Tag Archives: djembe

Issue 105: Rabbit run on the frozen ground

Posted on September 29, 2013 by

This is a great little children’s song from Kentucky. I first came across is in Jo McNally’s “Young Voiceworks” anthology – a resource I go back to time and time again (Warm up and Stomp Cannon, Star light, star bright, … Continue reading →

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Issue 104: Sambalele (is a monkey)

Posted on September 22, 2013 by

This is a neat little song about a monkey. I’ve come across it in a number of different versions, all with roughly the same tune, but with varied lyrics and slightly altered rhythms. This is the version that I am … Continue reading →

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Issue 79: Out of The Ark Comic Relief Song

Posted on March 3, 2013 by

Red Nose Day – Friday 15th March  I’ve had a great time teaching the Out Of The Ark Music Comic Relief song to several classes last week. It is available, with all the supporting material (Words-on-Screen, lead sheet, score, vocal … Continue reading →

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Issue 44: The Shepherd, the Sheep and the Wolves (year 3)

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

“They’re a bit unsettled today” said the class teacher at lunch time. I recognised the concealed meaning in the careful phrasing. Too much wet play, too many windy days. The classroom was – shall we say “a hive of activity”? … Continue reading →

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Issue 42: Olympic Activity; Synchronised Swimming

Posted on June 8, 2012 by

This is a bit of a golden oldie, but none the worse for that. Working in pairs, the children mirror each other’s movements; child 1 is the leader, and child 2 is the “mirror”. So, whatever child 1 does, child … Continue reading →

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Issue 35: Djembe Rhythms “Why are we waiting?” “Don’t Know”

Posted on April 20, 2012 by

What happens when you keep a music teacher waiting for their lunch? A djembe rhythm, of course. We all went out for a family reunion to a really nice pub (details available on request), but unfortunately we arrived at the … Continue reading →

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Issue 30: A simple version of Kuku for Djembes

Posted on March 16, 2012 by

This is a simplified 3-part djembe pattern based on “Kuku”, which I learned from a colleague. It uses just tone and bass sounds. Part 1 makes a good accompaniment to the song “Funmje Alafia“. Part 1 (over 16 beats) beats 1 … Continue reading →

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Issue 29: Funmje Alafia

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

This is traditional Yoruba song. You can find many versions of it on YouTube, and it is also in the OUP song book “Young Voiceworks” by Jo McNally. It is a welcome song, about offering happiness. (The Voiceworks series of songbooks from OUP … Continue reading →

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