You’d think that by this point in April, I’d have already enjoyed quite a few sunny days here in central Illinois…but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. Although we’ve been spared the terrible storms and tornadoes that have devastated many other states, this spring will NOT go down in my book as a pleasant one, weather-wise.
But I’m hopeful that will change as we approach May, and this morning’s sunny sky is a good sign. It comes at an especially good time, because my family is weathering some cloudy skies as we prepare to say goodbye to my husband’s grandmother, who suffered a stroke last week and is now in hospice. But we’re thankful for her long, happy life (she’s 92) and all that she did for her family — especially my husband, to whom she was especially close.
Sunny days are a nice reminder of all the good things to come, like summer vacation, my birthday, weddings, and lazy days by the pool (though I don’t get as many of those as I used to). Just a little over a month until I get to enjoy all four!
Sunny days also give my students and I an opportunity to sing the “Sunny Day” weather song! Since it hasn’t happened often so far this year, we make the most out of every chance we get to do so. Today is one of those days:
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!
The air is warm, and the sky is blue.
A beautiful day for me and you.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!
I hope your Friday is shaping up to be as beautiful as mine promises to be. Thank you so much for sharing part of it with me!
When I was little, I’d sit in front of the TV on Saturday mornings just waiting for the music video of Kermit the Frog singing “The Rainbow Connection” to come on. From the first time I heard it, that song had a special place in my heart…and it still does.
“The Rainbow Connection” can be heard frequently inside the Music Therapy Connections studio, because I assign it to many of my beginning voice students. One such student is Grace, who did an absolutely beautiful job with this song. Although she’s only 10 years old, she could fool you with her big voice:
Another version I have absolutely fallen in love with is by jazz singer Jane Monheit, which you can listen to here. (Actually, she could record herself singing the phonebook and I’d buy it.)
Are you a fan of this song, too? I know I wasn’t the only little girl singing along with Kermit at the top of my lungs way back when…
I have a piano student who would like nothing more than to dive right into each piece, skipping all the intermediate steps and playing both hands together the first time he lays eyes on it. This, of course, causes lots of frustration for him (and me).
“Slow and steady” is a term I’m always using with him, and it applies to many of my other students, as well. Piano pieces aren’t mastered in a day, nor are music therapy goals achieved in a single session.
This song is one I wrote specifically for tone blocks, but my intention is that while my kiddos sing and play along, they are also internalizing the value of going “slow and steady” across settings and situations.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
Ring-a-ding-ding. Ring-a-ding-ding.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
Ring-a-ding-ding. Ring-a-ding-ding.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
La-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
La-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling. Ting-a-ling-a-ling.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling. Ting-a-ling-a-ling.
I’m sure you recognized the piggybacked tune, which has quite a calming effect on especially energetic groups (like my Church Mice). I also adapted this song for drums, changing the word sounds to “rum-pum-pum, pum”, “thump, thump, thump”, and “boom, boom, boom”.
As much as I love an upbeat song — and that is apparent if you go through my song collection — it’s always nice to take a breather. What are your favorite “slow and steady” tunes?
Happy Easter! After singing with my church choir in two services this morning, I’m looking forward to relaxing with my family and enjoying some yummy food. Maybe we’ll even dye some Easter eggs — I’m feeling inspired by this song!
I’m keeping this short today, because I know that many of us have plans on this special day that don’t involve reading blog posts :) Whatever those plans may be, have a wonderful holiday (or just a wonderful Sunday, if you don’t celebrate Easter).
This little church mouse sure can. Shakers are an integral part of my instrument collection because not only do they sound great, but they are colorful and easy to play. I often incorporate them into the songs I write — particularly those targeting movements and following directions — for those same reasons.
“Surely You Can Shake It” is new to the Listen & Learn collection. The song combines several goals, including shaking up high, down low, slowly, and quickly.
Surely you can shake it down low,
And surely you can shake it up high.
Surely you can shake it ‘round and ‘round,
But can you make that shakin’ sound?
Surely you can shake it down low,
And surely you can shake it up high.
Surely you can shake it ‘round and ‘round,
And you can make that shakin’ sound!
It’s fun to hear my students make (or at least, attempt to make) the “ch” sound along with me. An easy way to target other speech sounds would be to change “ch” to “shh”, “sss” or just about any other syllable. If you haven’t already noticed, I’m a big fan of using a single song to address multiple goals!
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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