Category Archives: Ocarina

2017/10 Ocarina problems

I’m teaching a year 3 /4 class the ocarina this coming term. What could go wrong? Here’s the excellent tutor book that came with the ocarinas; which I have used with great success all last year. Ah, now you may … Continue reading

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2017/7 Beethoven’s Fifth for Ocarinas

Last term I achieved a long-held ambition. When I stumbled across an arrangement of the themes from the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony for ocarinas I simply burst into laughter. Then I decided that it was something that HAD … Continue reading

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2/100 Ding dong, I’ve got the rhythm in my head

I tripped across this singing game a few weeks ago: Here is a youtube clip (one of many). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niN_TB-OJvs I’ve been using this all week, with various classes; year 1 and 2, year 3 and 4 djembe, year 4 and 5 samba … Continue reading

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Issue 28: The Game of Four – Warm up and Compostition

This has proved to be a useful warm up for any session involving keeping a steady pulse, and learning to internalise the pulse. As a preparation, do the “counting to eight game” first, to establish a pulse. Now, explain that you … Continue reading

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Issue 17: Easy Christmas Carols and Tunes

This is a bit of a post-in-a-hurry; but here are a few ideas; Mary had a Baby, yes, Lord Mary had a Baby, yes my Lord Mary had a Baby, yes Lord The people keep-a-coming and the train done gone. … Continue reading

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Issue 14: 101 things to do with “Rain on the Green Grass”

There’s a nice little 3-note round on the www.singup.org website; Rain on the green grass          Rain on the tree          Rain on the house tops          But not on me. If you want to see the notation, have a look at the website. … Continue reading

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Issue 5: Dishing Out The Instruments

I reckon this is about the most complicated part of your average music lesson.  I learned how to manage this “the hard way”.  Actually, I am still learning how to do this – but it is getting easier as the … Continue reading

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Issue 3: Ocarina for Keystage 1

Some years ago, while I was waiting to teach a Wider Opportunities lesson in a tiny village school,  I heard a pleasant and musical warbling sound coming from the infant classroom next to the hall. The door was open, so … Continue reading

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