From behind the scene...
Showing posts with label Year 2 music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Year 2 music. Show all posts
All-in-one: Nick Pitera
Children, watch this video and keep count of the number of characters in it.
Now, let's see how many people were behind the scence during the recording:
MARIO PAINT COMPOSER
MARIO PAINT COMPOSER is the program that I use to teach composition in Year 2. They can't get enough of it~~I can't wait to have them compose their own song when school starts again after the holidays~~
Mario Paint composer can be downloaded here:
http://www.winportal.com/mario-paint-composer
Please note that the musical function is quite limited, I'd say it's only suitable for children under 7.
For older kids, I recommend "Garage Band" (default program from iMac).
Mario Paint composer can be downloaded here:
http://www.winportal.com/mario-paint-composer
Please note that the musical function is quite limited, I'd say it's only suitable for children under 7.
For older kids, I recommend "Garage Band" (default program from iMac).
The oldest instrument in the world?
The didgeridoo is an interesting instrument. It is made of wood and produces a very unique sound. Some people believe that the Aboriginals in Australia has been playing this intrument 40,000 years ago and it is probably one of the oldest instrument in the world. However, record can only be traced back to around 1,500 years ago when the people in the Northern Territory started playing it. Listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and see if you like it! The second video is an Australian children song, I hope you can pick out the unique sound of the didgeridoo in the backdrop!
An Australian Children Song - True Blue Wonders
Giant Xylophone in the Forest
Last Year, I shared with a group of year 2 students the following video of virtual instrument. They were fascinated and kept asking me if it was real. I told them that I supposed it could be built with technology today but it would take a lot of manpower and resource.
This year, I am so happy to see this idea coming to live! A Japanese crew has constructed a giant xylophone in the forest playing Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desire
This year, I am so happy to see this idea coming to live! A Japanese crew has constructed a giant xylophone in the forest playing Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desire
A famous Australian folk song
When you look at Sydney and Melbourne, you can see the very modern side of Australia; when you visit the Great Barrier Reef, you see how Australia was blessed by one of the most amazing natural wonder of the world. When you walk towards central Australia, you'd meet aboriginals who may not look like Australian to you but actually they were the first people who occcupied this vast land. Here's one of Australias's most recognisable icon, ULURU.
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| Ayer's Rock, Central Australia |
If you can only learn one song from Australia, Waltzing Matilda has to be your choice! This song is known as "the unofficial national anthem of of Australia." This cartoon may help you define some of the Australian slang words that appear in the song! (words in purple are defined for you below)
WALTZING MATILDA
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolabah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three,
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never take me alive", said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Matilda: a romantic term for a swagman's knapsack.
swagman: a man who travelled the country looking for work.
billabong: a lake (a cut-off river bend) found alongside a meandering river.
coolibah tree: a kind of gum tree which grows near billabongs.
jumbuck: a large, naughty sheep.
billy: a can for boiling water in, usually 2–3 pints.
Tucker bag: a bag for carrying food ("tucker").
troopers: policemen.
swagman: a man who travelled the country looking for work.
billabong: a lake (a cut-off river bend) found alongside a meandering river.
coolibah tree: a kind of gum tree which grows near billabongs.
jumbuck: a large, naughty sheep.
billy: a can for boiling water in, usually 2–3 pints.
Tucker bag: a bag for carrying food ("tucker").
troopers: policemen.
Traditional Australian instrument - didgeridoo
When didgeridoo meets a western orchestra
Year 2 music: Christmas songs!!
Christmas songs make up an important part our childhood.
In Year 2, we sing two Christmas songs that are most suitable for their age! I love this old version of "Alvin and the Chipmunks", so do the children.
Christmas Don't be Late!
In Year 2, we sing two Christmas songs that are most suitable for their age! I love this old version of "Alvin and the Chipmunks", so do the children.
Christmas Don't be Late!
Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late
Just to spice things up, I also play them the new REMIX version~
The 2nd song I shared with them was "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." Year 2 is the perfect age to sing this song, isn't it? =B
孩子哭了
最近在Youtube找到一條片段﹐急不及待跟學生分享。片段來自一個烏克蘭的節目 (Ukraine's Got Talent)﹔一位擅長用沙粒作畫的藝術家在表演。在時而激昂﹑時而幽怨的音樂下﹐一盤平平無奇的沙粒在八分鐘的表演內變成一幅幅會說故事的連環圖。表演的尾聲﹐畫家在沙上寫了一句我不明白的烏克蘭語﹔亦寫了一句令我明白故事背景的四個亞拉伯數字 - 1945 - 她要說的是有關戰爭的故事﹔第二次世界大戰對烏克蘭來說﹐是黑暗的歲月。
這一段歷史﹐別說對我的小一﹑二學生﹐對我來說﹐也完全陌生。雖然我在學生播放前有過一絲猶豫﹐怕話題太深奧﹐小孩子不能明白﹐但是我還是選擇播了- 第一個原因是我想告訴他們知道創意不應受環境限制﹔哪怕一無所有﹖剩下一雙手和一堆沙﹐人們都沒有停止創作。第二﹐背景音樂很出色﹐整個表演觀賞度極高。
影片開始﹐孩子們凝望著熒光屏﹐看著那盤散沙慢慢變成一副漂亮的圖畫。孩子都驚訝得說不出話來 - 有的小口張開了﹑有的皺著眉 - 我最喜歡在這時候看他們。孩子臉上那副認真的表情總會令我鼻子一酸 - 孩子們﹐你知道嗎﹖老師雖然不算博學多才﹐但只要你們肯認真學﹐我們都願意把自己所認識的世界跟你們分享。
表演到了中段﹐課室裡響起一些不尋常的聲音。我回頭一看 - 有孩子哭了。我不作聲﹐決定讓他們繼續看下去。
八分鐘的演出完結後﹐我關掉熒光屏﹑走到課室另一端開燈﹔課室並沒有發出那一貫“散場”的雜聲﹐每個孩子都在沉思中。我走回自己的桌子前﹐看著他們﹐故作輕鬆地問他們﹕“怎樣﹖喜歡嗎﹖”他們靜靜地點頭 - 似乎他們突然意識到﹐這種”喜歡“有點另類。他們一向都喜歡玩耍﹑喜歡買玩具﹑喜歡吃巧克力...能討他們歡喜的﹐從來只有令他們快樂的事情。所以他們有點不明白﹔明明自己剛剛看完一個令人傷感的故事﹐但自己又確實很喜歡剛才那經驗。我告訴他們故事的背景﹐然後開始討論﹐讓他們抒發一下自己的情緒。他們想知道故事裡的主角為什麼哭﹑又想知道小孩子有沒有機會在戰爭結束後見到爸爸﹑亦問主角為什麼變老了。他們的問題令我想起小王子 - 孩子沒有興趣像成年人般去爭辯誰勝誰負或誰對誰錯﹐那堆有關傷亡數字﹑重建費用和有關年份的數字對他們來說全無意思。但細想﹐他們問的不就是最關鍵的問題嗎﹖戰爭的可怕是因為它令小孩子與爸爸永別﹑令人衰老﹑令人哭。
今天﹐老師跟小孩子一樣﹐都上了寶貴的一課。作為一個音樂老師﹐我從不特意催促你們進步﹑我更討厭比較。藝術的修養從不能強迫出來﹐更不能透過機械式的訓練而煉成。你們今天一起被一幅幅圖畫和音樂感動﹐有的更哭了出來﹔那是因為你們擁有一顆赤子之心﹐能赤裸裸地感受別人的感受﹔只要一直好好保存它﹐你們一定能繼續與藝術結緣﹔長大後成為有修養的人。
各位大朋友﹐有興趣的話﹐不妨一看﹕
這一段歷史﹐別說對我的小一﹑二學生﹐對我來說﹐也完全陌生。雖然我在學生播放前有過一絲猶豫﹐怕話題太深奧﹐小孩子不能明白﹐但是我還是選擇播了- 第一個原因是我想告訴他們知道創意不應受環境限制﹔哪怕一無所有﹖剩下一雙手和一堆沙﹐人們都沒有停止創作。第二﹐背景音樂很出色﹐整個表演觀賞度極高。
影片開始﹐孩子們凝望著熒光屏﹐看著那盤散沙慢慢變成一副漂亮的圖畫。孩子都驚訝得說不出話來 - 有的小口張開了﹑有的皺著眉 - 我最喜歡在這時候看他們。孩子臉上那副認真的表情總會令我鼻子一酸 - 孩子們﹐你知道嗎﹖老師雖然不算博學多才﹐但只要你們肯認真學﹐我們都願意把自己所認識的世界跟你們分享。
表演到了中段﹐課室裡響起一些不尋常的聲音。我回頭一看 - 有孩子哭了。我不作聲﹐決定讓他們繼續看下去。
八分鐘的演出完結後﹐我關掉熒光屏﹑走到課室另一端開燈﹔課室並沒有發出那一貫“散場”的雜聲﹐每個孩子都在沉思中。我走回自己的桌子前﹐看著他們﹐故作輕鬆地問他們﹕“怎樣﹖喜歡嗎﹖”他們靜靜地點頭 - 似乎他們突然意識到﹐這種”喜歡“有點另類。他們一向都喜歡玩耍﹑喜歡買玩具﹑喜歡吃巧克力...能討他們歡喜的﹐從來只有令他們快樂的事情。所以他們有點不明白﹔明明自己剛剛看完一個令人傷感的故事﹐但自己又確實很喜歡剛才那經驗。我告訴他們故事的背景﹐然後開始討論﹐讓他們抒發一下自己的情緒。他們想知道故事裡的主角為什麼哭﹑又想知道小孩子有沒有機會在戰爭結束後見到爸爸﹑亦問主角為什麼變老了。他們的問題令我想起小王子 - 孩子沒有興趣像成年人般去爭辯誰勝誰負或誰對誰錯﹐那堆有關傷亡數字﹑重建費用和有關年份的數字對他們來說全無意思。但細想﹐他們問的不就是最關鍵的問題嗎﹖戰爭的可怕是因為它令小孩子與爸爸永別﹑令人衰老﹑令人哭。
今天﹐老師跟小孩子一樣﹐都上了寶貴的一課。作為一個音樂老師﹐我從不特意催促你們進步﹑我更討厭比較。藝術的修養從不能強迫出來﹐更不能透過機械式的訓練而煉成。你們今天一起被一幅幅圖畫和音樂感動﹐有的更哭了出來﹔那是因為你們擁有一顆赤子之心﹐能赤裸裸地感受別人的感受﹔只要一直好好保存它﹐你們一定能繼續與藝術結緣﹔長大後成為有修養的人。
各位大朋友﹐有興趣的話﹐不妨一看﹕
World Music - Greece
In the Greek Music unit, we listened to a song called Tik Tik Tak. This song is sung by a Greek pop singer, Glykeria. Children loves the rhythm and would join in everytime when the music sings "tik tik tiki tiki tak," which depicts the beating of of the heart. This is the original version they hear in class. (Lyrics and translation can be found in the Putomayo World Playground P.8)
The Greeks are very musical; they sing their way to all kinds of ceremonies and celebration. (as you may have seen on "Mama Mia!") Despite the economic situation they're going through now, I can imagine how music still play a part in the people's lives. And of course, how would I miss introducing the bouzouki? If you close your eyes and listen to bouzouki music, you can really feel that you're chilling on a Greek Island. =)
