Everybody, Yes indeed, Yes indeed, Yes indeed
Hello Everybody, Yes indeed, Yes indeed my darling
Hello (child's name), Yes indeed, Yes indeed, Yes indeed
Hello (child's name), Yes indeed, Yes indeed my darling
We warmed up our voices today by drawing vocal maps on the white board. Some of our maps looked like roller coasters and some looked like mountains. We sang the shape we drew by singing "oooh" and changing our pitch as the vocal map went up or down.
Our minor key song was "Leaves are Falling" Track 33 on your CD. It is the second melody on the track and falls between the seconds (0:19-0:26)
We had lots of fun with the Mixolydian song, "Little Brown Beagle" Track 33 (2:25-2:41). In this song we clap and jump after many of the phrases. The Mixolydian mode is like the Major (Ionian) scale except that the 7th pitch is lowered. Parents:"You Really Got Me" by the Kinks is based on the Mixolydian mode. Give it a listen and I think you'll begin to realize that you've probably heard this mode before but may have not known know it was called Mixolydian! Many of Jazz, Blues, Latin and Rock music also utilizes this mode.
The children took turns singing a "Frog in the Meadow" Solo. We are also learning a new song this week "Pitter Patter". Today the children were invited to listen to me as I sang the song for the first time.
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter
Listen to the Rain
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter
On my Windowpane
Today we improvised musical conversations (arioso). The children are beginning to sing their ariosos. Some are using "Frog in the Meadow" as their arioso which is a very good start!
We listened to Orff intsrumental recordings as we moved to music today Track 28. As we listened to the music we moved, danced, bounded, skipped around the room, changing movements as the music changed. Feeling the music and using our imaginations to decide which move to do next.
Today's rhythmic chant:
Bate Bate Chocolate
Bate Bate Chocolate
Con arroz y con tomate
Today's story song was Jenny Jenkins. Each child took turns picking a color that Jenny might wear. However, it seems she didn't like any of them! We had fun trying to figure out what rhymed with Orange and Purple. A couple of students thought of Porridge for Orange. And Burple for Purple! There's a wonderful recording of Jenny Jenkins on your CD by the late Jerry Garcia and David Grisman from the "Not Just for Kid's" CD: which is, true to it's title, very listenable!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Do Re Music Notes Cancelled Last Week
Hi everybody, I'm finally feeling better after what the doctor thinks is an inner ear infection. Still a little off balance and symptoms could last for a while. See you tomorrow though! Can't wait to be back!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Do Re Music Notes May 13th
Vocal warmup- The Ice Cream Sundae-Today I read a poem by John Feierabend about a yummy ice cream sundae. After each stanza the children said: mmmm. This activity warmed up the children's voices.
Echo Song- No More Pie!
New song: Johnny on the Haypile
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today the children sang Frog in the Meadow together and then each took a turn singing solo if they wanted too! Every student wanted to take a solo today!
Arioso-Today we sang musical conversations without words. We expressed different emotions through our singing such as: happy, sad, angry, surprised, etc.
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd.
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano-The Woodpecker by Marilyn Lowe. To help your child play this at home on piano or keyboard:
First have them raise there arms in the air and drop them loosely, letting them swing. Ask "Can you feel the weight of your arms? Are they a bit heavy?"
Sit at the piano. Have them make two loose fists. Gently bounce right fist 4 times in the air. Without pause, gently bounce left fist 4 times in the air, repeat. Using the worksheet I sent home as a guide, find the groups of 3 black keys. Gently knock right fists 4 times on the black keys, gently knock left fists 4 times on the black keys, repeat. Hope this makes sense. :) If you have any questions parents feel free to call or email me!
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". See April 29th.
Song Tale- "Little Bird" as sung by Elizabeth Mitchell . Today I played the Ukulele and sang the song with the children. It was so much fun!
Echo Song- No More Pie!
New song: Johnny on the Haypile
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today the children sang Frog in the Meadow together and then each took a turn singing solo if they wanted too! Every student wanted to take a solo today!
Arioso-Today we sang musical conversations without words. We expressed different emotions through our singing such as: happy, sad, angry, surprised, etc.
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd.
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano-The Woodpecker by Marilyn Lowe. To help your child play this at home on piano or keyboard:
First have them raise there arms in the air and drop them loosely, letting them swing. Ask "Can you feel the weight of your arms? Are they a bit heavy?"
