Somebody that I Used to Know on Orff Instruments

4th and 5th graders learned an arrangement to the popular song by Gotye, "Somebody that I Used to Know" on the Orff instruments and ukuleles (from here).

Mallet Madness Videos

Below are three videos from our Mallet Madness adventures!

1st grade follows the leader! Stepping is hands alternating, jumping is hands together, and wavy arms is a glissando (going up and down the instrument).

I read the book "Rumble in the Jungle" and after every short poem students play and say, "Rumble, Rumble, Rumble in the Jungle!" They learn about dynamics and how to crescendo.

This kindergarten class plays hands together on "JUMP FROG JUMP!" to the cumulative book, "Jump, Frog, Jump".

I'm a Little Monkey Ostinato

Below is a video of an ostinato I wrote, called "I'm a Little Monkey." Students learn that an ostinato is a rhythmic part that repeats over and over again. They learned all 3 parts to the ostinato and then combined them for a great performance!

4th and 5th graders on ukulele!

4th graders are moving right along with their ukulele karate songs. Here is the first song they learned for their white belt: Hot Cross Buns. They can finger pick the individual notes and sing at the same time!

The 5th graders were able to learn ukulele for 2 weeks. They learned how to play their C, F, and G7 chords. Here is one 5th grade class playing "London Bridge."

Fanfare on Ode to Joy for 5th grade band

This link will lead you to a recording of "Fanfare on Ode to Joy", which the 5th grade band is performing in the spring concert on May 21st, 2014.

Mallet Madness this month for K-3

Grades K-3 will experience "Mallet Madness" this month in music class! Mallet Madness is made up of 2 giant lines of both barred instruments and drums that students rotate through while singing a fun chant. This way students get to experience all of the instruments used. They will learn how to hold the mallets, improvise, follow a line of music, and make musical accompaniment to story books.

K-1 will also learn songs using smaller bell sets that have notes numbered 1-8 for easier playing. They will learn some of the beloved songs that every kid should know, such as hot cross buns!

Spooky Soundtracks by 5th graders

Back in October of 2013 5th grade students composed "spooky soundtracks" in small groups using the iPad app Garageband. Students began by listening to some examples of spooky music, such as music that people might play for trick or treaters or scary music they hear in the movies. They brainstormed ideas by creating a list of sound elements they heard in the examples, such as creaking stairs or wind whistling. On the iPad app Garageband students used the Smart Bass, Smart Keyboard, Smart Strings, and some also used the real mic to capture classroom instruments and voices.

Below are some examples of the finished products. Boo!