by Jon Madin

Introduction Contents Review

Introduction Marimba Music for Little Kids is a collection of songs with simple tuned percussion parts associated with them. For the youngest children - 5-6 year olds - the songs involve lots of actions and only a few specific notes. If the children don't always find the 'correct' note it doesn't matter all that much. Several of the songs require alphabet echoes or answers. E.G., I wanna CCC-ee is followed by the children playing three Cs. Ostinatos, scale passages and repeated patterns are featured often. The children can then memorise the music and give more attention to musicianship, singing and fun. For each song there is a suggested age suitability. I often depart from these guidelines. Older children are happy to play simple pieces some of the time, especially if there is a fun element to it. Conversely, younger children may be ready for the challenge of a harder piece. Modify the speed of the teaching process accordingly. When playing pieces like Monday's Child or Scooby Dooby Doo, use minimal accompaniment when the children are actually singing. Massed tuned and untuned percussion playing overpowers the children's singing. I like to give them turns at being the accompanists - maybe 4 - 6 children at one time -interspersed with instrumental sections when everyone plays together. Simple arranging can make a big difference in the presentation of these pieces. Click Sticks, for example, be arranged: Ostinato 2 Add ostinato 1 Add bass and untuned percussion Just chant and bass Everything together Just the drums Add ostinato 1 Add osti nato 2 Everything together 2x 2x 2x 2x 2X 1x 1x 1x 2x

Contents Teaching Hints Can You Click Your Tongue? Monday's Child The Cabbage Cafe Scooby Dooby Doo The Annual Thing Pudding on the Hill Hippopotamus Jump Down Turn Around I Shortnin' Bread I Wanna CCC Click Sticks Click and Spin The White Flower If You're Happy and You Know It Gina 99 O'clock I Wonder Zena and Zac Antigravity Other books by Jon Madin

Brief Review by Barb Shearer, President VOSA 2000

Approach:	Level:	Type:
Instrumental/Orff	Primary	Book + CD