Sit at the piano. Have them make two loose fists. Gently bounce right fist 4 times in the air. Without pause, gently bounce left fist 4 times in the air, repeat. Using the worksheet I sent home as a guide, find the groups of 3 black keys. Gently knock right fists 4 times on the black keys, gently knock left fists 4 times on the black keys, repeat. Hope this makes sense. :) If you have any questions parents feel free to call or email me!
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". See April 29th.
Song Tale- "Little Bird" as sung by Elizabeth Mitchell . Today I played the Ukulele and sang the song with the children. It was so much fun!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Do Re Music May 6th
Vocal warmup- Slide whistle warm up with solos.
Echo Song- No More Pie!
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today the children sang with me then without me as a group. Great job children!
Arioso- I demonstrated the difference between a speaking voice and singing voice...,i.e.,"I speak like this", "I sing like this"
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd.
Movement Exploration- I told the class I had an imaginary box and inside that box were many tiny elves. To warm up our bodies for movement activities we placed the tiny elf on our elbow. We gave the elf a tour of the classroom, switching elbows in the middle of the activity, some of us even imagined that we fed our elf a snack of a chocolate chip cookie! :) We also balanced the elf on our noses, shoulder, hip, toe...Background music: "Peer Gynt Suite, Anitra's Dance by Edvard Grieg"
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano-The Woodpecker by Marilyn Lowe. To help your child play this at home on piano or keyboard:
First have them raise there arms in the air and drop them loosely, letting them swing. Ask "Can you feel the weight of your arms? Are they a bit heavy?"
Sit at the piano. Have them make two loose fists. Gently bounce right fist 4 times in the air. Without pause, gently bounce left fist 4 times in the air, repeat. Using the worksheet I sent home as a guide, find the groups of 3 black keys. Gently knock right fists 4 times on the black keys, gently knock left fists 4 times on the black keys, repeat. Hope this makes sense. :) If you have any questions parents feel free to call or email me!
We will begin to play many pieces from Music Moves for Piano, a wonderful curriculum by Marilyn Lowe, which builds on the suzuki method, kodaly, eurhythmics among others. It is also based on Edwin Gordon's theories of audiation and focuses on helping students to learn music as an aural art-"sound before sight".
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". See April 29th.
Song Tale- "Little Bird" as sung by Elizabeth Mitchell . The children took turns picking out which bird they wanted to sing about next, and making the bird call they imagined it might make!
Echo Song- No More Pie!
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today the children sang with me then without me as a group. Great job children!
Arioso- I demonstrated the difference between a speaking voice and singing voice...,i.e.,"I speak like this", "I sing like this"
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd.
Movement Exploration- I told the class I had an imaginary box and inside that box were many tiny elves. To warm up our bodies for movement activities we placed the tiny elf on our elbow. We gave the elf a tour of the classroom, switching elbows in the middle of the activity, some of us even imagined that we fed our elf a snack of a chocolate chip cookie! :) We also balanced the elf on our noses, shoulder, hip, toe...Background music: "Peer Gynt Suite, Anitra's Dance by Edvard Grieg"
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano-The Woodpecker by Marilyn Lowe. To help your child play this at home on piano or keyboard:
First have them raise there arms in the air and drop them loosely, letting them swing. Ask "Can you feel the weight of your arms? Are they a bit heavy?"
Sit at the piano. Have them make two loose fists. Gently bounce right fist 4 times in the air. Without pause, gently bounce left fist 4 times in the air, repeat. Using the worksheet I sent home as a guide, find the groups of 3 black keys. Gently knock right fists 4 times on the black keys, gently knock left fists 4 times on the black keys, repeat. Hope this makes sense. :) If you have any questions parents feel free to call or email me!
We will begin to play many pieces from Music Moves for Piano, a wonderful curriculum by Marilyn Lowe, which builds on the suzuki method, kodaly, eurhythmics among others. It is also based on Edwin Gordon's theories of audiation and focuses on helping students to learn music as an aural art-"sound before sight".
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". See April 29th.
Song Tale- "Little Bird" as sung by Elizabeth Mitchell . The children took turns picking out which bird they wanted to sing about next, and making the bird call they imagined it might make!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Do Re Music Notes April 29th
Vocal warmup- Slide whistle warm up-Today each student got a chance to perform a glissando solo!
Echo Song- No More Pie!
