(Click
on the thumbnail to enlarge image. You can also download this piece in PDF
here.)
Ideas for teaching:
You might focus on the phrase structure, the shifts between major and
minor tonalities (are we happy to be going back to school, or not?), or the rhythmic patterns.
- As a choreographic study, small groups may take sections (8 measures,
perhaps) and create choreography; then each group teaches the others
their ideas to complete the piece.
- Another approach: identify specific rhythmic patterns in the melody
and help students create movements for each, then link them to
perform the piece. Discover how the articulation within the piece alters
the movement, in the groupings of eighth notes, for example.
- Distribute different percussion instruments among the class, and
assign one instrument for each rhythmic pattern. Then perform the piece.
(For example, tambourine for the first measure's rhythm, shaker for
steady eighth notes, claves for the short anapestic patterns, etc.)
- Try applying words to each pattern, and perform it through verbally.
The class could create them, or you might use something like this:
