Thanks so much for watching my video and heading over to Listen & Learn Music! I’m excited to share “The Toolbox Song” with you because it truly is one of the most effective tools in my musical toolbox (pun totally intended).
My students and clients request this song time and time again, and I am always happy to oblige, because it allows me to work on so many goals at the same time.
To receive the mp3, instrumental track, lyrics/chords and facilitation guide, simply enter your first name and email address below. Then I’ll deliver the download link to your inbox.
Shaky Fruit
These fruit shakers are the latest addition to my studio’s instrument collection, and I think I’m in love! They’re extremely realistic in appearance, so my students have been surprised to find that they are actually instruments. Once they start shaking, it’s hard to get them to stop.
I wrote a little tune dedicated especially to fruit shakers, cleverly and creatively titled “Shaky Fruit” (well, maybe predictably and unoriginally is more like it). Either way, it’s a fun song. Listen for yourself:
Doot-doot-do-doot, shaky fruit,
Apple orange, lemon and banana.
Doot-doot-do-doot, shaky fruit,
From Mississippi to Indiana.
Shaky apple, shaky apple,
Red and crunchy too.
Shaky apple, shaky apple,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
CHORUS
Shaky orange, shaky orange,
Round and juicy too.
Shaky orange, shaky orange,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
CHORUS
Shaky lemon, shaky lemon,
Yellow and sour too.
Shaky lemon, shaky lemon,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
CHORUS
Shaky banana, shaky banana,
Yellow and tasty too.
Shaky banana, shaky banana,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
CHORUS
I apologize in advance if you find yourself humming it over and over all day, as I’ve been doing for the last week or so! I’m already brainstorming for a song about veggies, which I’ll write after I purchase the vegetable shakers…
Today it is September
Can you believe it? I barely had time to get used to August, and it’s already over! It has felt like September for the last few days (seriously, 40-degree temps at night), but hopefully we’ll have at least a few more summery days before fall really sets in.
This is going to be one busy month…my calendar is almost full and it’s only day #1. I have several performances lined up, the start of Church Mice, a big event at the Hope Institute, and lots more to look forward to. Bring it on, September!
If you’re a regular reader, then you know that I begin each month with a song all about that particular month. Since Listen & Learn made its debut almost a year ago, I have already shared my “September” song. You can refresh your memory by listening to it here. So today, in the spirit of all things fall, we’re counting apples!
Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little apples 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 apples?
10 little apples,
All lined up in a row!
How are you welcoming the new month? Do you have your own September song? I’m off to go refresh my own memory (it’s been a while since I’ve sung it!) before my first class. Have a fantastic Tuesday!
Click, Clack!
Wow, has it been a busy week! Between the students at the Hope Institute returning to the classroom and long rehearsals every night for Guys & Dolls, I was ready for a weekend-long nap. I didn’t have that luxury, though; there were four performances and lots of work to be done, instead. It was exhausting, but here I am on Monday morning, ready for a brand new week at school and the start of the fall session at my private studio this afternoon.
In addition to my classes at school last week, I was also able to write a couple new tunes in preparation for the coming month. The first is one meant to accompany my new instruments: castanets! I purchased them through Musician’s Friend (see them here) and I think they are going to be a hit. Hopefully the song will be, too!
Click, clack, clack, click,
Move your fingers oh so quick.
Click, clack is the sound you get
When you play the castanet.
Left hand, click, clack,
Up and down and forth and back.
Left hand, open and close,
Click clack is how it goes.
CHORUS
Right hand, click, clack,
Up and down and forth and back.
Right hand, open and close,
Click clack is how it goes.
CHORUS
Both hands, click, clack,
Up and down and forth and back.
Both hands, open and close,
Click clack is how it goes.
CHORUS
For many of my students, the concept of left and right is very foreign and not yet within their grasp, but it’s never too early to start working on it. Listen to and read about another song I wrote on this very subject here.
I have more new songs in the hopper, so make sure to come back tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy your Monday! Oh, and the last day of August…can you even believe it??