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today I had the group sing along with me and what do you know? They all knew the song and joined in with great enthusiasm and excellent pitch! :)
Arioso- Today I demonstrated the difference between a speaking voice and singing voice...,i.e.,"I speak like this", "I sing like this"
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd
Movement Exploration- To warm up our bodies for movement activities we did the Bubble activity again, this time, with music "Carnival of the Animals, Aquarium by Saint Saens" The children are pros at this one now but it is still as fun as ever. :)
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano- Black Key's Discovery- See April 22nd.
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". These choreographed dance movements are from John M Feierabend and Peggy Lyman's Move It! curriculum which is a collection of expressive choreography to classical music. This piece had a calming effect on the class.
Song Tale- "I Had a Little Rooster"
Echo Song- No More Pie!
Simple song- Frog in the Meadow-Today I had the group sing along with me and what do you know? They all knew the song and joined in with great enthusiasm and excellent pitch! :)
Arioso- Today I demonstrated the difference between a speaking voice and singing voice...,i.e.,"I speak like this", "I sing like this"
Pitch Activity-See April 22nd
Movement Exploration- To warm up our bodies for movement activities we did the Bubble activity again, this time, with music "Carnival of the Animals, Aquarium by Saint Saens" The children are pros at this one now but it is still as fun as ever. :)
Fingerplay-
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (bounce fists on thighs)
One named Jack (Thumbs up with right hand)
The other named Jill (Thumbs up with left hand)
Fly away Jack (Left hand behind back)
Fly away Jill (Right hand behind back)
Come back Jack (Bring left out)
Come back Jill (Bring right hand out)
At the Piano- Black Key's Discovery- See April 22nd.
Dance- Today we performed the a movement activity to "Walz in A flat by Johannes Brahms". These choreographed dance movements are from John M Feierabend and Peggy Lyman's Move It! curriculum which is a collection of expressive choreography to classical music. This piece had a calming effect on the class.
Song Tale- "I Had a Little Rooster"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Do Re Music Notes April 22nd
Many of today's activities were a repeat of last week's. It is important for young children to encounter lots of repetition of songs at this stage. Following is an outline what we did...
Vocal Warmup:See April 15th.
Pitch Activity:Today I sang "Leaves are Falling": a short, simple song in a minor key. I invited the children to sing along on the syllable "ba". Short songs without words in different keys helps develop a sense of pitch awareness.
Echo Song:See April 15th."No More Pie" The students really enjoy this one, today they even began to predict which line of the song was coming next. Some of the students suggested that we change the words of the song a little, instead of singing "I think I'll take a car" one student suggested a bike! Being earth day we changed the words to bike. We're all trying to do our part. ;)
Simple Song: "Frog in the Meadow"-same as last week. For the next few weeks I will sing this song solo and have the children do the stirring motion with me. This listening activity will lead into each student singing the simple song by his/herself.
Arioso:See April 15th. What is Arioso? Well, for our class it means: singing your words. Singing a sentance, singing a conversation, singing a poem are some examples. We do this through improvisation of a melody.
Movement Exploration: See April 15th. This time we performed the motions without recorded music. The students were almost completely silent throughout the entire activity!
At the Piano:Today we learned about the groups of "three black keys". We improvised on the three black keys in triple meter aka waltz beat ( 1-2-3, 1-2-3) The children took turns playing and danced to the music while they were waiting for their turn.
Song Tale:Today we read Fifteen Animals by Sandra Boynton. This is a hilarious book! We also danced to the recording. To listen and download this song click here.
Vocal Warmup:See April 15th.
Pitch Activity:Today I sang "Leaves are Falling": a short, simple song in a minor key. I invited the children to sing along on the syllable "ba". Short songs without words in different keys helps develop a sense of pitch awareness.
Echo Song:See April 15th."No More Pie" The students really enjoy this one, today they even began to predict which line of the song was coming next. Some of the students suggested that we change the words of the song a little, instead of singing "I think I'll take a car" one student suggested a bike! Being earth day we changed the words to bike. We're all trying to do our part. ;)
Simple Song: "Frog in the Meadow"-same as last week. For the next few weeks I will sing this song solo and have the children do the stirring motion with me. This listening activity will lead into each student singing the simple song by his/herself.
Arioso:See April 15th. What is Arioso? Well, for our class it means: singing your words. Singing a sentance, singing a conversation, singing a poem are some examples. We do this through improvisation of a melody.
Movement Exploration: See April 15th. This time we performed the motions without recorded music. The students were almost completely silent throughout the entire activity!
