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ODE TO JOY
by Ludwig van Beethoven
RHYTHM WARMUP:
Clap, sing, or play along with the rhythm cards!
Slow
Fast
LISTENING:
Watch and listen to this recording of "Ode to Joy" performed by an orchestra at Carnegie Hall!
What do you hear?
Listening Collection:
"Beethoven the Great Composer"
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BEETHOVEN THE GREAT COMPOSER
1770 - 1827, Germany
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Download the full PDF here:
Beethoven was the great composer of "Ode to Joy" and many other songs. His father, a strict man, gave him music lessons as a child.
Even though Beethoven was a virtuoso pianist, he had trouble in school. He once said, "Music comes to me more readily than words."
Young Ludwig published his first composition at age 12, and he played piano to help support his family.
At age 26, Beethoven started to lose his hearing, and he eventually became completely deaf. Despite losing his hearing, he still continued to compose music, and he became one of the greatest composers of all time!
"Ode to Joy" comes from Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and it was the first composition ever to use voices with a symphony orchestra!
SONG ANALYSIS
(Think, track, and sing along!)
What does the rhythm sound like?
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What does the melody sound like?
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Which fingers play this song?
00:00 / 00:57
Which notes are in this song?
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PRACTICING:
Play along using the keyboard image with the video, or download your own keyboard card:
USE A CURVED HAND POSITION WITH THE THUMB ON MIDDLE C
Play Video
PERFORMING:
Play along with and without the video using the interactive keyboard below!
USE A CURVED HAND POSITION WITH THE THUMB ON MIDDLE C
Play Video
5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5
PRACTICE TRACKER:
How many times did you practice the song?
0
CONNECTING:
People all over the world know "Ode to Joy!"
Check out this video of a Beethoven flash mob,
and more versions of the song below!
CREATING:
Compose your own rhythms in 4/4 time like Beethoven!
(Hint: each measure in 4/4 time has 4 beats.)
Download the PDF here:
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