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).
I first had the idea to adapt the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” for instruments a few years back. Originally, it was a song for tambourines or bells, but I re-recorded it this spring as a shakin’ tune.
Each color has its own verse, which means that my students get their moment in the spotlight, shaking one of their colored egg shakers or maracas from my basket (pictured above). Here’s the song:
I like the way you shake your egg, in perfect harmony
You shake it up and shake it down,
For everyone to see.
That’s the song I hear, that wonderful sound,
Shake shake shake shake shake that egg,
Round and round and round.
If you have a blue egg, shake it in the air,
Make some music, nice and loud, play without a care.
That’s the song I hear, that wonderful sound,
Shake shake shake shake shake that egg,
Round and round and round.
{Repeat, using each color}
I’ve been pumping out instrument songs lately, and I still have a couple left to share with you. But I’m planning to write some new songs for summer as soon as I get a free minute or two…which, based on my schedule over the next few weeks, could be July before I get around to it! Thus is the life of a happily busy music therapist/studio teacher :)
I recorded this video on Friday, so my comment about the weather being gorgeous wasn’t a lie! But this weekend has been gross (we’re talking highs in the 50s and rain), so I guess this song isn’t so timely after all.
But the discordant weather does NOT change the fact that summer break is a mere 20 days away, and that there are only 13 actual school days remaining. Not that I’m counting. It’s just that summer is my very favorite season, and there are lots of exciting events happening to kick it off.
One fun pre-summer event is happening today, and that is the baptism of my niece, Maggie. I’m taking a whirlwind roadtrip to St. Louis for this occasion, and then booking it back here for the early childhood music class I teach this afternoon. I’ll be exhausted tonight, but it will be totally worth it.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I hope it’s actually “beginning to look a lot like summer” where you are, or at least a little less cold and soggy than it is here!
With all of the allergens floating through the air and the bipolar weather we’ve been experiencing here in Illinois, I’ve heard a lot of “achoo-ing” going on lately.
So much of it, in fact, that it inspired my latest song. You know how much my students and I love a song that starts out slow and speeds up as it goes along (as evidenced here and here) and that is exactly what my newest song does, too:
When you feel a little tickle in your nose,
Then you know how the next part goes:
You shut your eyes tight,
Cover your face just right,
And then you have to sneeze!
Achoo, achoo!
Excuse me, and bless you!
Achoo, achoo!
I sneezed, and you did, too!
{Repeat, speeding up each time}
Even some of my not-so-verbal students are saying “achoo!” right along with me, and it’s so much fun to hear them keep up with me as the song speeds up. I’ve been having them play egg shakers and chiquitas, since the “ch” sound they make fits perfectly.
Oh, and speaking of songs about sneezing, please check out the song “Spring Fever” by Mr. Heath. It’s a staple at our annual spring singalongs. Do you know any other tunes that celebrate the joy (ha!) of spring allergies?
Those are the 3 R’s, right? :) Well they are today here at Listen & Learn, because my latest song incorporates all three. I know what you’re thinking: Rachel and rap don’t sound like a very likely combination. But I have a very healthy respect for most genres, including this one.
In fact, I was completely inspired after my husband showed me this incredible video. Watch it and then try telling me you don’t have even the slightest itch to try it for yourself! Anyway, here’s my lame attempt at rapping:
Repeat, repeat, repeat after me.
As we play our sticks.
Repeat, repeat, repeat after me.
The rhythm goes like this.
Rachel:
Tap, tap, tap. (Your turn!)
Everyone:
Tap, tap, tap.
Repeat, repeat, repeat after me.
As we play our sticks.
Repeat, repeat, repeat after me.
The rhythm goes like this.
{Continue, using different rhythms}
I was explaining my job to some of Zach’s visiting family members yesterday, and one of them jokingly asked, “Is there a such thing as rap therapy?” I had to laugh, because I immediately thought of this song.
By itself, it’s more of a chant than a rap…but I think the beatbox track makes it legit (or as close to legit as I’ll probably ever get). Either way, my kiddos are having fun with the song — not to mention working on important skills like rhythm, imitation, listening, and fine motor movement — which is really all that matters.
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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