Songs without words in the music classroom

Songs without words are a wonderful opportunity to focus solely on music and movement. This week, we are musiking with the song "Bouncing Ball" from "Growing Up With Music" songbook, and experimenting with form, movement, resting tone ostinato, and rhythm. Originally, I composed this song for an early childhood setting, and often used a stretchy band to enhance it. With upper elementary students, I begin by singing to them, and exploring the song's phrasing throrough locomotor and stationary movement. There are many creative ways to modify this activity. Below are just a few examples.

PHRASE 1

STRETCHY BAND: Seated in a circle, gently bounce stretchy band to macrobeats.

MOVEMENT: Swing arms to macrobeats. Bend knees as you swing.

PHRASE 2

STRETCHY BAND: Move the stretchy band in curvy pathways in front of you. Use indirect, bound flow. Avoid moving to the beat.

MOVEMENT: Give a smooth ride to an imaginary object in the palm of your hand. Explore space in front, behind, and beside you.

PHRASE 3

STRETCHY BAND: Raise and lower the stretchy band to show melodic contour.

MOVEMENT: Move hands to macrobeats as notated below:

pat lap with silent fingers (aka "marshmallow fingers, "spider fingers");
touch hands together as if catching a ball, keeping fingers curved.

Hand Pattern

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