Work on Getting a Good Sound on the Recorder?-- Yes, please!

Hi there, students.  We all know that it can be tough to get a sound we really like out of the recorder.  I was actually just trying to make a recording of my playing and decided I could really use some practice getting a good sound myself.  Here is a video I found that is a great refresher for the things we have learned.  I especially like how she explains the kind of "warm" air we should be using to play.

Go ahead and watch!:

7th Grade Homework...

Hello, 7th Grade!

Here are some assignments that are due over the next few days.  Be sure to pay attention to each due date.

Assignment #1 Due Wednesday for 10 points:
Please sing through "Silent Night/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" 3 times.  You can sing along with the recording below.  If it doesn't fit your voice well, speak (rap :)) the lyrics along with the recording or sing the lyrics in a place in your voice that feels right--- we will soon find a key to sing in that will make you all feel happy.
              You also need to listen a 4th time and write the lyrics down on a lined sheet of paper while listening.  You may need to pause or rewind the recording.  This is one of the best ways to memorize lyrics, I have found.  If you need to check in with your printed lyrics that I gave you for a few of the words, that is okay.  Just try to write them down while listening as best you can.
*TURN THIS IN ON WEDNESDAY MORNING--- Someone should put your class's work in the 7th Grade Music Homework Bin on the wall in the jr. high hallway.

Rough Recording (click on the link):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUUZLWTR4US1jY0k/view?usp=sharing


Assignment #2 Due Thursday for 20 points:
Please use your paper keyboard from Ms. Fox or an actual keyboard or piano to practice playing the accompaniment chord symbols like we did during class.  On the sheet Ms. Fox gives you, mark off a practice box each time you do this and complete the 8 boxes.  You can "play" along with the recording below.  Remember, you play the root of the chord in your left hand, and then at least the root along with the third above it (for a harmonic third) in your right hand.  It should go like this:

1                 2                          3                            1                2                             3
Root      Harmonic 3rd      Harmonic 3rd   |  Root       Harmonic 3rd        Harmonic 3rd
(left)      (right)                  (right)                   (left)       (right)                    (right)

For example, for the "A" chord symbol you would play:

            C#        C#
A         A          A            *For each of our chord symbols in this song, the 3rd above will be a sharp (#).
(left)   (right)   (right)     *I like to use my fingers 1 & 3 to play harmonic 3rds, by the way.

Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygMTNISTk1bjJ0ZTg/view?usp=sharing

8th Grade Homework!

8^th Grade Homework—Sections due different days... 

**Each assignment is worth 10 points.  Late assignments will lose 2 points each day.**

1. Due Monday:  Sing through “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" 3 times- try all 3 of the recordings below to see which one, number 1, 2, or 3, feels best for your voice (4 points).

                                    AND, on a piece of lined paper, write the lyrics to the song down as you listen a 4^th time to one of the recordings (6 points).  You may need to pause and/or rewind now and then, and then you will probably need to check in with your lyrics sheet for a couple words.  This is one of the best ways to memorize and really pay attention to a song’s lyrics, I have found.

*TURN THIS IN ON MONDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.  YOU CAN BEGIN WORK THAT IS DUE WEDNESDAY IF YOU ARE ABLE.

Recordings:

#1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygM3hDa1Z4emdPTlU/view?usp=sharing

#2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygckpZSVhsNHpCaWc/view?usp=sharing

#3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygbTBYQUo0NEZEZFU/view?usp=sharing

2. Due Tuesday: Read and sing through “Hallelujah”—You will be singing verses 1, 2, 4, 5…  though for this assignment, feel free to use verse 3 as well.  Please pick a line or two of the lyrics that you really like.  Write me 1 or 2 sentences telling me which lyrics those are and why you like them so much (4 points).  THEN explain to me which part of the song’s melody you really like in 1 or 2 more sentences (4 points).  Do you love the chorus (“Hallelujah”) because of the way the piano sounds under the singing?  Do you enjoy the way the end of each verse builds and builds before singing the chorus?  What do you like about the song?  ALSO, write down which of the “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” recordings feels best in your voice—1, 2, or 3? (2 points).

*TURN THIS IN ON TUESDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

Recording: to be added

3. Due Wednesday:  Use the paper keyboard Ms. Fox gives you or a real keyboard or piano to practice playing the roots of the chord symbols in “Still, Still, Still.”  Play along with the recording below at least 7 times.  Check off a practice box on the paper Ms. Fox gives you each time you do this.   You can always start this over the weekend and check off boxes when you get the paper (10 points).   

*TURN THIS PAPER IN ON WEDNESDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:

The suggested hand position for the first page's chords is called “C POSITION” and is written here:

        C  D E F G           C D  E F G

L.H. 5  4 3 2  1     R.H. 1  2  3 4  5       *You may need to reach out of position to play A.

For the first line of second page, you will shift your hand down to the left for each chord symbol--  The chord symbols here go lower by steps.  Then you should shift back up to C Position for the next line (the first ending; and then for the second ending after you've repeated the song).  There are recordings of the melody listed here as well for those ready to try that.  The hand position options for the melody are listed above the recordings.

Recordings:

1) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygS0dxS3ZLb2pKdzQ/view?usp=sharing
2) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygdnUtb1hVSTRicDQ/view?usp=sharing

Melody:  Possible hand position:     B C D E F           G A B C D

                                                   L.H.5 4  3  2 1   R.H. 1  2  3  4 5 (thumbs are next to each other)

3) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygTnU1S0c1NUpwa2M/view?usp=sharing
4) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygdmVDMmJNOUpiSU0/view?usp=sharingody:

CHOIR HELP IS HERE! :)

Oh there are so many tracks for you, dear choir:

Here is Part I:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUzhBd21ldlNDVk0/view?usp=sharing

Here is Part II:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygeDBqSGRnaGRxYU0/view?usp=sharing

Here are both parts with piano accompaniment:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygLUhFMkVyWWxPWlE/view?usp=sharing

And HERE is a recording INCLUDING Part III (You'll here Part III when it comes in at measure 41):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygOFd6NU1id3ZHRjA/view?usp=sharing

*Don't forget to do your HOMEWORK!  Highlight YOUR part and then turn your black folder in to me by Thursday.  If you are interested in trying Part III, highlight it in a different color.

I am so excited to hear you all sing again next week!
We will now begin each choir practice with reading a very short piece of music to continue to feel comfortable with following different parts.  And then we can do some cool new pieces, too.  But, our Christmas piece is quite important, so for now it takes priority.  The more prepared you are, the more we can do!

Thank you,
Ms. Fox

Help for A Cappella...

Hey, A Cappella Club!

Here is a recording of your harmonies for our latest tune.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygcjJWYmVlV3dZU1E/view?usp=sharing

Have fun!

Here's Some Help for My 5th Graders!

A link to "Bethlehem Skies" for you...

Please use your lyrics, or even listen and write down the words to memorize it really well. :)

Hey, and don't forget to practice recorder.  Let's see what we can really do on those!

Our Choir Members are Learning a Little French

Choir, here are a couple links to help you with Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant.  Remember, we are now only going to use the first 2 verses and the chorus.  Use your sheet from the other day.  You will be so glad we did this-- I promise!