Making Music with Child-Crafted Instruments!

Children take great pride in their own creations! Often they use something more carefully when they’ve made it themselves. 

   Miss Carole of Macaroni Soup here - gettin' crafty! This month I’ll show you how we made bolang gu – pellet drums for celebrating Chinese New Year, and claves, for tapping out rhythms and using as manipulatives.  I have offered posts on songs to use with both of these instruments – be sure to take a look at the original blogs to go with these instruments.

CLAVES (CLAH-vays) are percussive sticks of the same size that can be tapped together rhythmically.  I use 1” dowels cut in 8” lengths. You can make 6 claves out of a 48” dowel rod – and if you ask really really nicely, the guy at the lumberyard may cut them on the circular saw for you! Use your “teacher card” – smile and say “it’s for little kids!”  Works every time!

CUT medium and fine grade sandpaper into 3” squares – each child will need one square of each.  Have your students sit on newspaper – less clean-up later.  They should sand each end of each stick (they’ll each need 2 sticks) until they are smooth and there are no splinters.  Put the child’s initials on the end of each stick with marker if you intend for them to take their claves home eventually.

Paint!  I use washable acrylics – but we still wear cover-ups, just in case.  Put out about 4-6 colors.  Some helpful hints for your artists:

    1.   Try not to mix paint colors on your stick – it will look muddy.
     2.   Drain the brush of excess paint each time you dip to prevent globs of paint, which won’t dry properly.           

   I stand the painted claves upright in a shoebox to dry.

When claves are totally dry (at least overnight), a light sanding by the kids will bring up the colors. Towel off all debris. I spray claves with glossy polyurethane for protection.  Voila – colorful child-made claves!

For song ideas to use with your claves, check out my Dec 16, 2013 blog: “Tap It Out!”  You’ll find “I Can Hammer”, “My Grandfather’s Clock” and “The Red Red Robin Stick Dance” – the latter with a FREE DOWNLOAD!

CHINESE DRUMS are percussive instruments that can be used to accent a song OR story!  This year, the lunar new year begins on February 19 – and you’ve got 15 days of celebration to enjoy learning about a beautiful and intriguing holiday observance. It's the year of the goat/sheep!

    Check out my January 2013 blog “Chinese New Year – Sing, Dance, Create!” for the Nancy Stewart’s beautiful FREE DOWNLOAD “Gung Hay Fat Choy” – which means Happy New Year in Chinese.  You’ll also find a quick recap of some traditions – from red envelopes to cleaning the kitchen.  There are also great read-able book suggestions.

    This year my 4 -5 year olds made Bolang Gu – Chinese drums – from paper plates, a dowel, some ribbon and beads.  They really enjoyed the process AND the firecracker-y sound they made when played.

Supplies:  white glue, a stapler, a hole punch. 

Optional: stickers, or construction paper “good luck” in English & Chinese characters.

For each drum you will need:

two 6-8” paper plate (red or multi-colored)

two 8” pieces of ribbon, string or cord

4 small plastic beads

1 3/8” dowel, 10 – 12” long (I got pre-cut dowels at the craft store)

To make (highlighted steps were done by me – use judgement as to what your students can safely handle):

1. if using colored plates, press plates inside out so that color is on outside

2. staple 2 plates together around the edges, leaving a place to insert the dowel

3. punch hole at 3 & 9 o’clock

4. decorate plates – stickers, “good luck”- whatever you choose

5. put ribbon through hole on each side, thread bead, tie knot at end of ribbon

6. insert dowel, drip a little glue into each side of dowel, turn it once to spread

When glue is dry, hold dowel between flat hands and rub hands together to turn the dowel.  The beads will swing back and forth, hitting the drum faces – pop pop pop!

    Katie at Gift of Curiosity has a nice blog on this project.  Check it out!

    As I told my class the story of Nian (n’YEN) – the sea creature who ate whole villages – and the old man who scared Nian away forever by putting up lanterns, red banners and firecrackers – they used their drums, scarves and voices, too!  Great fun!  We also used our drums in “Gung Hay Fat Choy” – during the final verse, I dance the dragon/monster – they make loud noise to scare me away!

    I wish I had pictures of this final verse – but I was IN IT!  Try it yourself – if you can’t make drums, the children can clap their hands loudly.

Yes, there is preparation when making instruments. I have found it worth it – students and their parents tell me repeatedly how their child played with the instruments they made many times at home, and that these are treasures and memories that are valued.

    Hooked?  Make rainsticks! Check out my May 2012 blog: Rainsticks to Sing With!

       Yours for a TapTap and PopPop Song!       

       “Miss Carole” Stephens

       Macaroni Soup! Active Music for Active Learners!

SPRING! Songs, Chants & Apps to Welcome the Season

Hello everyone! Ms. Brigid here, fromMerit School of Music  in Chicago, IL. Thank you for joining me!

©2013 Brigid Finucane, Chicago Botanic Garden

©2014 Brigid Finucane

The earth is finally awakening and turning pretty again, with apple trees in full bloom,  arches of bleeding hearts, and lilacs starting to perfume the air. Inside, my geranium cuttings are blossoming after a long winter’s hiatus, and the gardenia has opened four buds today, with dozens more on the way! It’s Spring!

