By the end of the unit children will:
- Be confident creating short musical sentences and question and answer phrases on a variety of instruments.
- Improvise question and answer conversations using percussion instruments.
- Play short melodies on the melodica by ear and from known patterns.
- Confidently sing either part in a call and response song.
- Structure compositional ideas into a bigger piece.
Classroom
> Kye kye kule
A traditional call-and-echo song, thought to be from Ghana and in the Twi language, with syncopated (off-beat) rhythms.
> Boom chicka boom
a call and echo chant ideally suited as a warm up or ice-breaker activity. It is accessible, quick to learn and can be creatively adapted. The chant develops basic musical and PSHE skills whilst allowing children to have fun exploring their voices.
> A little echo
A simple ‘copycat’ song that introduces tonic sol-fa.
> Doo-bi-doo!
A swinging ‘call and response’ song built round a rhyming pattern! You can also use the simple structure as a template for song-writing, using new rhymes.
Watch and listen
> Fanfarra (Cabua-le-le) by Sérgio Mendes
> Dueling banjos by Arthur Smith, performed by Eric Dunbar and Stephen Baime
> Musical feelings listening track by London Rhymes.
Big Sing
> Bassez down
A lively, up-tempo calypso, full of irresistible syncopated rhythms and a contrasting call-and-response middle section.
> Płynie statek
A traditional Polish singing game that is particularly good for big group singing, in whole school assemblies or concerts.
> A Keelie
A call-and-response song that provides a great way of focusing children’s attention and bringing them together. This arrangement, including lyrics, is a Westernised version of a traditional Ghanaian song thought to be in the Dangme language.
> Mexican wave
The simplest of echo songs based on a constant rhythmic pattern, allowing your singers a virtually instant performance. The real highlight for singers is the actual physical Mexican Wave enacted as an interlude between the two verses!
