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All About The Jaw Harp

lots of jaw harpsHave you ever wondered about that instrument that goes: “boing… boing… boing?”?

The jaw harp looks like a very simple instrument, but it has quite a long and interesting history dating back at least the fourth century BC where it appears as a musical instrument in a Chinese drawing.  It can be found throughout Asia and in various cultures around the world and has a host of different names including mouth harp, Ozark harp, juice harp, jew’s harp, trump, drymba, doromb, khomus, kubyz and quote a few more that vary according to the culture and type of music where it is being played.

jaw harpLots of people wonder if the jaw harp is related to Jewish culture since it is sometimes called a jew’s harp?  Most historians think the phrase “jew’s harp” is a mistaken pronunciation of one of the instrument’s popular names because it is not found within Jewish folk music or Semetic cultures at all.  Although it’s not a part of Jewish traditions, it is frequently used in shamanic music and ritual practice.   The droning sound of the instrument can create a trance-like state and is widely used in regions of Asia in this manner.

Check out the wide variety of jaw harps seen above from the official Jew’s Harp Guild website (photo used by permission).

HOW TO PLAY A JAW HARP

A jaw harp consists of two parts.  There’s a frame held inside the mouth and a “tongue” piece that is plucked outside the mouth by the musician’s finger.  Although this might sound easy, there are many techniques used in playing the instrument and some require a good deal of practice to master.

Here’s a few hints that can help the new jaw harp player:

When putting the harp in your mouth the upper and lower lips should rest on the top and bottom of the frame, the front teeth must be slightly apart.

Try plucking the harp by pushing or pulling.  While the “tongue piece” is in motion, silently pronounce “A-E-I-O-U”. This shows you how to create different sounds by changing the size of your mouth cavity.

Breathing in different ways and moving your tongue slightly also changes the sounds created by the jaw harp.  Experimenting with this will allow you to find different ways to create your own music on this unique instrument.

What does a jaw harp sound like?   Check out these three very different examples of jaw harp music from Mongolia, India and Hungary.

JAW HARP VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESOURCES

The photo of jaw harps seen above is used by permission from the Jew’s Harp Guild who also publish an excellent step-by-step player’s guide as well as tips for advanced players.  Check out their wonderful resource-rich site here:
www.jewsharpguild.org/

Discover unique instruments and musical crafts from all over the world at the Online Music Museum: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TOfuFNZ3NpsW8fSOSanaw

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Playing River Rocks As An Instrument – Hawaiian `ili`ile

Almost anything can become an instrument – right?  Even rocks and stones can find their own special way to sing.

In Hawaii and the surrounding region, there’s a special kind of hula, called hula ‘ili’ili, that’s done with the dancer tapping smooth river stones together as part of the rhythm and the dance.

What is hula?  Hula is a rich and beautiful tradition from Hawaii that actually originated with the Polynesian people who first settled in this region.  Hula can be done sitting or standing and can be accompanied by chants or song.  And it incorporates many unique and wonderfully simple instruments – such as pu’ili (bamboo sticks cut to sound as rattles) or ‘ili’ili, smooth stones held in the hand in a manner similar to castanets.  You can read more about pu’ili in the posts below.  Here’s more about the river rocks.

‘Ili’ili are two smooth stones, approximately the same size, that are held in a dancer’s hand.  The hand movements tap the stones together for the percussion sound and that becomes part of the overall arm movements incorporated into the dance.  If that sounds too complicated, here’s a short video by Kuma (Kuma is a respectful title meaning teacher or source of knowledge) Rachel that shows how to master the basics of playing ‘ili’ili.

What kind of stones are used as ‘iliili?  Most seem to be the dense smooth stones that come from volcanic rock and have been worn perfectly smooth by water.  They are often dark in color and are the same type of (basalt) stones used in hot stone massage therapy. A set of 4 rocks is required to play ‘ili’ile.

Can you try this at home if you don’t live in the Hawaiian islands?  Absolutely.  Choose four smooth rocks and practice the techniques above to create your own version of this perfectly natural percussion instrument!