This is the perfect time  of year for bird songs, stories, and dramatic play in the classrooms – made more magical by the appearance of my plush Audubon robin toy. 

Press the back and  fat tummy (filled with worms!) simultaneously, and the robin “sings” an authentic song!         I encourage children to look for robins outside in their yards, parks, and playground.  All of a sudden, bird becomes robin who nests amongst the apple tree blossoms and whose eggs are the color of the sky.

TWO LITTLE BLACKBIRDS

©2014 Brigid Finucane, Blackbirds in the garden!

Of course, the robins have lots of friends, including two little red-winged blackbirds, named Jack and Jill. My Audubon blackbirds, are a bit shyer than the robin, and make their presence known by calling to the children from the depths of the music bag. I ask, “Does anyone know who is making that sound?” No one does. “Does it sound like a robin?” No! Only a robin sounds like a robin! Out come the Audubon blackbirds, squawking away! After introducing them to the group, the song is taught. There are many different melodies to choose from,* but it works equally well as a chant (spoken). Get your blackbird fingers ready! 

                                                  Two Little Blackbirds

Traditional

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill,

One named Jack, the other named Jill.

Fly away Jack!  Fly away Jill!

Come back Jack!  Come back Jill!

*My melody.  Made with Shadow Puppet app

Over the years I’ve added more verses: Some shared by friends, others I’ve made up. The verses I like best are (often) silly, composed of opposite pairs and have a kinesthetic element – but that’s just me! Your kiddos will guide you to the best choices for your class. Invite them to offer their ideas, and make rhyming the first two lines a class challenge! In the ideas below, the blackbirds are sitting on a…, playing in the…., flying in the…., etc.,  e.g.,

Two little blackbirds flying in a  cloud. One was soft, the other was loud.

Two little blackbirds playing with their Dad.  One was happy, the other was sad.

snow /  fast and slow                                            snow  / sang high, sang low

gate  / early and late                                             stick / healthy and sick

bend / beginning and end                                    kite /  heavy and light

IT’S HARD TO STOP!

Two little blackbirds chatting by the pool, one was hot, the other was cool.

driving in a car / near and far                            flying into town / up and down      

sitting on a wall / short and tall                         so pretty to behold  / shy and bold

chair  / here and there                                          wheelbarrow / wide and narrow

MORE IDEAS FROM TIM SESTON, CMN

Cool note: Tim turns the blackbirds into penguins for the winter!

Two little blackbirds sliding down a hill, one name won’t and one named will.

Spinning in the breeze / dance and freeze        Sitting on my shoulder/ hotter and colder

Sitting on my knee / you and me                        Sitting on my pinky / fresh and stinky

In addition to singing, we talk about blackbirds’ habitat and look at pictures of them in the wild on my iPad. Did you know the females are brown? My kiddos do, thanks to the iPad app, iBird Yard +, which offers fascinating and easy to navigate support materials that include photos, bird songs/ calls directly in the app and a slideshow option with sound. Photographers are credited, which is a very nice touch.

FIRST YOU TAKE A SEED

A song from the Hebrides dances through my brain as I walk through my neighborhood in my self-appointed role as a plant detective, applauding the appearance of buds and blossoms and sprouting green spears:           

           

                        For day’s work and week’s work as I go up and down,

                              There are many gardens, all about the town.

The song goes on to name flowers and trees blooming in the in the gardens, and ends perfectly, in sync with my thoughts:

                        I have passed your railings, When you never knew.

                        To people who have gardens I give my thanks to you.

©2014 Brigid Finucane

Yes, it’s time to plant a garden – and I have just the poem to share, written by Susan Salidor . It’s not only a surefire hit, but includes all the elements: earth, water, sunshine and time! 

First You Take a Seed 

©Susan Salidor

First you take a seed                             Mime holding a small seed.

And you plant it in the ground.          Plant the seed.  Make sure to cover it.

Next a raincloud comes                     Make a fist and move it across the “sky.”

And waters all around.                        Open fingers and “rain”/wiggle fingers
                                                                               over seed.

Then the sun shines brightly,              Draw a circle in the sky, open fingers to

                                                                              “shine.”

Without a sound.                                    Finger to lips – “shhh!”

And in just a few days,                          Slowly push one hand though fist like

                                                                               plant growing.

A flower is found.                              Open and wiggle fingers for “a  flower.”

©2014 Brigid Finucane, Emma!

This is a great partner game. One person plants, the other is the flower. Switch. 

©2014 Brigid Finucane, Emma & Kate (Sisters)!

But wait! There’s more! Watch Susan reciting the poem on YouTube, then take a look at the happy teacher-created bulletin board based on the poem!

RAIN & CRESCENDO RAINSTORMS

Spring in the Midwest means rain, rain and more rain! Rain everywhere - 

but not on me!

Rain On the Green Grass 
(Traditional)

Rain on the green grass,             Lower both hands in stages, with fingers apart.

Rain on the trees,                          Lift arms like branches on either side of body.

      OR Tree sign:  Arm vertical, open hand twists. Elbow rests on opposite hand.