At the Piano:Today we learned about the groups of "three black keys". We improvised on the three black keys in triple meter aka waltz beat ( 1-2-3, 1-2-3) The children took turns playing and danced to the music while they were waiting for their turn.
Song Tale:Today we read Fifteen Animals by Sandra Boynton. This is a hilarious book! We also danced to the recording. To listen and download this song click here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Do Re Music Notes April 15th
Today's lesson was from First Steps in Music, a wonderful book by John Feierabend. First Steps in Music is a curriculum based on classic folk songs, chants and tunes. The children really had a blast today and I think that stands testament to the fact that not everything has to be new and modern. It's important that we do not forget about all the great music that has been handed down to us by the music makers of long ago...
Vocal warmup- To warm up our voices for class I played a slide whistle and the children imitated the sound it made.
Echo Song- The children echoed me as we sang the song. Oh my! (Oh my!) No more pie! (No more pie!)
Simple song- For the next few lessons I will be teaching the children a simple song using Do Re and Mi. This month's song is Frog in the Meadow.(Frog in the meadow, can't get him out, take a little stick and stir him about)
Arioso- These are tunes that the children create! Just as children develop a repertoire of words and are able to create original sentences, the children will be invited each class to make up original tunes and songs. Today I introduced this concept by demonstrating the difference between my speaking voice and my singing voice. Eg."I talk like this", and "I sing like this".
Movement Exploration-Today I pretended to have a bottle of bubbles and a bubble wand. I blew imaginary bubbles out to the group. Each child allowed a bubble to land in the palm of his or her hand. As we listened to "Carnival of the Animals, Aquarium" by Saint Saens we pretended to lift the bubble in the air as high as we could, watch it fall, quickly catch the bubble before it touched the ground. Using an imaginary straw we blew the bubble so large we could step inside it. We painted the inside of the bubble. At the end of the activity our bubble became smaller and smaller until it fit into the palm of our hand again. When the music was over, we popped the bubble!
Fingerplay-
Chop chop chippity chop (with one hand tap on the floor in front of you)
Cut off the bottom and cut off the top (continue tapping)
What there is left (scoop up chopped vegetables with both hands)
We'll put in the pot (place vegetables in the pot in middle of circle)
Chop chop chippity chop (resume tapping)
Beat Motions- As I played the hand drum I sang this song. "Listen , listen, here I come, Someone special gets the drum." Each child took turns drumming to the beat of the song.
Song Tale- I sang the song "I Had a Little Rooster". Children chimed in when they knew the lyrics. This is a really fun sort of alternate version of "Old MacDonald"
Vocal warmup- To warm up our voices for class I played a slide whistle and the children imitated the sound it made.
Echo Song- The children echoed me as we sang the song. Oh my! (Oh my!) No more pie! (No more pie!)
Simple song- For the next few lessons I will be teaching the children a simple song using Do Re and Mi. This month's song is Frog in the Meadow.(Frog in the meadow, can't get him out, take a little stick and stir him about)
Arioso- These are tunes that the children create! Just as children develop a repertoire of words and are able to create original sentences, the children will be invited each class to make up original tunes and songs. Today I introduced this concept by demonstrating the difference between my speaking voice and my singing voice. Eg."I talk like this", and "I sing like this".
Movement Exploration-Today I pretended to have a bottle of bubbles and a bubble wand. I blew imaginary bubbles out to the group. Each child allowed a bubble to land in the palm of his or her hand. As we listened to "Carnival of the Animals, Aquarium" by Saint Saens we pretended to lift the bubble in the air as high as we could, watch it fall, quickly catch the bubble before it touched the ground. Using an imaginary straw we blew the bubble so large we could step inside it. We painted the inside of the bubble. At the end of the activity our bubble became smaller and smaller until it fit into the palm of our hand again. When the music was over, we popped the bubble!
Fingerplay-
Chop chop chippity chop (with one hand tap on the floor in front of you)
Cut off the bottom and cut off the top (continue tapping)
What there is left (scoop up chopped vegetables with both hands)
We'll put in the pot (place vegetables in the pot in middle of circle)
Chop chop chippity chop (resume tapping)
Beat Motions- As I played the hand drum I sang this song. "Listen , listen, here I come, Someone special gets the drum." Each child took turns drumming to the beat of the song.
Song Tale- I sang the song "I Had a Little Rooster". Children chimed in when they knew the lyrics. This is a really fun sort of alternate version of "Old MacDonald"
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