The Museum of Amazing Musical Instruments

 

Introduction

Mat the Hat is well know to our schools for his lively and engaging Big Drum Adventure that he has delivered with many of our pupils. Each week Mat has a special feature called the Museum of Amazing Musical Minstruments.

 

Mat introduces items from his own personal museum, a collection of amazing sounds and unusual ways to create music that he has built up on his travels around the world. So prepare yourself to step into the Museum, to be astounded by the marvelous, magnificent and mysterious musical Minstruments from as far away as Africa, South America and the Himalayas.

And if you’re wanting to do an activity whilst you’re visiting the museum, there’s an accompanying pdf with a quiz for each minstrument and web links to explore.

 

 

There are three instruments on out blog pages,

The Udu,  a clay pot which makes some amazing sounds.

The Yantra made from a  steel drum

The Berimbau, a stringed instrument


 

Link

 

To see what the Big Drum Adventure is all about have a look at Mat’s website.

http://wherestheone.co.uk/big-drum-adventure.html

 


Learning ResourcesWhat Can I do Graphic

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

 

Show us the Rhythm!

Scrape, Tap, Shake and Ting

In this lesson we are going to learn to use the instruments we made in our last video.  We will use them with simple rhythm cards to introduce graphic notation, which is the first step to learning to read music.

The symbols are:  

 

 

 

In the videos Mrs Borthwick will  show you how to use the cards and try to play the sounds in orders. If you missed it you can watch how to make the instruments in the blog post here.

Part 1.  This video allows you to practise reading all the cards for each instrument one after another. You can try to make your own card with more variations and play them together.

Part 2 . If you have two players, this video shows how to mix up the cards using all four sounds.  You can share out the instruments so that between you all the sounds can be played without stopping

Part 3. Now we will try a series of cards working as a pair or in a bigger group with all 4 sounds.  Once you can play these cards confidently then use the different ones you have made at home.

Part 4. This video is much more challenging.    Each card uses a mixture of two or more sounds.  Again, once you have practised these examples you can create and compose your own rhythms.

Finally you can try creating your own grid with four lines of rhythm to play together and perform. We have an example of one here.

 

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Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

      • Save Target As’ (PC)
      • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

     

Scrape, Tap, Shake and Ting Project Guide

Rhythm Symbols

Rhythm Grid

 

Make Your Own Percussion Instrument

Introduction

Mrs Borthwick shows us how to make simple instruments,  using objects you can find at home. We will use them in our next lesson Scrape, Tap, Shake and Ting to teach us about rhythm. The four videos show you how to make each instrument and introduce use the rhythm cards.  

You will need to collect a few things to make your instruments. Don’t forget to ask that you can have or borrow the items before you take them and ask for help if you need it.

 

The Shaker 

A small tub or box. We made our shaker from an empty container that was made for spices or gravy granules but you can use any thing you have to hand, such as a small milk bottle or tin.

Dry pasta. You can also try rice and dry peas for a different sound.

Pens, paint or stickers to decorate your shaker. Some sellotape to hold on the lid.

 

The Triangle

Some metal you can tap together. A metal spoon and ladle are ideal.

A piece of string or wool.

 

The Guiro

A plastic bottle, one with ribs on the side to scrape along and a stick or pen. to make the sound.  You can decorate Guiro in any way you like with some stickers, buttons, sequins  pens or  glued on paper.  Watch the video to see what we made!

 

The Claves

Two wooden spoons, two sticks or small pebbles. You could also try plastic pipe or pens but claves are normally made from wood.

 


Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

 

Wild Mountain Thyme

Introduction

Today’s Weekly Lesson from Mrs Rowan and Mrs Borthwick teaches us the Scottish folk song, Wild Mountain Thyme.  It is lesson 5 for P3.

 Fascinating Facts

Wild Mountain Thyme is a folk song from both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its story goes way back to the 1700’s, and it has been written and re-written by many people, and inspired by many songs along the way.

The first we know of, was from Scottish poet Robert Tannahill who adapted the words from an older song around 1796.

The song is also known as ‘Will ye go lassie go’ and is named after a lovely plant with pink flowers which grows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Scotland, most of Europe and North Africa. It is also called  ‘purple heather’ and is part of the mint family.

Warm Up 

We will start by preparing to sing, with our fun Voice Warm song. Practice these a few times until you know them well and your voice will be ready for singing.

 

This weeks ​Song 

Now lets sing this weeks song – Wild Mountain Thyme. First, learn the song you can use the word sheet to help you.

Then once you know it – you can make a shaker out of a jar and some dry rice or pasta, and then practice playing and singing at the same time! In one of our other videos Mrs Borthwick shows you how to make a shaker and you can read all about it in  Scrape, Tap,  Shake and Ting.

 

Have a go at this weeks quiz. You can email your teacher or us at YMI your answers.

Quiz – Wild Mountain Thyme

 

Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

    • Save Target As’ (PC)
    • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

 

 

 

 

You can find out more about poet Robert Tannerhill and his place in Scottish literary history in the Robert Tannerhill  Federation website.

 

On our Song Sheets Resource Page you can find word for all the other songs in our Blog posts. 

 

Zum Zum Zum

Introduction

Today’s Weekly Lesson from Mrs Rowan and Mrs Borthwick teaches us the Brazilian Capoeira song Zum Zum Zum.  It is lesson 7 for P3 to P7 classes.

