top of page

CAN CAN

from Jacque Offenbach's light opera "Orpheus in the Underworld" 

can can dancers image.jpg

RHYTHM WARMUP:

Clap, sing, or play along with the rhythm cards!

Can Can Rhythm Warm Up
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_01.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_02.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_02.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_01.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_02.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_02.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_03.j
4_4 Time Cards front JPEG 2019_Page_01.j

CONNECTING:

LISTENING

Listen to this orchestral performance of "Can Can" written by Jacques Offenbach.

How would you describe this song?

Connecting: Can Can Listening video
Depositphotos_12831328_xl-2015.jpg

CONNECTING:

Composer JACQUES OFFENBACH

00:00 / 00:35
Connecting: Can Can Composer Info

Jacques Offenbach was born in Germany in 1819 to a musical family.  His father taught him the violin as a young boy, and he played the cello as he grew older.  He studied music further in France and performed throughout Europe as a cellist.  He wrote many operettas (light comic operas) and eventually wrote the famous "Can Can" for his opera "Orpheus in the Underworld."  As an older man in his 50's, Offenbach had money problems and toured in the United States to help pay off his debts.  Before he died in 1880, he had written more than 100 stage works.  

Connecting: Can Can Dance Video
27552437_l.jpg

CONNECTING:

CANCAN DANCE

Audiences have enjoyed the Cancan dance for many years.  It has French or Algerian origins, and features women wearing petticoats (layers of skirts) while doing a lively dance with high kicks, flips and splits. It was considered shocking in the 1830s when it became popular, because it was new for women to be so acrobatic in a dance.  Watch this movie clip of the Cancan dance! 

Listening Collection:

"CAN CAN"

00:00 / 01:49

How would you describe the different sound of our Listening Collection recording of "Can Can?"  

Listen for the lyrics or words being sung describing the Cancan dance.

Can Can Listening Collection Audio
Can Can Song Analysis

SONG ANALYSIS

(Think, track, and sing along!)

What does the rhythm sound like?

00:00 / 01:03

What does the melody sound like?

00:00 / 01:05

Which fingers play this song?

00:00 / 01:44
regular keyboard card new hand side.jpg
Can Can notation.jpg

The sharp symbol (#) tells us the pitch or sound is going to be slighly higher.  In this song, there is an F# so finger number 4 in the right hand will playing the black key for F#

There is a 1st and 2nd ending in this song.  When you reach the repeat sign, go back to the beginning and play the first system (line of music) then skip to the 2nd ending to play the last 2 measures (2.)

Can Can Keyboard Practice

PRACTICING:

Play along using the keyboard image with the video, or download your own keyboard card:

HAND POSITION WITH BOTH THUMBS ON MIDDLE C, RH 4 on F#.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE 1ST AND 2ND ENDINGS!

Can Can notation.jpg
regular keyboard card new keyboard side
F#
Can Can Keyboard Performing

PERFORMING:

Play along with and without the video using the interactive keyboard below!

PLACE BOTH THUMBS ON MIDDLE C AND THE (RH) FINGER 4 ON F#.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE 1ST AND 2ND ENDING!

Can Can notation.jpg

5       4       3       2       1      2       3          4#  5

PRACTICE TRACKER:

How many times did you practice the song?

0
Can Can Connecting - Performance Videos

CONNECTING:

Check out these different versions of "Can Can" with different instruments. Which one do you like most?  Why?

Can Can Composition Exercise

CREATING:

Can you write your own lyrics to Can Can that describe the Cancan dance?

Download the PDF here:

can can lyric worksheet.jpg
Can Can Responding Box
RESPONDING:
Let Music and the Brain hear from you!

How would you rate the song "Can Can?"

Pretty badNot so goodGoodVery goodAwesome

How would you rate the "Can Can" Lesson Page?

Pretty badNot so goodGoodVery goodAwesome

Thanks for submitting!

2020 Allstar Challenges Banner.jpg
bottom of page