Issue 118: Hypnotism? The Aquarium

“The Aquarium” from “Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saens is one of the most potent tools in my possession.

Last week, I eyed up the 23 children waiting for a Wider Opportunities keyboard lesson, the first after Christmas, with mounting trepidation. I’d been hovering in a corner of the classroom while an increasingly “lively” afternoon register was in progress. The children, boys outnumbering girls by at least two-to-one were moving around the carpet space with greater and greater freedom, and voices were becoming louder and more piercing every minute.

I should welcome such a display of enthusiasm from the class at the prospect of a keyboard lesson, but in truth I was busy mentally revising the plans for an “energising” warm up, followed by body percussion, and then a song with actions which could transfer to the keyboards.

Instead, I dug out my trusty memory stick, stuck it into the computer and settled the children to listen to “The Aquarium”. Without telling them anything about the music, I wrote up three questions:Harry Potter Fish

  •  Was the music fast or slow?
  • Was it loud or soft?
  • What did the music make them think about?

It took a false start or two to persuade them to stop racketting about and listen, and then they were hooked. We had a very interesting discussion about how the music was fast AND slow, all the different ideas about the mood (and yes, “Harry Potter” did come up!), and how the music had louder and softer layers.

And, best of all, the children had calmed down, were receptive, and ready to learn.

There is something about this music that works every time. A colleague of mine used to joke that it hypnotised the children into a tranquil state. I’m in total agreement. Keep a copy with you at all times.

synchronisedpenguins2-copy

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