I showed my Year 2 a video recorded from a local Greece TV show. A young boy is singing and playing the bouzouki at the same time. At first, children laughed because they've never heard the special way Greek sing. Soon, they quiet down and are amazed by the boy's talent. =)
Not only do the Greeks sing and play music, dancing is one of their pastimes, especially among the outcasts. Poor people may not have the money to buy NDS' and they certainly they can't afford a computer, but they still find many ways to have fun. This was how a unique form of Greek dance, Rembetiko, emerged in the 1920's.
Volkswagon's contribution to creativity
I think Volkswagon hires the most talented Marketing team. They always produce creative TV commericals, like this one:
This is not necessarily the best commercial from a marketing point of view, but it's a delight to watch it - cool idea and amazing performance.
Another video is from a site called "The fun theory." It's a site sponsored by Volkswagon.
The site describes itself as "[a site that is] dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better"
They give out award to those who can come up with creative ways to change people's behaviour; hence make the world a better place. Here's one of the award-winner - THE PIANO STAIRS:
My original intention to share this video with my Year 2 was more for fun. But it turned out to be a very good lesson:
I was surprised to find out that my Year 2 students don't really have an idea of what "being musical" is about. Their sense is narrow - only singing or playing an instrument is being musical. (composers, instrument makers don't count to their definition)
So after showing them the video, we had a discussion about the meaning of being musical. After the discussion, I asked them to finish the sentence," I'm most musical when I...." one said, "I'm most musical when I stand in front of an ice-cream van." Another said "I'm most musical when I play musical Wii games." And i'm surprised how many of them write, "I'm most musical when I sing in shower."
This is not necessarily the best commercial from a marketing point of view, but it's a delight to watch it - cool idea and amazing performance.
Another video is from a site called "The fun theory." It's a site sponsored by Volkswagon.
The site describes itself as "[a site that is] dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better"
They give out award to those who can come up with creative ways to change people's behaviour; hence make the world a better place. Here's one of the award-winner - THE PIANO STAIRS:
My original intention to share this video with my Year 2 was more for fun. But it turned out to be a very good lesson:
I was surprised to find out that my Year 2 students don't really have an idea of what "being musical" is about. Their sense is narrow - only singing or playing an instrument is being musical. (composers, instrument makers don't count to their definition)
So after showing them the video, we had a discussion about the meaning of being musical. After the discussion, I asked them to finish the sentence," I'm most musical when I...." one said, "I'm most musical when I stand in front of an ice-cream van." Another said "I'm most musical when I play musical Wii games." And i'm surprised how many of them write, "I'm most musical when I sing in shower."
