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THIS OLD MAN
English Folk Song
NEW MUSICAL CONCEPT: SIXTEENTH NOTES
When a beat is divided into smaller parts, it is called subdivision.
Eighth notes divide one beat into two parts. Eighth notes can be read "ti-ti."
Sixteenth notes divide one beat into four parts. Sixteenth notes can be read "ti-ki-ti-ki."
Read the sixteenth notes in the "Rhythm Warmup" and the rhythm track in the "Song Analysis" section.
RHYTHM WARMUP:
Clap, sing, or play along with the rhythm cards!
"ti ti-ki"
"ti-ki ti"
CONNECTING:
LITERACY
Watch and listen to this recording of the book "This Jazz Man" written by Karen Ehrhardt.
How did the author change the lyrics?
Listening Collection:
"This Old Man"
00:00 / 01:43
The Music and the Brain Listening Collection recording for "This Old Man" features solo piano. How would you describe what you hear?
SONG ANALYSIS
Think, track the notes with your pointer finger, and
sing along with the following recordings!
What does the rhythm sound like?
00:00 / 00:31
What does the melody sound like?
00:00 / 00:30
Which fingers play this song?
00:00 / 00:30
What are the lyrics of this song?
00:00 / 00:31
"Airplane A"
Notice the circled note in the third measure. That note is called "A." We play "A" by flying our left hand finger 2 over the right hand, to play the note after G(5). Watch the piano video in the "Practicing" and "Performing" sections for a demonstration of how to play "Airplane A."
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 USE L.H. 2 TO PLAY "AIRPLANE A" IN THE THIRD MEASURE!
A
2
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 USE L.H. 2 TO PLAY "AIRPLANE A" IN THE THIRD MEASURE!
5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 2
PRACTICE TRACKER:
How many times did you practice the song?
0
CONNECTING:
Check out these different versions of "This Old Man." Notice how each musician created a unique interpretation by changing the style, melody, or lyrics of the song. What aspect of the song would you change to create your own interpretation?
CREATING:
Download the PDF file here:
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