Families of Instruments!

There are 4 families of instruments in the orchestra.  We have learned about each family and the characteristics they share.  Starting with the String family, then the Woodwind, Brass and finishing with our favorite, the Percussion family!  It has been very exciting learning, seeing and hearing each of these instruments.  The fabulous website is sfskids.org   There are so many cool things to do!  San Francisco Symphony for kids  check it out!!!

Glockenspiel Instruments

Glockenspiel instruments are small metal barred instruments that are played with a mallet.  The instruments have a bell sound when tapped gently.  The first graders started these instruments in November and the kindergartners are learning to play in January. 

Music Without Instruments!

Vocal Sound effects!How can we make music without instruments?  What about our mouths?   Different sounds with our voices – not only singing, but other sounds?  We had a great time making different sounds and putting them all together.  How creative!!!

Typewriter mania!!

Typewriter…..what’s that?  The students at William O. Schaefer can not only identify, but play a musical piece on a “typewriter” -  finger or hand drums!!  First, we listened to the Typewriter Song by Leroy Anderson and tapped on the drums – tapping to the beat.   The real fun happened when we watched Jerry Lewis on video playing his “typewriter”Jerry Lewis – The Typewriter Song!  (Another new idea…..Jerry Lewis!)  We had a great time and the students did a great job of listening, feeling and playing the music!!

Making Music

Listen to the great music we made today using  a powerful online audio editor called Myna. Whether you are new to audio editing or a professional you can get started right away on Aviary.com.

Enrichment Day 3

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom W.O.S. Style

 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom W.O.S. Style tells the story in a unique way.   The library, gym, art room, cafeteria, music room and office all make their way into this fun story.  The kindergartners played non-pitched percussion instruments (finger drums, rhythm sticks and hand drums) throughout the story!  It was great!!

Non Traditional Instruments

First grade students making music with non-traditional instruments.

Sounds with everyday objects

Students watched a clip from “Stomp”  prompting them to  explore the  use of  everyday objects to create sounds. Stomp

 Students chose pots and pans from the kitchen, trash cans, recycling bins, traffic cones, cardboard boxes and plastic containers to create musical sounds.

Jazz Performers

Today the students viewed performances by a few great Jazz performers, such as:  Louie Armstrong, Bojangles Robinson, and Dizzy Gillespie.  Students asked questions of how the performers were able to make the different sounds and music.  One student asked “how Bojangles Robinson was able to make so many different sounds with his feet that sounded like music?”  Another student wanted to know how a young girl of 14 was able to scat, which prompted the discussion of  what scat singing is.  Fourteen year old scat singer

The students’ questions are driving what direction the class will take.

This Jazz Man

All students read This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt. The story presents an introduction to jazz music and nine well-known jazz musicians, set to the rhythm of the traditional song, “This Old Man.” Includes brief facts about each musician.

Louie Armstrong \”West End Blues\”

Bill Bojangles Robinson with Shirley Temple

Dizzy Gillespie \”Night in Tunisia\”