top of page
OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM
American Folk Song
RHYTHM WARMUP:
Clap, sing, or play along with the rhythm cards!
LISTENING:
Listen to this recording of "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" performed by John Denver. Be sure to listen for the sound of the banjo. The banjo plays a different sound for each animal mentioned in the song!
Listening Collection:
"Old MacDonald Had A Farm"
00:00 / 01:17
Can you hear when Old Macdonald appears in this recording?
How does the Listening Collection recording sound different from the John Denver recording above?
SONG ANALYSIS
(Think, track, and sing along!)
What does the rhythm sound like?
00:00 / 01:02
What does the melody sound like?
00:00 / 01:04
Which fingers play this song?
00:00 / 01:39
Which hands play this song?
00:00 / 01:05
PRACTICING:
Play along using the keyboard image with the video, or download your own keyboard card:
USE A CURVED HAND POSITION WITH BOTH THUMBS ON MIDDLE C.
BE SURE TO SWITCH HANDS WITH EACH CLEF CHANGE!
.jpg)
Play Video
PERFORMING:
Play along with and without the video using the interactive keyboard below!
USE A CURVED HAND POSITION WITH BOTH THUMBS ON MIDDLE C.
BE SURE TO SWITCH HANDS WITH EACH CLEF CHANGE!
Play Video
.jpg)
5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5
PRACTICE TRACKER:
How many times did you practice the song?
0
CONNECTING:
Versions of “Old MacDonald” are sung in different languages all over the world! Check out some of these videos of “Old MacDonald” from around the world. Can you figure out the word for cow in each of the languages featured here?
CREATING:
Compose your own rhythms in 4/4 time!
Download the PDF here:
