"Ode to Joy" Line 3/ExtraPractice

One more recording, Ensemble Cats -- this audio will help you really focus on the tricky fingering you'll need in measures two and three. Remember -- when you practice you should always work a bit more on those sections that give you the most trouble.

"Ode to Joy" Line 3/measure 4

...and measure four may be the easiest of all.

"Ode to Joy" Line 3/measure 3

Measure three is almost identical to measure two...

"Ode to Joy" Line 3/measure 2

Now try measure number two...

"Ode to Joy" Line 3/measure 1

Here's the first measure...

Recorder Ensemble -- Deconstructing "Ode to Joy"

Hey Ensemble Cats -- you played "Ode to Joy" beautifully yesterday! I'm so excited about how great we're sounding.

Usually it is the third line of "Ode to Joy" that hangs people up, so I want you all the spend a little time working on that. I'm printing both the sheet music for the whole piece and line three by itself. Feel free to print them out.

The best way to learn a tricky piece of music is one measure at a time so that's what we are going to do. I'm posting some audio clips above. Listen to them, follow the instructions and try to play along. And remember -- everything you do to make this piece sound better also makes you a better musician.

Recorder ensemble - Ode to Joy - 2nd line (practice speed)

Here's the second line of "Ode to Joy." Notice that it is almost the same as the first -- and as you will see, it is exactly the same as the last.

Recorder Ensemble - Ode to Joy - 1st line (practice speed)

Ensemble cats -- here's the first line of Ode to Joy for you to practice along with for Friday.

Sample Bourduns in C - Audio

Fifth graders -- here is the audio to match the score posted below.

Fifth Grade Week 7 -- Bourdun

Hi fifth graders -- so sorry to be putting this up late. I had a very busy week!

In week 7 we began to discuss accompanying our compositions, specifically the bass accompaniment. The bass is important as it indicates both the time we are using and what key we are in.

Above are some sample bourduns you can use for your homework this week. I will be posting the audio that matches directly above. Bourduns, as discussed in class, are made up of the first and fifth note of the scale of the key you are in (C and G, D and A and so on). You can borrow one of the rhythm patterns posted above but -- VERY IMPORTANT -- make sure you adjust the pitches to match the home note of your composition.

Homework --since I am late posting this, you can have until Monday to come up with your own bourdun. Remember, it is only one measure long.

"Two Three" by Walt Hampton as performed at Culture Day

Today the Recorder and Orff Ensembles performed this Zimbabwean flavored groove. Thanks Recorder Cats for helping out on shakers. Also nice job by Max Rubin shooting video.

Culture Day/Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule

Hey Ensemble Cats -- as everybody knows this Saturday is Culture Day at Third Street School and the Ensembles have been asked to perform.

There is a rehearsal for both ensembles on Friday morning. Orff people -- this will give you a chance to work with the recorders and set the program. We will be playing:

Two Three
Pentatonic Moon
Zuni Song

This rehearsal is important so, please, everybody be there on time.

On Saturday you call -- that's the time you have to show up -- is 1 PM in the auditorium. We will be performing at approximately 1:25. Please wear a light top and dark pants, unless you are in costume for some other part of the show. Recorder players please bring your recorders. All other instruments will be provided.

See you on Friday, cats! And then on Saturday!

Fifth Grade Week 6 -- Beginning our compositions

This week all fifth graders began their final project -- composing an original piece of instrumental music which can be performed on the Orff Instruments. Perhaps a few of them can even be performed by the Orff ensemble.

We began with everybody developing a 4 measure melodic theme which has the qualities of a good melody -- contour (rising and falling line). repetition and resolution. This year I am allowing students to chose a different home note in the C pentatonic, which should produce some more variety.

Homework -- complete the 4 measures of music -- remember these are due on Friday!