Year 2 music: Canon in D - played by Baroque instruments
In Year 2, I think children are ready to start part-singing. I start training them through round singing. I spent a whole month teaching them about rounds and canons; we sang songs and build rounds on board. As a closing to this unit, I chose to show them a performance of the famous piece - Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel.
This video's resolution quality is high, the performance itself is amazing. At first, I was afraid that children would find it boring. To my surprise, this became one of the best teaching experiences this year:
- a few students took out their notebooks and copied down the songs's name without me asking them to. (some of them even copied down the complicated youtube link)
- a few came back and told me that they had shared it with their parents.
- 2 boys said that they recognize this piece of music from weddings they've attended.
- ALL the 6 classes I teach requested to see it for the second time.
It is a bit different to teach children the idea of a musical canon. Thanks to this music animation video. The different colours that represent different instrumental parts help children understand how a canon is formed and how the sounds of different instruments weave in and out with each other to create beautiful harmony. (The score at the bottom also helps!)
I'm amazed how much the children like Baroque music. =)
World Music - Bolivia
World music is one of the must-do topics in my curriculum. Children should start lisetning to exotic sounds from a young age, it is a great way to nurture their awareness towards cultural differences; instruments we are familiar with may not be popular in other countries. When children listen to a new sound, sometimes they laugh at it because it's too new that they feel a little uncomfortable hearing it. When they laugh, I asked them, "Do you think a boy from Bolivia would laugh when he listens to the sound of a violin? Perhaps he's never seen a violin in his life; just like how you've never seen a charango or zampona before. How would you feel if he laughs at you when you play your instrument?" Immediately, they get the idea - Learning world music is learning to respect differences among cultures.
When we listened to a song from Bolivia - La mariposa (The butterfly), we learnt about two common instruments from South America, the Zampona and the charango.
The Zampona resembles one of my favorite instruments; I love its exotic sound. This is the video I showed in class - It's not taken from a formal performance, but I used it because of the good sound quality. A boy from one of the classes used straws and rubber bands to build a Zampona himself after watching the video! =)
Although the sound of a charango is not very unique (as it looks like and sounds like a guitar), children remember the charango more because of this video I showed them when I introduced it in class:
You may wonder why I turned on the Discovery Channel during music class. In fact, some old charango was made of armidillo shells. My students looked really concerned when I told them about how, a long time ago, people used to kill the animals and make instruments using their skin or shells; they are glad that people are not doing it anymore now.
Here is a video I didn't have a chance to show in class. It gives a little background on, particularly, the Bolivian Charango. A nice charango tune accompanies the video.
A Musical Mystery
Robbie and Curly are attending a classical music concert which Robbie's grandpa conducts. Minutes before the concert starts, Grandpa found out that he has lost his score. Robbie and Curly have to go through a musical adventure in order to help Grandpa find the music. Can you give them a hand?
For teachers and parents - this is a great interactive resource for lower primary students to understand the some basic musical element such as sound, rhythm and orchestra.
Year 2 music: 爸媽小時候
音樂是一種文化產物﹐它承傳了上一代的智慧和歷史。音樂課便是一個令這些寶貴的產業世代相傳下去的渠道 - 這樣﹐好的歌才能活下去。孩子很少去認真研究父母孩童時代的喜好﹔但他們會很好奇去知道究竟爸爸十歲時玩什麼玩具﹖媽媽七歲那年聽過什麼歌﹖這兩首來自七十年代的歌正好給孩子機會去認識父母或祖父母的過去。我期待孩子跟我分享他們的新發現!
小時候
作曲﹕顧家輝 作詞﹕鄭國江
小小的宇宙 歡欣的宇宙
蹦蹦跳 哈哈笑 是我小時候
小小的宇宙 天真的宇宙
真的我 真的你 唔係小木偶
愛動腦筋 活潑天真 凡事好發問
踢波跑步打韆鞦 不知天高地厚
小小的宇宙 繽紛的宇宙
像皮球 天天轉 奇妙事不斷有
香蕉船
作曲﹕顧家輝 作詞﹕鄭國江
香蕉變出香蕉船 船上面有一排歡笑面
多可愛 多康健 齊齊共唱歌謠聽得見
歌聲笑聲滿世上 快樂雲裡現
滿載遊戲兼歡笑 它帶來溫暖
開心見到香蕉船 齊齊伴住彩虹天際現
彎彎掛於天空上 人人話那彩虹香蕉變
Year 2 music: Virtual music instruments
What are future composers like?
