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It’s the best step I ever took to further my music

Christopher
Tuba, Junior Guildhall

Christopher
It hugely inspires my playing...I come away enlightened each Saturday

Didier
Violin, Junior Guildhall

Didier
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Richard, Rebekah & Peter
Percussion, Junior Guildhall

Richard, Rebekah & Peter
Home > Youth & Adult Learning > Music Education Islington > Short online courses > Key Stage 2 > Singing and Body Percussion

Singing and Body Percussion

In this series we are going to be looking at 4 contrasting songs, learning the words and the melodies and a little about the context of the music itself, and then combining the music with some body percussion throughout. The aim will to be to perform these songs back to back as a group. Each song in the series will become a little more challenging, and we have done our best to select four songs which are all very different, so we hope there is something in there for everyone!

Week 1

We Will Rock You - Queen 
Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ is an all time rock classic and a great way to start our course. This song is very unique because it requires no musical accompaniment at all. It is more of a war cry than a song in the traditional respect. For songs which have no musical accompaniment we give the name A Capella, voices alone. The song’s most iconic feature is its ferocious opening drum beat, making it the best possible way to get your body percussion beats going! Make some noise!

Week 2

Clash and Bang - Talvin Singh 
‘Clash and Bang’ is a Jazz-style song by the Indian Musician Talvin Singh. It is a bit quicker in tempo to We Will Rock You but it starts with a similar beat. Be prepared for a much trickier encounter with rhythm and vocals in this one! Short sharp phrases and simple beats at the start of the song are soon traded-in for some pretty complex rhythms and melody lines (and a few tongue twisters), and best of all, the song itself is all about Jazz!

Week 3

Theme from Arthur - Ziggy Marley
Some of you may know this song which is the theme tune for the children’s series ‘Arthur'. The song is by Ziggy Marley, the son of Bob Marley, the greatest Jamaican musician of all time. It has a laid back and easy style, characteristic of Jamaican music and culture. It also has a really positive message of harmony, peace and getting along with each other. It's a nice break from the norm with its Reggae style, so there are some good cross rhythms for the body percussion and its a happy tune to sing. Lots to be enjoyed!