 Fascinating Facts

Capoeira, is an amazing martial art from Brazil – there is nothing quite like it!

It’s a mix of amazing acrobatics, graceful dance and rhythmic music. Originally it was practiced by slaves brought from Africa to Brazil. The African slaves disguised it as a dance by putting music to it and making it non-contact. But when slave masters discovered it was a powerful martial art, they banned it. Fortunately, it survived and is hugely popular today. It is said that some of hip hop’s dance moves originally came from Capoeira moves!

Capoeira’s musical instrument are the Berimbau; a unique instrument made from a hollowed-out calabash fruit, a bent wooden pole, some wire, a stick and a stone.

The Caxixi : say‘Ca shi shi’; is a shaker made from basket, leather and with dried beans inside.  If you have had YMI lessons with Mat the Hat and his Big Drum Adventure you would have used a Caxixi

The Pander, which is similar to a tambourine and a Atabaque Drum

You can watch a group of Capoeira dancers and these instruments being played in this video on YouTube. 

 

Warm Up 

We will start by preparing to sing, with our fun Voice Warm song. Practice these a few times until you know them well and your voice will be ready for singing.

 

 

This weeks ​Song 

Now lets sing this weeks song – Zum Zum Zum

 

You can have a go at this week quiz. You can email your teacher or us at YMI your answers.

Quiz – Zum Zum Zum…..

 

Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

 

On our Song Sheets Resource Page you can find word for all the other songs in our Blog posts. 

 

Chumbara. Using cups for Percussion.

Introduction

Today’s Weekly Lesson from Mrs Rowan and Mrs Borthwick teaches us the song folk song Chumbara. It is Lesson 6 for P3 to P7 classes.

Warm Up 

We will start by preparing to sing, with our fun Voice Warm song. Practice these a few times until you know them well and your voice will be ready for singing.


 

This weeks ​Song 

Now lets sing this weeks  Song – its a song using cups for percussion, called Chumbara.

First, you will need two plastic cups and a table – we are going to do some fun percussion with them!

Once you have practiced a few times and know it, if you have brothers or sisters, (age 7 or above) see if you can show them how to do it!

 

 

 

Chumbara Backing Track with Vocals

Chumbara Backing Track

Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File As’ (Apple)
Answers for last weeks questionnaire

 

On our Song Sheets Resource Page you can find word for all the other songs in our Blog posts. 

 

Boa Constrictor for P1- P3

Introduction

Today’s Weekly Lesson from Mrs Rowan and Mrs Borthwick is all about a Boa Constrictor snake. It is Lesson 5 for P1 to P3 classes.

Warm Up 

Lets start by preparing to sing, with our new fun Voice Warm song,

Bzz, Bzz Bzz.

 

 

This weeks ​Song 

Now lets sing this weeks  Song – its a fun action song called Boa Constrictor!

1.       Learn the song and actions with the video

2.      Try singing the song with actions to the Backing Track – with Vocal

3.     Try singing the song with actions to the Backing Track which has no voice  just sing it yourself to the track. Enjoy!

Learning Resources

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

Boa Constrictor Song Words

On our Song Sheets Resource Page you can find word for all the other songs in our Blog posts. 

 

 

Music for Enhanced Provision Units

Introduction

The YMI team have worked with pupils in our Enhanced Provision units for many years, as part of the Borders Youth Music Initiative funded programme. Since the lockdown the tutors have been producing video recordings of themselves singing and playing some of the pupils favourites songs.

We have added all of them to our GLOW Making Music Team for teachers to download and play at the hubs.  We have also also put them onto our YMI Borders YouTube channel.

Videos 

We have posted here a few of the videos Mr Lowthian and Mr Jacobs have made. To see lots more ask the teachers to share the videos from our Making Music Team on Glow or if you want to watch at home head over to our Playlist on the YMI YouTube Channel. The link is at the bottom of this post.

Words

We have song sheets that can be printed off for most of the songs.

To view the words online just click on the link. To download the files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

Hello Song

There Was An Old Woman

You can download the words for all the songs in our posts on the following Learning Resource page.

Links

This the link to the Enhanced Provision Playlist so you can watch more at home.

You can subscribe to our YMI Borders YouTube Channel where we have playlists and learning videos from all the tutors.

For teachers and support staff you can access our GLOW Making Music resource pages. If you are not already member of the Team you can request access.

 

Teddy Bear Rock for P1 and P2


Introduction

Today’s Weekly Lesson is all about Teddy Bears. Can you learn the song and then draw your own cuddly bear?

Warm Up 

Lets start by preparing to sing, with our fun Voice Warm Up from last week – ‘Sh Sh Sh’…

 

*Once you know it, practice it twice

This weeks ​Song – its called Teddy Bear Rock!

  1.  Learn the song and actions with the video.

You can download the words to the songs by using this link.   Teddy Bear Rock words

 

  1.  Try singing the song with the actions to our Backing Track – with Voice

 

  1.  Try singing the song with at the actions to the Backing Track – with No Voice – and just sing it yourself.

Now lets draw a picture!

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • Save Target As’ (PC)
  • ‘Download Linked File’ (Mac

Draw a Teddy Bear

Good Luck and have fun!

Learning Resources

 

Teddy Bear Rock words

Here is the well known song The Bear Went over the Mountain on TopMarks.

 

 

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