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| "The Composer" - Jennifer Main (1999) |
We have left the era when composers created by writing music note by note on manuscript paper. Nowadays, composers with computer keyboards using computer softwares. Furthermore, many composers nowadays may not even know music theory. They compose with MIDI and audio programs; they write great music!
Sometimes, as a classroom music teacher, I always question whether I am really preparing them for the future of music by teaching them theory the traditional way.
I tend to stand at a position that I should still teach them theory, so that they understand how people write music in the past. But as importantly, I need to make them realize that there are many ways to compose music.
When I show them virtual instruments like the one below, I keep telling them that it's FAKE (because it looks so real). These virtual machines are more about computer engineering than music composition; but it's in no doubt that they make quite beautiful music! This one, The Pipe Dream, is my favorite among other songs that you can find on Animusic's youtube site. As its official website says, these music machines are not particularly designed for any age group. I find children would enjoy this one since there are so many balls bouncing around. =)
Children are completely blown away by this machine. They keep saying, "wow! I can't believe this!" So I tell them, "maybe some of you will become a scientist or a computer engineer one day, but it doesn't mean that you can't continue to think of cool ways to compose music and amaze the world!" =)
By the way, to answer children's question "How'd they do that?" Here's how the virtual instrument is built on computer.
Anyhow, composing the traditional way is still easier for children to fathom. To make this experience more fun and rewarding, many famous symphony orchestras around the world have put in a lot of resource into developing their kids sites. When it comes to understanding the elements of music and the basics of music composition, The San Francisco Symphony's Kids Site is certainly the best!
Disney Song 2: I've Got No Strings (Pinocchio)
Why does the gay little dicky bird sing?
What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?
What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?
Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?
Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun, it's all because they're free,
and stringless the same as me.
I've got no strings to hold me down,
To make me fret or make me frown.
I had strings but now I'm free,
there are no strings on me.
Hi-Oh the merri-o, I'm as happy as can be!
I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW - NOTHING EVER WORRIES ME!!
I've got no strings so I have fun,
I'm not tied up to anyone.
How I love my liberty,
there are no strings on me!
Year 2 music: Disney Song 1 (Little April Shower from Bambi)
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all around
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April shower, what can compare with you beautiful sound.
Drip, drip, drop,
When the sky is cloudly, your pretty music can brighten the day.
Drip, drip, drop,
When the sun says, "Howdy", you say "Goodbye" right away.
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April Shower, beating a tune everywhere that you fall.
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April shower, I'm getting wet and I don't care at all.
Little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all around
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April shower, what can compare with you beautiful sound.
Drip, drip, drop,
When the sky is cloudly, your pretty music can brighten the day.
Drip, drip, drop,
When the sun says, "Howdy", you say "Goodbye" right away.
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April Shower, beating a tune everywhere that you fall.
Drip, drip, drop,
Little April shower, I'm getting wet and I don't care at all.
(Coda)
Drip! Drop! Drip! Drop! I'll never be afraid
of a good little gay little April serenade.
Drip! Drop! Drip! Drop! I'll never be afraid
of a good little gay little April serenade.
Year 2 music: Peter and the Wolf
Peter and the wolf is a brilliant composition. No matter how many times I've taught this, I'm still impressed by Prokofiev's creativity. This is still the best work I've come across that gives children a perfect start to learn about instruments, orchestra and program music. Click HERE to read more about Prokofiev.
Not only is the music wonderful, the story is simple yet so carefully writting to trigger children's imagination - the story's ending seems to be a perfect closure when the wolf is captured and escorted to the zoo by all the characters. Prokofiev, at this time, reminds the audience about the duck (who was eaten by the wolf early in the story.) - someone still hears her cry.
Prokofiev leaves the story to the children. I can already see how my Year 2 would keenly raise their hands, longing to share their thoughts about what really happens to the wolf and the duck and Peter and...
The wonder of this story makes it one of the most all-time-favorite teaching sources for music teachers. (You'd be amazed by how many sites and .pdf files you can download when you google "Peter and the Wolf")
I cannot wait to go through this exciting journey with my Year 2 this year! I still play them this old movie (in which the setting is not original) because I find the "Peter" from the 3-D movie (2006) looks a bit evil...the 2-D version is also shorter, which makes it a more appropriate source for classroom music.
You may visit New York Philharmonic KIDS to learn about different instrument families.
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