Resources And Related Posts

A Musical Journey To Hawaii – Book and Craft Review – http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/early-learning-with-music/a-musical-journey-to-hawaii/

Pu’ili Tutorial on TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hawaii-Rhythm-Stick-Puili-Music-Crafts-4674686

Freebie Ukulele Coloring Page https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ukulele-Coloring-Page-3017260

Ka `Imi Na`auao O Hawai`i Nei – Website Exploring Traditional Hawaiian Culture – http://www.kaimi.org/

Kuma Rachel’s Hula Information And Tutorials
http://www.hulajustforyou.com/

Hawaiian English Concordance of Hula-Related Terms
http://www.trussel2.com/haw/haw-hula.htm

Ada’s Violin – Making Music From Trash!

Ada's Violin - AdaHave you heard about the children’s orchestera where the instruments were made entirely from trash taken from a garbage dump?  How could this happen?

You’ll love to hear the true story of a man named Favio Chávez who came to a small town in Paraguay as an environmental engineer and went to work in a huge landfill.  As he worked to teach safety practices at the dump, he became friends with the kids and the families – some of whom had working in that dump for generations!  And, he also loved music and was able to teach it!

Ada's Violin- Ada's TownCan you imagine what happens next?  Favio dreams of a better life for his new friends and especially one where they could play music. One little girl named Ada dreamed of playing a violin but didn’t know how she could ever afford to buy a violin or take lessons.  This inspiring story is a powerful testament to the power of music, hope and the difference that caring and creative people can make in the lives of their community.

Ada's Violin CoverAda’s Violin was written by Susan Hood with beautiful illustrations by Sally Wern Comport.  You’ll love reading about the Recycled Orchestra and how it changed one small town and  inspired the world!

Ideas For Making Music From Recyclables

Although these are simpler instruments, you can be inspired to turn trash and recycling into working musical instruments in my E-books.  If any teacher or educator does not have the means to purchase them, please contact me (daria music at yahoo dot com) and I can make a special copy available to them.

Turn Plastic Into Music
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Recycling-Projects-TURN-PLASTIC-INTO-MUSIC-5-Multicultural-Music-Activities-3747012

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rock Out
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Rock-Out-E-Book-With-10-Musical-Activities-653502

Daria’s World Music For Kids TPT Store – Follow me for lots of freebies and resources here – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/World-Music-With-Daria

Here’s How To Stream The Earth Day Song!

Earth Day Song CD Cover-01

There’s so many ways to listen to your favorite music these days.

I’ve heard from many fans who wanted to get the links to stream the Earth Day song as part of their playlist on Apple Music or Spotify, so here are the links. I’ve added Deezer as well, but if I’ve missed your favorite service, let me know so I can add it here!

Below you’ll also find links for freebie lyrics sheets, posters and plus other great activities like “Turn Plastic Into Music!” or instructions on writing your own Earth Day song.  If you are a teacher on a limited budget and need these resources, please reach out to me and I’ll see if I can get you a free educator’s copy.

Thanks – and Happy Earth Day Every Day!

Links And Resources

The Earth Day Song on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/1pylnHLsDCRBtdFis5vzQr

The Earth Day Song on Apple Music https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/daria-sings-for-earth-day-ep/428500463

The Earth Day Song on Deezer https://www.deezer.com/album/1324155

Free Song Lyric Sheet here: http://www.dariamusic.com/wholeworld.php

Free 5 R’s Mini-Poster
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-Rs-RESPECT-THE-EARTH-Earth-Day-Poster-Freebie-3743747

small hands change the worldWrite Your Own Earth Day Song
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Write-Your-Own-Earth-Day-Song-Activity-Sheet-Music-Karaoke-Version-3695772

Turn Plastic Into Music E-Book
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Recycling-Projects-TURN-PLASTIC-INTO-MUSIC-5-Multicultural-Music-Activities-3747012

Reduce, Reuse Recycle and Rock Out E-Book
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-DAY-CD-PLUS-E-BOOK-OF-10-RECYCLED-MUSICAL-ACTIVITIES-658096

And here’s the Official Youtube Video!

 

Get This Jingle Bell Craft Book – Free!

jingle craft book cover

When the winter holidays roll around, who doesn’t love the sound of jingle bells? And those great little jingling bells can be used to make a multitude of creative sensory crafts for kids. Because they are such a great winter activity, we’ve assembled our top 4 jingle bells crafts into a handy E-Book perfect for this time of year.

Here’s What’s In The E-Book

Jingle Bracelet (from booklet)So what were our top 4 crafts?