A New Way to Say Goodbye
When I introduced a brand-new goodbye song in one of my classes this morning, I was met with mixed emotions…from the staff! The students seemed to respond very positively to the new tune, while several of my coworkers didn’t hide their disappointment that I strayed from the usual goodbye song. They were good sports, though, and were quick to adapt and sing along. I’m lucky to have classroom staff that are so supportive of the music therapy program :)
Like the hello song I discussed yesterday, today’s goodbye song replaces several old standbys that have passed their prime. See what you think:
It’s time for me to go, oh, oh, oh,
Music is over for today.
It’s time for me to go, oh, oh, oh,
So tell me, what do we say?
Goodbye, goodbye,
Farewell, and so long.
Goodbye, goodbye,
This is the goodbye song.
Wish I could stay, hey, hey, hey,
But I’m afraid our time is through.
Wish I could stay, hey, hey, hey,
But I have to sing goodbye to you.
Goodbye, goodbye,
Farewell, and so long.
Goodbye, goodbye,
This is the goodbye song.
And now I must say goodbye to YOU, because it is my bedtime! Now that school is back in session, I find that I need an extra hour or so of sleep in order to keep my energy up all day long. My job is extremely gratifying, but it is also extremely exhausting!
Time to Sing Hello
The students have returned! Today is the official start of the school year, and I’ve already had music therapy with two classes. It was so much fun seeing all of the kids after an entire summer away, and for the most part, they were happy to see me, too.
I was excited to introduce some new tunes, including a brand-new hello song. I had been rotating the same few for the last two years, and though the students and staff liked them, it was time for a change. This is what I came up with:
Hands clap,
Feet tap,
It’s time to sing hello.
To you and you and you and you
All of the people that we know.
So let’s all come together,
And sing out big and strong.
Let’s have a good time in music,
While we dance and play along.
Sit up tall,
Let’s have a ball.
It’s time to sing hello.
To you and you and you and you
All of the people that we know.
Hello everybody, hello.
Hello everybody, hello.
Hello everybody, hello.
Music has begun!
Introducing new songs and activities is always a challenge with some of our students, but so far, they’ve all responded very positively. Hopefully that will continue to be the case as I visit all of the remaining classes this week!
Yummy Summer
Back in July, I held a contest over at Listen & Learn Plus! which involved subscribers coming up with topics for fun summer songs. The second winner is Rebecca, and this was her idea:
“There are so many foods that seem to be best eaten in the summer at picnics, cookouts, and pool parties. What about a song dedicated to summer munchies?”
Rebecca won a Custom CD for her topic idea. This is the song I’ve come up with using her great suggestions. Hope you like it!
In the summer, there’s so much yummy food to eat.
For breakfast, lunch and dinner or a tasty treat.
When the weather is warm, my belly is full
The only thing that’s empty is the plate or bowl!
Watermelon, the fruit that’s green and pink,
Is best when eaten over the sink.
Because it’s juicy and sticky, and oh so sweet,
Watermelon is a yummy summer treat.
CHORUS
Salad is green and made of lettuce, it’s true.
A healthy food to eat for lunch, and you
Can top it with chicken or cheese, and then
The dressing comes last so go on and pour it in.
CHORUS
Corn on the cob is yellow with a crunch,
It’s my favorite vegetable of the bunch.
Cook it on the grill and season it, too.
Corn on the cob is a food that’s good for you.
CHORUS
Ice cream comes in every color you see,
One scoop for you, and one for me.
Eat it for a snack when the sun is hot,
Oh my, my, I like ice cream a whole lot.
On the Disney Channel
A while back, I mentioned a contest going on over at Listen & Learn Plus! which involved subscribers coming up with topics for fun summer songs. The first winner is Alison, and this was her idea:
“I have been thinking that for a lot of my kids it would be really cool to come up with a song about all of the different Disney shows. I have a lot of older kids who like Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Camp Rock, etc. I think they would get a kick out of a NEW song about all of those different popular shows combined instead of just singing theme songs from each. The same could apply for my younger kids with cartoons; Dora, Diego, The Wiggles, Spongebob are just a few of their favorites. Plus coming up with visual aids should be easy enough!”
Alison won a Custom CD for her topic idea. This is the song I’ve come up with using her great suggestions.
Oh-oh, I turned on the Disney channel
And what did I see?
