Let’s Get Started
Let’s Chant
At-Home Activity
Draw pictures and invent sound ideas to match. Make variations of familiar pieces (start with a different hand or play in a different location).
Let’s Sing
“The Jack O’Lantern”
From Keyboard Games Book A, pg. 7
Description:
- Dynamics: Soft
- Tempo: A little slow
- Meter: Triple (Du-da-di Du-da-di)
- Piano Keys Used: All the sets of two black keys
- Keyboard Register: The whole keyboard
- Hands: Two hands played separately changing register
- Technique: Arm movement with soft fist
Note: Children should use an up/down arm movement to move from one place to another on the keyboard. They should feel enough freedom to sink their weight into the keys, as the soft fist makes contact with the black key group, without being overly rough or making “banging” sounds.
Bonus!
Review any piece(s) learned so far. Try combining two pieces and play them in a row to make a medley.
From the Author
“Musical Expression. Experiment with different levels of articulation, dynamics, and tempos when playing keyboard pieces. Describe sound as “separated,” “connected,” “a little soft,” “kind of loud,” “not too fast,” or “very slow” to encourage students to think about and listen for contrasts and variety.”