Number one was our easy jingle bracelets or anklets using yarn or pipe cleaners and beautiful bells. (I’ve heard back from parents who’ve enclosed these with their holiday cards!). Number two was “jingle pencils”, super easy to make with on-hand materials and perfect for large groups – then using for a holiday sing or caroling fun!

Number 3 was a jingle tube craft using any round container like a coffee can or an oatmeal package. These are sturdy and beautiful and you’ll want to use them Jingle Tubesas part of your home music basket or music therapy lessons for months to come. Lastly, our favorite totally green holiday craft reuses both the cardboard tubes for wrapping paper and left-over wrapping materials to make your own jingle marching sticks.

Sound like fun?

Here’s How To Get It

To get this E-book, just send me an e-mail at daria music at yahoo dot com. Make the subject “Free Jingle Bell Book”.  I’ll send a return e-mail with the jingle bells - different colorsE-book and ask you if you would share the link for my TPT store (which is filled with freebies) or share on social media or maybe even do a review on your blog! No worries here, do as much or as little as you like!

Will I check up on this? No. I meet the nicest folks through my blog and my music materials. They are parents, teachers, homeschoolers, music therapists and they love making music a part of their children and family’s day. If you enjoy what I create, I’d appreciate any sort of shout out because that’s precisely how I find the most awesome new friends and fans!

Would You Kindly Follow Me On TPT?

If you follow me on my TPT store, you’ll get first notice of all my music, world TPT headermusic and world cultures fun. There’s even a special section listing over 50 freebies. I’d love to stay connected with you!

Follow me on TPT here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/World-Music-With-Daria

Jingle Bells – That Popular Thanksgiving Song?

jingle bells screensnapDid you know that the song, Jingle Bells, was originally written for Thanksgiving? In fact, if you listen to the lyrics carefully, you can see there are lots of references to fun and snow and celebration – but none to Christmas. Once you hear the story behind the song you’ll understand why.

The song was written by an American minister named James Lord Pierpont in 1850. His original title was “One Horse Open Sleigh”. Pierpont had written the song for a Thanksgiving service, however it became such a favorite that his congregation insisted he perform it again at Christmas. From that time forward, the song grew more and more widely known and was commonly associated with Christmas.

What’s the story behind the lyrics? The song was written in the Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts and the lyrics published in 1857 are a bit different then the ones heard today. The older lyrics talk more about sled races and sleigh riding as it occurred in that area – a popular pastime especially for young people who were courting. No one knows for sure who replaced the original words with the new ones, but the ones heard here are the current version.

Since this merry tune is one of those songs heard and loved across the globe, I decided to pair it with holiday greetings from around the world. So here’s wishing you a merry Thanksgiving and a very happy series of winter holidays!

Can you hear those jingle bells now?

Links And Resources

Free – Holiday Greetings in 18 Languages  Happy Holidays screensnap 18https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Happy-Holidays-in-18-Languages-2230358

Jingle Bell Pencils – Classroom Craft
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jingle-Bells-Classroom-Craft-2246750

Free – Jingle Bell Bracelet or Anklets https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Musical-Jingle-Bell-BraceletsAnklets-2808679

Four Jingle Bell Crafts E-book from TeachersPayTeachers http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4-JINGLE-BELLS-CRAFT-ACTIVITIES-940926

Seashell Trumpets Around The World

Nagak Seashell trumpet from KoreaDid you know a seashell can be a musical instrument?

Years ago, I saw a picture of a conch shell used as a trumpet in an ancient Aztec drawing. As I’ve visited other counties, I’ve discovered that large shells have been used in many different ways in ancient and modern times, all over the world.

Here are just a few of the world music traditions that use sea shells as natural trumpets and horns.

MEXICO

In Aztec culture, the shell trumpet was very symbolic and often associated with the breath of life as well as the rhythms of the sea. Similarly, it was associated aztec conch trumpetwith the call to prayer, marking time during the day and night, rhythms of the moon, fertility and with Ehécatl – the Aztec God of the Wind.

Here is the first picture that piqued my curiosity. It is a musician called a “quiquizoani” playing the conch trumpet. Researchers found 7 different types of conch shell trumpets played in the ancient Aztec culture of Mexico. They also discovered that conch shell trumpets were used by the Aztec military in a manner similar to modern day bugles.

