GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Rounds are one of the most enjoyable means of introducing the concept of harmony to children. It is much easier to sing in parts when everyone's part is in fact the same tune. This applies equally to singing and instrumental work.

Most of these rounds fit within the compass of a descant recorder. Furthermore they are written in the simpler keys of C, F and G.

The accompanying cassette contains a recording of each song in the same order as they appear in the book. The songs are sung in unison for one verse, after which. they are sung as full multi-part rounds.

You may listen to the unison part only by turning the balance knob fully to the left.

It is a good idea when teaching any of these rounds to teach the words first. You can make this an enjoyable activity in itself by having the group do the following:

• Only say aloud words beginning with a certain letter eg. p, t, s.
• Only say aloud words at the start or end of a phrase.
• Only say aloud three of four connected words. Each person chooses their own words and says those words in their correct position in the round.
• Only say words aloud when the teacher puts his or her palm up, otherwise continue saying them in time inyour head. The teacher or student can keep the beat on an instrument or with their foot tapping on the floor.

When the rhyme is well and truly learnt, do the following:

• Add dynamics to the text on the board; say it with crescendos or decrescendos over a line, soft (p) and loud (f) markings. Indicate staccato words (.), accented words (>).
• Act out the dynamic markings with appropriate movements or gestures whilst saying the rhyme out aloud or in your heads to a given beat.
• Divide into 2 or more groups and say, act-out, or say and act-out the rhyme as a round either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 beats or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 bars apart.

FURTHER INTRODUCTORY EXERCISES

Given that the tunes are notated for the most part using half, quarter and eighth notes, it is important to utilise these simpler rhythms to improve the children's rhythm reading skills.

• Begin by clapping the rhythm of the tune. The children need not read a note of rhythm in order to do this, since they know its spoken rhythm.
• To differentiate note values, have them clap only quarter notes (Ta's), eighth notes (TiTi's) or half notes (Two's) whilst they say the rest in their heads. Alternatively have them say out aloud words which fall on a Ta, or Titi, etc., divide the class and have one half only saying Two minim words whilst the other half say only Titi words.
• Where possible, have the class clap the rhythm backwards, from the end of the piece to the beginning, just to check whether they are reading or simply mimicking.
• Have half the class clap the piece forwards whilst half clap it backwards. Ignore ties when reading in reverse. Alternatively read it backwards beginning at the end of the first line, followed by the second line, etc.

Wherever possible play the pieces on recorder, both in unison and as a round. Experiment with parts for tuned and untuned percussion instruments, guitars, autoharps, keyboards etc. to accompany your own performance. Most importantly, have some fun with these rounds. After all, the lyrics are not altogether serious, neither should their performance be deadly serious - as I say to my students, you've got to be a bit crazy in order to be a good music teacher.

"Hickety Pickety" is a collection of fun, fresh rounds for children which converts the unenthusiastic singers in one sitting!!! Suitable for classroom music sessions, assemblies or the school choir, "Hickety Pickety" has secured a place in my collection of "must have" music books.

Children find the songs easy to learn, catchy and most importantly, really fun to sing. The repertoire introduces children to the concept of harmony, and in no time at all they are able to perform songs in two or more parts. Peter Butler has written the songs in the keys of C, F, and G so that they fall within the range of the descant recorder and are simpler for adding other tuned percussion parts.

The booklet comes with a tape full of catchy accompaniments. Songs like Charlie Chaplin and Uk Alele are definite favourites, however, I tend to only use the tape when I need a break from singing or as a treat for the kids. I usually sing the songs through unaccompanied so that the children's voices are not drowned out, as often happens with tapes, and the kids can listen to and enjoy the sound they are making! The children love the words in "Hickety Pickety", the melodies and the sound that they produce, making the whole singing experience a very positive one. Thanks Peter!!!!!