Once every few months, I write a song to be used with the instrument being played in the picture above: the tone block. These are a staple in my early childhood music classes, because they are excellent for targeting fine motor skills. They also sound nice and are fun to play!
Ring, ring…that’s the sound of a tone block.
Ring, ring…that’s the sound of a bell.
Ring, ring…that’s the sound that ______ makes.
Ring, ring…that’s the sound that ______ makes.
{Repeat for all students}
Ring, ring…that’s the sound of a telephone.
Ring, ring…that’s the sound of a school bell.
Ring, ring…that’s the sound that we all make,
But now it’s time, to put our tone blocks away.
Very simple, but great for a group setting since it allows for each student to “solo” on the tone block. Before we begin the song, I ask my students to name different instruments and objects that make a ringing sound. They are more creative than I was when writing this song, that’s for sure :)
I love the cabasa because not only is it totally fun to play, but it is also multi-sensory. The unique sound it produces, coupled with the tactile input, makes this one of my most frequently used instruments during music therapy sessions.
Play the Cabasa serves as a great introduction to this instrument, but there is so much more you can do with it. I don’t have any other specific songs I’ve written for the cabasa — instead, I usually just make up a song based on how I’m using it in a session. For example, I might ask my student to roll it over different body parts (foot, leg, arm, etc.) or do that myself if he/she is not able.
I incorporated a few different ways of playing the bells, but there is definitely opportunity for additional verses. Here’s what I came up with:
There was an old lady who played the bell,
Just like you she played the bell,
She played so well.
There was an old lady who played so fast,
Quickly as the time flew past,
Just like you she played the bell,
She played so well.
There was an old lady who played so slow,
On and on and on, she’d go,
And after that, she played so fast,
Quickly as the time flew past,
Just like you she played the bell,
She played so well.
There was an old lady who played up high,
In the air, from morning to night,
And after that, she played so slow,
On and on and on, she’d go,
And after that, she played so fast,
Quickly as the time flew past,
Just like you she played the bell,
She played so well.
I’d love to make a little picture book to go along with this song eventually. Or maybe even an entire series about the old lady who played different kinds of instruments. How fun would that be?!
When I first found these canary sticks, I wasn’t sure exactly how I’d use them — I just knew I had to have them. They are easy to “play” and the bird chirping sound they make is pretty realistic.
They sat unused for a few months, but I finally decided to try them out with my students. But before I did that, I asked my Twitter friends for songs about birds. I received about 15 or so great suggestions, but ended up going with two pretty well-known songs. I combined them into one, and it turned out like this:
He rocks in the treetop, all day long,
Hoppin’ and a boppin’ and a singin’ its song.
All the little birdies on jaybird street
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.
Rockin’ robin! (Tweet, tweet, tweet.)
Rockin’ robin! (Tweet, tweet, tweet.)
Go rockin’ robin ’cause you’re
Really gonna rock tonight.
All the little swallows, all the chickadees,
All the little birds in the tall oak trees.
The wise old owl, the big black crow,
Flappin’ their wings, singin’ “go bird, go!”
Rockin’ robin! (Tweet, tweet, tweet.)
Rockin’ robin! (Tweet, tweet, tweet.)
Go rockin’ robin ’cause you’re
Really gonna rock tonight.
Don’t worry about a thing,
Because every little thing
Is gonna be alright.
Rise up this morning,
Smile with the rising sun.
Three little birds perch on my doorstep.
Singin’ sweet songs,
Of melodies pure and true,
Singin’ “this is my message to you.”
Don’t worry about a thing,
Because every little thing
Is gonna be alright.
One of those birds,
Its name was _______
And it made a pretty tweeting sound.
Singin’ sweet songs,
Of melodies pure and true,
Singin’ “this is my message to you.”
Don’t worry about a thing,
Because every little thing
Is gonna be alright.
In the second verse of “Three Little Birds” I leave a space for the child’s name. I repeat this verse for each child in my group, giving them each a chance to be the birdie star. The little ones like that part, and their parents dig the fact that they know both songs and can sing along.
Have you ever used these sweet little instruments? I’m thinking another great use for them might be a singable story with designated places for bird chirps…another project to add to the hopper (along with too many others to count).
Rhythm sticks aren’t the most exciting of instruments, but this song makes them a little more fun…don’t you think? My little church mice would agree: they’ve been hammering, sawing, and painting in rhythm to it for the last few weeks.
Charity Kahn and the Jam Band have a pretty great collection of music that gets kids moving, and I’ve used several of their tunes over the last couple of years. Another favorite song is “Your Body’s an Instrument” from their CD, JAM.
Oh, and if you actually do have a treehouse (because most of us do, right?!) and you’re weather is anything like mine today, you better be climbing up into it today. Or maybe you could just take your dog for a walk or do some gardening instead ;) No matter which way you spend this beautiful Sunday, enjoy!
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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