One of the best sites for information on Aztec instruments, including great pictures from important archeological sites is Mexicolore.com. You can find Mexico Lore’s conch shell page here: 
http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/music/conch-trumpet

KOREA

A nagak is a large elegant seashell used as a trumpet, mainly in military parades. You can see it above in a photo of a procession at the royal place in Seoul, Korea. Also called the na, sora or godong, it is made from the shell of a sea snail that is sometimes called Triton’s Trumpet.

JAPAN

horagaiIn Japan, large conch shells called Horagai (法螺貝) (or jinkai (陣貝) have been used as trumpets for many centuries. Special schools still teach students to play the traditional music associated with the conch.

In ancient times, conch trumpets were used by certain sects of Buddhist monks to signal their movements across mountains or to accompany religious chanting. Unlike shell trumpets from other parts of the world, Japanese shell trumpets are fitted with mouthpieces of bamboo or bronze that allow them to create several different notes rather than just one single trumpet blast. Samurai used the war shell; known as the jinkai, as a communication device during battles. Playing different combination of notes would signal warriors to attack, withdraw, or change strategies during battle. Here is an example of the Japanese shell trumpet where you can hear the different notes being played:

PUEBLO CULTURE (USA)

Although the location is many days travel from the ocean, conch shell trumpets were found in the burial chambers of recently discovered (Native American) Pueblo ruins in New Mexico. You can read about what else was discovered there, here: https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/conch-trumpets-flutes-and-turquoise-beads-treasured-items-of-an-ancient-culture/

FLORIDA (USA)

Not to be left out, there is a conch shell trumpet contest every year in the Florida Keys. Adults and kids participate and try to make beautiful music – or at least long sustained blasts – from their own gorgeous shells.

You can check out some of the champion “conch honkers” from the 50th anniversary contest in Key West, here:

Báte Báte – It’s Time For Mexican Hot Chocolate!

Want to add some musical hot chocolate to your favorite playlists? Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora listening links to DARIA’s version of this great song are below.

A lot of people recognize the song from the PBS show Dora The Explorer. But did you know that “Báte, Báte Chocoláte” is probably about 400 years old, first appearing as a counting rhyme in schoolbooks written in Spain? Wow, that’s an ancient song, but one that is so easy and fun to sing.

If you don’t speak Spanish, here’s a bit of an explanation of the song.

The song counts to three in Spanish (uno, dos tres), then it progressively spells out the word “chocolate”(CHO CO LA TE).  The word “báte” is from the Spanish verb “batear” meaning to whip or beat (like you might beat cake batter or whip homemade frosting with a mixer).  Why is the chocolate being beaten or whipped?  That’s how the drink is prepared.

To make Mexican hot chocolate, you put all the ingredients together and heat Mixing The Chocolate from Patithem up. As you do, you use a special carved stick called a molinillo that is rubbed between your hands to create the frothiness and delicious texture that makes this such a special treat! Although this was mainly considered a breakfast treat in Mexico, it’s hard to imagine it not being delicious any time of the day or night.

So sing along, or better yet, whip up some hot chocolate while you enjoy the song, especially if the weather is cold and frosty!

Links And Resources

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2osmKIhdalG0si6IjQri3j
Apple Music:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-rainbow-world/id208109471
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/dora-the…/bate-bate-chocolate/TRlVgkxZ6rxkcwK

Free Lyric Sheet for Báte, Báte Chocoláte
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bate-Bate-Chocolate-Free-Lyric-Sheet-3732121
Báte, Báte Chocolate – On Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/do-the-limbo/id208109471?i=208109484&ign-mpt=uo%3D6
abuelita  chocolateBáte, Báte Chocolate – On Amazon mp3
http://amzn.com/B0013XM8LCDirections For Mexican Hot Chocolate From Pati’s Mexican Table: (Photo above is courtesy of Pati’s Mexican Table – An Excellent site for exploring Mexican Cooking!)
http://www.patismexicantable.com/2010/02/ancient_ways_for_comfort_in_cold_days_mexican_hot_chocolate/
Directions For Mexican Hot Chocolate From Multicultural Cooking Network  http://multiculturalcookingnetwork.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/authentic-mexican-hot-chocolate-recipe/

Are you Un Poco Loco about Disney’s Coco?

miguel and guitar

Have you fallen in love with Disney’s Coco?

This beautifully drawn and animated new movie follows a young boy whose desire to follow his heart and make music takes him all the way to the land of the dead – and back again.  No spoilers here but I can tell you that the movie will delight the youngest to the oldest members of your family.  And it definitely will leave you singing!

