Music Workshop - Jump into January with Joy! Tuesday, December 29, 11:00 AM EST. This 1.5 hour workshop will be recorded for all registered participants. Registration fee: $5.00. Let's play our way joyfully into 2021! https://forms.gle/mdhKtnx76dfv7A1FA
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Mabel Mabel Set the Table Game
Mabel, Mabel Set the Table
I always loved this jump rope rhyme but decided it was time to give it a bit of a twist. I posted a video on facebook @o for tuna orff just moments ago with ways to play the game but you will get the idea from the pictures below. If you would like this as a pdf please email me at musicquilt@hotmail.com and I am happy to share.
If you enjoy these materials, consider buying me a cup of coffee!
Enjoy!
Friday, November 13, 2020
Diwali
Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year for Hindu people. Diwali or Divali comes from Deepavali, a Sanskrit word meaning "row of lamps." Small clay lamps filled with oil are lit, signifying the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, hope over despair. The lamps remain lit throughout the night and homes cleaned to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. Noisy firecracker sounds scare away evil spirits. Everyone wears new clothes and share sweets and treats with family and friends.
This music I play as students enter the room and I engage the students with a movement and body percussion copycat game. Some of the movements prepare students for the Dandiya stick dance we will perform later in the class.
Then this video filmed just this spring during Covid times (April 2020) with Anoushka Shankar and several students of her father, Ravi Shankar, famed sitar player.
Then I share the refrain of this song, "Diwali" from Manju Durairaj. Manju was born and raised in India. She is an Orff educator, Seesaw guru, and loves to share her culture and music. I read the book Diwali, below, inserting the refrain every 2 pages.
Then it's time to show some excerpts of Indian Garba and Dandiya dances. These are some videos I have used before:
Level 1 Dandiya Dance
I have a very sweet Mom at school who has been an enormous help in teaching me and helping me develop Dandiya dances for students. So very fortunate to have a culture bearer who loves to help others learn! Thanks to Mrs. Shah for this lovely (and accessible) dance!
A Section (refrain of song): Half note pulse - Clap R, Clap L, Clap both, Clap both. In non-Covid times I would teach it first with clapping a partner but with social distancing we modify it to clap own hands on the right side of our bodies, clap own hands on the left side of our bodies, and clap our hands twice in the middle.
B Section: Half note pulse - Step one foot forward, tap sticks overhead at the same time. Step same foot backward, tap sticks behind backs at the same time. Repeat.
The Dandiya sticks are passed out (I have some a parent brought from India and they are amazing - the kids LOVE them) although I have made them in the past using ribbons and dowels and they work great- rhythm sticks also work well. We perform with the sticks and the "Diwali" song from Manju above.
Level 2 Dandiya Dance
A Section: Same as above but face partners and the Clap R and Clap L become tap R stick with partner, tap L stick with partner, tap own, tap own.
B Section: Same as above but turn in place at same time.
Level 3 Dandiya Dance
A Section: Same as Level 2 - tap R stick with partner, tap L stick with partner, both sticks "windshield wiper" to the R (tap partners sticks; this will make a # sign), both sticks "windshield wiper" to the L (tap partners sticks; this will make the opposite # sign).
B Section: Same as above, turn in place one direction for 1st phrase, opposite direction for 2nd phrase.
and we learn a very basic Dandiya dance!
You can also find a lesson from Teaching with Orff featuring a Diwali Dance from Manju here.
If you have time, students would love making these diyas from The Joy of Sharing.
Hope you enjoy!
Friday, October 30, 2020
Checking In, Checking Up
My daughter, Caiya, is about to turn 13. With that is all the expected eye rolling, sarcasm dripping from the tongue, and the need for independence. She is an awesome kid- funny, incredibly artistic, and still loves hugs and talks with Mom. She loves to be around us (yay) and is very sweet and tender-hearted, all of which I am incredibly grateful for. Here is some of her amazing art:
Thursday, October 22, 2020
in the Hall of the Mountain King Part 3
The saga continues.. Peer in the castle, Troll King nearing...
This piece of music will forever be my favorite for this time of year!
I published Part 1 of this in early October 207 - check out Part 1 of In the Hall of the Mountain King here.
Then Part 2 was published a short while later - check out Part 2 of In the Hall of the Mountain King here!
Today, a few MORE ideas for you!
Body Percussion with Sevens!
Did you know you can play the hand game, Sevens, along with In the Hall of the Mountain King? This is SO much fun! The game is from my Hands to Hands, Too Book:
Need a more visual demonstration of how to play the game? Here you go!
Movement/Body Percussion/Instruments with In the Hall of the Mountain King from Musication
Perfect for these times of not sharing instruments- this one is SO fun to add lots of various movement and/or instrument sounds from Music Packs!
Super fun! Enjoy!!


