Basic | Parents & Teachers

*Music and Movement

Music inspires people in many ways. Sometimes, the music you listen to creates a mood or feeling, and music sometimes makes us want to move, whether by tapping a toe, moving a hand up and down, banging a fist, or just swaying to the beat. Some music, such as samba or salsa or music from Africa, has an insistent beat that is infectious. Classical music is infectious too, inspiring the gentle movements of ballet, the twirling whirling to a lively rondo or the repetitive "one-two-three" rhythm of a waltz.

Change the Words. Change the Music.

Choose a favorite song – one that everyone knows the words to, such as a nursery rhyme. All participants sing the song together to start the activity. Then, someone sings the song with a different melody, and then the group sings it with the new melody. Next, someone sings the original melody, but with different words, and the groups sings it with the different words. Repeat, if desired, with a different song.

Give Yourself a Musical Signature (Leitmotif)

Each person thinks of a way to say his or her name with a short melody or rhythm, not words. It can be one note, two, or even five or eight notes. The only limitation is that it should be easy for others to repeat and remember. Each person should invent a musical signature using his or her voice, humming, whistling, or a musical instrument. If desired, each person can also attach a hand signal to the musical signature. (This is a good way to include children who are hearing-impaired.)