One of our favorite songs from the movie is called Un Poco Loco, meaning a little bit crazy. Although it’s not a traditional mariachi song – it’s a new song composed by Germaine Franco and Adrian Molina – it has the wonderful feel and sense of humor of classic songs from this style.

If you speak Spanish, you’ll probably laugh and giggled throughout the song that weaves back and forth through both languages. If you don’t, I’ve shared the lyrics as a cheat sheet with the English translations listed next to the Spanish words.

And, do you want to continue the musical fun after you’ve seen the movie and sung along with this song? Below are several additional activities you can do to learn more about the marvelous music and magic of Mexico!

Un Poco Loco (A Little Bit Crazy)

Miguel sings – What color’s the sky?

¡Ay, mi amor! ¡Ay, mi amor! (Oh! My love, oh my love)

You tell me that it’s red

¡Ay, mi amor! ¡Ay, mi amor! (Oh! My love, oh my love)

Where should I put my shoes
?

¡Ay, mi amor! ¡Ay, mi amor! (Oh! My love, oh my love)

You say, “put them on your head”

¡Ay, mi amor! ¡Ay, mi amor! (Oh! My love, oh my love)

You make me un poco loco (a little bit crazy)

Un poquititito loco (a little, little bit crazy)
poquititito loco (little, little bit crazy)

The way you keep me guessing, I’m nodding and I’m yessing

I’ll count it as a blessing
, That I’m only un poco loco!

 (a little bit crazy)

Héctor sings: 
The loco (crazy) that you make me

It is just un poco crazy (a little bit crazy)

The sense that you’re not making

Miguel sings:
The liberties that you’re taking

Miguel and Héctor sing: 
Leaves my cabeza (head) shaking

You are just un poco loco (a little bit crazy)

Un poquititi-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-to loco!
(A little, little, little, little, little, little, little bit crazy!)

Mariachi Guitar Coloring PageLinks And Resources

Color A Mariachi Guitar - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mariachi-Guitar-Coloring-Page-2511636

Calaveras! Freebie Skull Coloring Page https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-the-Dia-De-Los-Muertos-Calavera-Skull-Freebie-4934285

Skull RosieCalaveras! Freebie Skull Coloring Page https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-the-Dia-De-Los-Muertos-Calavera-Skull-Freebie-2-4934327

Make a Guiro – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-Your-Own-Latin-American-Guiro-1230266

Three Music Crafts For 5 de Mayo - http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/3-great-music-crafts-for-cinco-de-mayo/

Travel To Mongolia and Discover The Morin Khuur!

It’s wonderful if you can travel with your children to beautiful and exotic places around the world.  But, if you can’t, you can always spend time reading about other countries, discovering their cultures and listening to their unique and beautiful traditional music.

Can you imagine a trip to Mongolia?  Known as the “Land of the Eternal Blue Sky, it’s the birthplace of Ghengis Khan and home to camels and reindeer.  It’s a place of extreme temperatures and equally striking beauty.  It’s theScreen shot 2018-01-17 at 3.45.16 PM birthplace of “throat-singing” and the home of an instrument called morin khuur.

The morin khurr or horsehead fiddle is the national instrument of Mongolia and is often said to symbolize the deep and connected relationship between horses and people in this region of the world.  Similar to the erhu from China, it has only 2 string and is played with a bow.  You can hear it’s unique sound and playing style in this video of a song titled “My Father. My Hero”.

We’ve just created a morin khurr poster and freebie coloring page as part of our “Stringed Instruments of The World” series. You can find a link to them below.  If you’d like to visit other regions of the world through music, you can also check out some of our other music mini-courses below.

Links and Resources

Morin Khuur -Freebie coloring page -  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mongolian-Horsehead-Fiddle-Free-Coloring-Page-3578368

Morin Khuur – poster and coloring page - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Morin-Khuur-Mongolian-Fiddle-3578353

Visit Australia – Music Mini-Series -  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Australian-Aboriginal-Instruments-Music-Mini-Course-2816723

Instruments of India coverVisit India – Music Mini-Series – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instruments-of-India-Mini-Course-2682389

Visit The Andes – E-Book and CD – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Childs-Life-In-The-Andes-E-Book-Plus-Music-CD-639838

Hispanic Heritage – Music Craft And Coloring Book https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Celebrate-Hispanic-Heritage-Musical-Craft-And-Coloring-E-Book-1427919