Monthly Archives: May 2013

Issue 89: Welcome to the Jungle

Have I ever mentioned that you can subscribe to www.themusicjungle.co.uk and get it downloaded to your kindle? Just saying! Self-advertisement aside, I’ll just run through this week’s posts: Rippling Rhythm, Singing for Stroke Recovery, and my main teaching activity for the next few class … Continue reading

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Issue 89: Rippling Rhythm

This fantastic 1930s dance tune is featured in the AC Black Music Publication “Elements: Listening to Music 5+”.   The book has been re-issued as part of the Music Express Series: I have no idea if the contents are the … Continue reading

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Issue 89: Singing for stroke recovery

Back in January I mentioned that my mother had a major stroke. She continues to make progress in regaining some movement, but it is a very, very slow business. One health issue concerns breathing and speaking. Her voice has lost a lot … Continue reading

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Issue 89: Djembe Plans – Group Composition

This is what I do in the final half term of Wider Opportunities Djembe classes. Each step happens as part of a lesson. Step 1 Introduce (or revisit) the idea of using phrases to create djembe rhythms. I just look … Continue reading

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Issue 88: Welcome to the Jungle

Spring! Proper Spring weather! Yes, yes, I know the English have a reputation for being obsessed with the weather but that’s because we have so much of it. I lived in Indonesia and Singapore for a few years as a teenager, … Continue reading

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Issue 88: Boomwhackers in Sunday School

Now, this is something I did in Sunday School in church this morning, but before you skip straight to the next post because you are not interested or involved in church, stay with me just a moment longer. My “topic” … Continue reading

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Issue 88: Class ABRSM Music Theory Lessons

One primary school I work in has been running a music theory club in the lunchtime. The first group of students are all set to take Grade 1 theory this Summer, having started from scratch last October. It was very … Continue reading

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Issue 88: Switch – Taking it to another level

To my amazement, I met a music teacher who didn’t know how to play “Switch”. It’s a great game for pulse and rhythm, focus, and independence. So here’s how you play it. before you play it with the children, you … Continue reading

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