Hannah Montana was performing just for me.
Miley Cyrus plays the part,
And I can sing “The Best of Both Worlds” by heart,
Disney, doo-doot-doo, I love you!
Oh-oh, I turned on the Disney channel
And what did I see?
The Jonas Brothers were singing a song to me.
I watched Camp Rock and saw their show,
Starring Kevin, Nick and Joe,
Disney, doo-doot-doo, I love you!
Oh-oh, I turned on the Disney channel
And what did I see?
The Suite Life was playing in front of me.
Zach and Cody, what a pair,
Are so cool with their long hair,
Disney, doo-doot-doo, I love you!
Oh-oh, I turned on the Disney channel
And what did I see?
The Wizards of Waverly Place were casting a spell on me.
Selena Gomez plays the role
Of Alex in this awesome show,
Disney, doo-doot-doo, I love you!
Oh-oh, I turned on the Disney channel
And what did I see?
Sonny With a Chance was entertaining me.
Demi Lovato is the star
And we all know she’s going far,
Disney, doo-doot-doo, I love you!
If your child or student has another favorite Disney show, this song can be easily adapted to include it. And Alison is right – making the visual aides to accompany the tune would be a snap.
You probably noticed that my audio player has changed…for the better! Now you can not only listen to the entire song, but you can share it with others or download it for yourself. It will take some time to have all my songs switched to the new format, but I’m working on it. In the meantime, have a wonderful Tuesday!
August Already?
Why is it that the winter months seem to last forever, while the summer flies by and is over in the blink of an eye? I know it’s not over yet, but as soon as August hits, I’m reminded that these lazy days are dwindling. Not that my summer has been lazy; actually, quite the opposite is true. But the sunshine and warm temps make life a little easier, no matter what is going on.
Well as you know, with each new month comes a song, and August is no exception. Here’s a tune to celebrate month number eight; take a listen:
Hot and sunny days are here,
And the end of the summer is near.
August is month number eight
And all thirty one days are great.
We’ll take a break from school days,
Everyone swims and plays.
Summer will be leaving soon,
So we sing this happy tune:
CHORUS
Time to get ready for the school year,
But there’s nothing for us to fear.
Class is fun and we learn a lot,
And in case you forgot:
CHORUS
Let’s pack up our book bags
And greet our teachers and friends.
Soon enough it will be fall,
But until the summer ends:
CHORUS
Last year around this time, I was knee-deep in wedding plans, parties, and other related celebrations. I have a feeling this August will be a bit more calm in comparison :) We are celebrating our one-year anniversary next weekend in St. Louis, so I’ll have that to look forward to as I jump right into another work week. Enjoy your Sunday evening!
Ten Little Suns
I know I’m always complaining about our crazy midwest weather, but in these last few days, I haven’t had much to complain about. We had a beautiful weekend with temperatures in the low 80s, and of course, lots of sunshine. All of these sunny days got me thinking that it is time to do a little counting…summer style!
Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little suns 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 suns?
Ten little suns.
All lined up in a row!
I’ve been so busy this summer that I haven’t taken complete advantage of the summer sun; I wish I could stockpile a few days for the winter months, when I really need them :) August will be here before we know it – go out and enjoy the last few days of July!
Learning Left and Right
This concept is just plain hard. I struggled with this as a young child, and even today when giving someone directions, I have to stop and think before I decide whether it’s a left or right turn. Maybe this is due to the fact that I am left-handed; us lefties have it rough ;) It’s hard to explain left and right to a child, so in this song I describe the same method I used so long ago:
The sky is up,
The ground is down,
But if you take a look around
There are other ways to go,
Left and right are what you need to know.
Hold up your hands
And reach your fingers to the sky,
Point your thumbs in,
Do you wanna know why?
Well the hand that makes an L
Is the left one.
The other is the right,
And now you’re halfway done.
Stretch your arms to your sides
As far as they can go.
Look at your left hand
And you will know,
That this way is left,
And the other way is right,
You are learning your directions,
And that is outta sight!
Do you have a better way for teaching left or right? If so, please share! You can never have enough tools in the box when it comes to teaching skills like this one.