Cabasa is Boss

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

I’ve been neglecting this little beauty, otherwise known as the cabasa, since I purchased it back in early June. I really wanted to use it; I just never got around to it. Well I decided this week that it is time to put my newest instrument to good use, and I figured I may as well write a song about it, too.

Twist, twist, use your wrist,
That’s how you play the cabasa.
Twist, twist, use your wrist,
And play the cabasa for the whole wide world to hear.

The cabasa was born in Africa
Before it came to the USA
The cabasa’s a percussion instrument
And you’re playing it today.
Now pass it to your neighbor, that’s the way!

[REPEAT]

I’m going to try out this song this afternoon with one of my music therapy groups. The kids will sit in a circle, and I’ll have them take turns playing the cabasa and then pass it to their neighbor as indicated in the song. This is a great instrument not only because it sounds cool, but because it is visually and tactilely interesting. I am looking forward to seeing my students’ reactions today, because as far I know, they’ve never seen, heard or played a cabasa before. We’ll see how it goes!

Oh, one more thing. I want to give you an update on my Kickstarter project, which you can learn more about by reading my previous post.

In the first three days since launching my project, I’ve had five people pledge a total of $141, which is 7% of my $2,000 goal. Thank you to those of you who have pledged…and I’d like to invite everyone else to get on board, too. Listen & Learn Music has grown because of you, but it hasn’t reached its full potential yet. Let’s make it happen!

In Memory of Michael Jackson

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There’s not much left to be said about Michael Jackson that hasn’t been said already in the wake of his death. When I heard the news, I – like most people – found it hard to digest. MJ is an American icon, but he was human, too…something we tend to forget when it comes to ultra celebrities like him. No matter how he lived his personal life, nothing can change the fact that he was a phenomenal entertainer whose fame and influence spanned multiple generations.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Michael Jackson’s music over the past two weeks, and it’s been fun revisiting the songs that I loved so much as a child. I caught the last hour or so of his memorial service today, and I just have to share with you what I thought was the most emotionally moving musical performance of all:

I’ll never forget performing “Heal the World” as a third grader in my elementary school musical, We’re Gonna Have an Earth Day. The show itself was cheesy, but the feeling that I had when we sang that as a choir came rushing back as I watched today’s rendition during the memorial. There’s no questioning Michael Jackson’s profound effect on the world, and the fact that he will be missed.

Counting Time: Fireworks

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

I know the Fourth of July has passed, but I decided to write this post anyway. After all, the holiday weekend isn’t over yet and next to celebrating our country’s independence and those who protect it, fireworks are a central feature of the Fourth. In fact, I can’t recall a single Independence Day when I didn’t attend at least one patriotic display. You can find them all over our city, from the park to downtown to neighbor’s front yards, and despite the inclement weather, this year was no exception.

I think fireworks deserve their own place in the “Counting Time” collection, and my students agree. We have been counting them for the last week or so, along with flags, suns and ice cream comes. You know the tune by now, so go ahead and sing along:

Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little fireworks in a row,
Now let’s count them nice and slow:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Again!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

How many fireworks?
Ten little fireworks.
All lined up in a row!

Hope you had the chance to enjoy some fireworks in your neck of the woods, and that you have the opportunity to relax on this lazy Sunday (which is exactly what I’m doing). Bye for now!

Clap Your Hands ‘Cause it’s July!

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

Holy cow, already? It still feels as though summer is just getting started. Regardless, the beginning of July is one of the highlights of the summer, and the fun begins today with a brand-new song of the month. (Actually, I wrote it last July…but it’s new to you!)

Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.

Wave your flag, way up high,
Celebrate the fourth of July.
Let’s all wear red, white, and blue,
Fireworks for me and you!

CHORUS

Independence is the word,
Patriotic songs are heard.
Let’s join in and sing out loud,
For our country we are proud.

CHORUS

Summer’s coming to a peak,
It gets hotter every week.
Hear the crickets chirp at night,
Until the morning sun shines bright.

CHORUS

What are your plans for the 4th of July? And do you have any festive songs to go along with this patriotic holiday? If so, please share :) July is already off to a busy start for me – my best friend is coming to town today, I’m playing at a new venue on Friday, and of course, Saturday will be filled with food, fun, and fireworks. The perfect trifecta, if you ask me.

The Heat is On

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

I tell you what, us Midwesterners get the worst of both winter and summer weather; we’re experiencing the latter right about now. And to think — it’s only June! Luckily, I have the perfect song for such a time:

The sun is shining down from the sky,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
The temperature is up real high,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!

Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sittin’ in the shade in a nice cool chair.
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Runnin’ through the sprinkler without a care.

We’re wearing sandals, and short-sleeved shirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
Boys wearing shorts, and girls wearing skirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!

Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sippin’ lemonade through a plastic straw,
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Hummin’ a tune that goes “la la la la!”

This song perfectly describes a day like today. One of my piano students is having a birthday party this afternoon featuring water balloons and slip ‘n slides…I have a feeling that after walking the dog, I’ll wish I was at that party!

Summer has Arrived

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

Ahhh, summer! These three months are by far my favorite of the entire year, and I start counting down the days around, oh, February. I have so many wonderful summer memories: long, lazy days at the neighborhood pool with my friends, vacations with family, my beautiful August wedding last year…just to name a few. I’ve already begun making memories for Summer 2009, even though technically, it began just yesterday!

The song I wrote for this season is happy and chill, perfectly reflecting my feelings about summer. I hope you like it! Take a listen:

Do you know the warmest season of all?
It’s not winter, spring, or fall.
It comes in June and sticks around
Until September leaves are down on the ground.

It’s summer, it’s summer,
When the sun’s hot rays brighten all of our days.
It’s summer, it’s summer,
So jump in the pool to keep yourself cool,
While you sing this summertime tune.

June, July and August days are so long,
The sprinklers are going strong.
The grass needs water and so do we
So we’re healthy and we have energy.

CHORUS

Playing outside can be so much fun,
Unless you get burnt by the sun.
So wear your sunscreen, protect your skin,
‘Cause if you don’t, you’ll have to stay in.

CHORUS

I had to include the bit about sunscreen, especially after resisting it for so many years of my childhood. Now more than ever, it’s so important for children to be protected in the sun…but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that! But back to the topic of music. I have an entire playlist on my iPod dedicated to the hottest days of the year. What are your favorite summertime tunes? Please do share!