Rain on the rooftops,                   Make shape of house, starting with peak of roof.

But not on me!                               Point to your own self with index finger.

©2014 Brigid Finucane, Briana Hornsby (daughter)!

Extensions:

1) Vocal echoes with comparatives.

Ask students to echo. Draw from high/low, piano/forte, staccato/legato,  fast/slow, singing/speaking voices. Each phrase can be done a different way.

2) Beat & rhythm.

Clap or walk the beat (“feet to the beat”) while reciting the chant, then clap the rhythm.

3) Half and half.

While standing with a partner, rock the beat for the first half

of the chant, and pat the rhythm (“rhythm hands”) with your partner for the second half Be gentle! There are no trips to the hospital in music class!

 

©2013 Brigid Finucan

4) Drums, Please!

Play the chant’s rhythm on a gathering drum, buffalo drums or nested frame drums,* phrase by phrase. Older children can try chanting and playing the rhythm all the way through without echoing. This is great syllabication practice! *See the Percusssion Discussion below for simple ideas about introducing drums to your classroom.*

©2013 Brigid Finucane

5) Crescendo Rainstorm!
After saying and playing the chant’s rhythm, finish with a crescendo storm!  A crescendo is when sound gradually increases from soft (piano) to loud (forte). First practice with hands on the room’s carpet, then try it with drums. Start with one finger on each hand, then gradually add more until all fingers and both hands are  engaged.  Crescendo!!! It’s also great fun to introduce, then say, the words pianissimo (very soft) and fortissimo (very loud) in Italian, the language of music. If young children can casually tell me, “My parents drink cappuccino,” they can also say fortissimo!

6) Crescendo circle.

Hold hands in a small circle. With feet to the beat, chant Rain On the Green Grass very softly (pianissimo). Repeat, taking a small step backwards, and recite the chant a bit louder. With each repetition, the circle gets a bit larger and the volume a bit louder, until finally, the circle is fully extended and the volume level has reached fortissimo (very loud). Crescendo!

*Percussion Discussion!

Drums are exciting! Minimize the potential for chaos by taking time to introduce the drums and demonstrate sounds that can be made. Discuss appropriate use, starting and stopping together, etc.

I have found success with bringing in several nested drums and placing them flat on the floor so kiddos can use alternating hands  when they play rhythms and the crescendo rainstorm. Groups take turn playing. When one group finishes the sequence, the next group takes their place.

Sit one to three children at a drum, depending on the sizes of the drums, children and class! Consider using a ritual like the described below, so that you can easily check that no instruments are being assaulted and everyone is having fun.  I start with a ritual every time the drums come to class. The players echo everything I say, and mirror my playing.

Ritual                                                                                   

Hand’s up!                 (Said after every phrase)

Hello, drum!              (Hit drum, using the word’s rhythm)           

Give it a scratch!      (Scratch drumhead gently. Experiment with sound.)

Now pet the drum.   (Rub the drumhead gently. Experiment with sound.)

Good drum!                (Hit  drum, using the word’s rhythm.)   

Bits and Pieces

The Children’s Music Network's listserv is bursting with wonderful ideas for celebrating the season. Here are a few of my favorites:

Stuart Stott’s impeccable blogpost and song celebrating gardens and community.

©2013 Brigid Finucane

Liz Buchannan’s version of Two Little Blackbirds / Robins  connecting traditional songs to literacy learning.

Mike Whitla’s composition, “Trees Need the Sun”, whose first verse goes:

Trees need the Sun (make a circle with your arms for the sun),

Trees need the rain (use your fingers to show rain),

Trees need the earth (touch the ground with your hands),

It's always been that way.

© 2012 Rock’n’Rainbow Music Publishing/Rainbow Songs Inc.
 

And last, but not least, Debbie Carroll’s “Simply Beautiful” version of The Tree Song by Lorraine Lee Hammond, a perfect song about an apple tree through the seasons.  "...in Springtime the blossoms grow on me.  They open, they open." It makes my heart sing.

And in the end...how did I use my iPad in the activities and blog creation, anyhow?  

Apps: iBird Yard +, Shadow Puppet (video sing-along), Camera for taking pictures of kiddos, Diptic and Photostein (photo frames), Educreations (adding text to photo collages), Screenshots of gathering drums, app icons, and more!

             

©2014 Brigid Finucane

I am continually inspired by the Children’s Music Network (CMN) community. an international group of socially conscious musicians, educators, librarians, families, songwriters and good people, who “celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas, and creating community.” Please visit CMN, and find a gathering in your region. 

©2014 Brigid Finucane  * 847-213-0713 * gardengoddess1@comcast.net

http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com 

http://brigidfinucane.blogspot.com

@booksinger1

Blog History

April 2014. Part II. Dancing, Singing & Drawing Legato and Staccato

March 2014. Part I. From “Hush Little Baby” to Yo-Yo Ma – Using Books, Apps and YouTube Videos to Introduce Legato and Staccato

Feb.2014. Pete Seeger – A Time to Thank

Jan.2014. Gung Hay Fat Choy! Stories, Books & Apps to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

Dec.2013. Singing Time! Embracing Appadiction