Songs and Music

Each track has been purposely created to sound very different: different styles, tempos, rhythms, instruments, melodic structure and vocal arrangements. However some elements I used frequently: catchy melodies, repetition, hand claps, and particular percussion to represent a particular action i.e. “Clap your Hands”, “Wiggle and a Jiggle” & “Clip Clop Song”. 

I have kept song structures simple because the songs are for little children and for them to be able to remember the melodies and words easily.  There is a lot of repetition, simple 4/4 beats, speaking slowly, keeping harmonies close to the lead vocal so as not to distract them and simple verse chorus structures.   

I enjoyed using harmonies to build up some tracks including “Sunshine Song” (sparse verses and full chorus), “Shake Your Eggs”, “Wiggle and a Jiggle” and “Colours”. 

The format of the CD is such that the first half is more percussive and rhythmic and therefore hypnotic which appeals to very young children. The second half is more musical as it uses more instruments, harmonies and vocal arrangements. 

“Sleeping Stones” is a musical story to encourage listening skills, starting with the children being very quiet and still to total organised chaos and back to still again!  “Round and Round” the instrumental was created for excited little tots to help them calm down at the end of the session. 

It was a real pleasure to work with Rachael, Kate, my daughter Natalie and her friend Madison and although most of it was arranged and created by myself we had some fantastic organic moments jamming in the studio, when ideas flowed from everyone, especially Kate’s piano at the end of “Colours”. 

These tracks are for you to dip in and out of, please look and see what gets the best reactions - look for those magic moments - I hope you use my ideas as a starting point, develop them and eventually use them in your own way. *

* Developing the CD 

I recommend props used with supervision for young children 

• Ideally the groups start off sitting down in a circle, eventually standing up and using all their body as in time they will become familiar with my songs and actions. “Clap Your Hands” is a typical example, the exception is “Round and Round” when the children start off standing in the circle, although everything is optional.
• Children could choose which animal to be in the “Clip Clop Song” and whether to sit and clap, play percussion or move.
• When playing “Colours” “Clip Clop Song” and “Sunshine” to the very young, it would be better to start off sitting on the floor looking at pictures from the bag to identify the words in the songs while the children sing along. Eventually they may want to choose their own props to move around the space or dance with, rather than sitting in a circle, once they are familiar and confident with the songs.
• When ready you could vary the options when using pictures or let the children choose different animals in “The Clip Clop Song”.
• Once the children are familiar with the words and actions of “The Clip Clop Song” “Colours” and “Sunshine”, a further development could be making a story about the song i.e. individuals choosing if they want to be the sun, a tree, a flower or a bird visiting a flower, as the song progresses.
• Another interesting development once the children become familiar with a song, is using the movements from “Round and Round” to an instrumental of your choosing, singing along optional. The same applies to the “Clip Clop Song” – if children choose the animals, you wouldn’t need my track as a guide anymore!
• In time the children may want to choose what number to count to in the “Sleeping Stones” story so as a result you may not need my narrative as you may want to go at your own pace.  You could even use different music i.e. the “Round and Round Instrumental” at the end (pausing the music to count, like musical statues).
• The final track is “Round and Round Instrumental” for a calming down period at the end of the session, of course you might want to use this track at bedtime or they might love to dance and move with scarves or ribbons, or, as mentioned this track would be perfect for your “Sleeping Stones” story!
• Ultimately you may not need to use certain intros or even the “What’s in Lindy’s Bag” song, because you may want to run your session in your own way and at your own pace, choosing your own order of songs – the result - your own Bag and workshop!