Category: Distance Learning Resources

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Martin Luther King

Introduction

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who fought for equal rights, peace and justice.  His life was spent in working toward those goals, for which we still work toward today.

The song for today uses a line from his most famous speech for the words.  You can watch a video about this speech at the end of the lesson.  I even included a video of him actually giving the speech.  Be sure to watch those.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very important man that you should know about.

Listen

The Lesson

At The Piano

Full Speed

Slower

Sheet Music

Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Enrichment

Read a biography about Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Hey Ho! Nobody Home

Introduction

This song probably dates back to the 16th century though its origins are obscure. We do know that it is from England and was a favorite of carolers who went from door to door at Christmastime, soliciting food and drink in exchange for their harmony.

In the song, the words tell the story of a group of carolers that go to a house where nobody is home.  So what?  Well, if there’s nobody home to sing for, the singers won’t make any money, and so can’t afford to buy meat or drink.

Video

The Lesson

At The Piano

Full Speed

Slower

Sheet Music

Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Enrichment

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Head and Shoulders

Introduction

This is a fun song to play.  Focus mostly on the rhythms.

When you switch to the left hand, it is for the word ‘Baby’ every time.  This will help you remember when to switch.

Have fun playing this song and mind the rhythm!

Video

The Lesson

At The Piano

Full Speed

Slower

Sheet Music

Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Enrichment

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Akiwowo

Introduction

Babatunde Olatunji was a renowned drummer, Civil Rights activist, and educator who is largely credited for popularizing West African drumming and Afrobeat music in the US. Born in Ajido, Nigeria in 1927, Olatunji was the recipient of a Rotary International Foundation scholarship, and immigrated to the US in 1950. He studied in Atlanta, GA, and then came to study in New York City in 1954. Later, Olatunji formed a band with other African students and expatriates, and they were popular performers across NYC. In 1957, he and his band performed at Radio City Music Hall; two years later, Olatunji released his album Drums of Passion, the first track of which is “Akiwowo.”

Olatunji continued to be active both as a musician and an activist. He toured with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., participated in the March on Washington, was featured at John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration ceremony, and performed for the United Nations General Assembly. In 2004, Drums of Passion was officially added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress.

Listen

The Lesson

At The Piano

Full Speed

Slower

Sheet Music

Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Enrichment

Posted on

De Colores

Introduction

This is a beautiful and very important song about the beauty of diversity in nature and people.

It is a Mexican folk song.

Please take the time, not only to learn to play the song on the piano, but to sing it and to share it.  Like in most folk music, the words are the really important part.  Music is a vehicle for self-expression and communication.  A language. 

Video

The Words

Spanish

De colores, de colores
Se visten los campos en la primavera.
De colores, de colores
Son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.
De colores, de colores
Es el arco iris que vemos lucir.

Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

De colores, de colores
Brillantes y finos se viste la aurora.
De colores, de colores
Son los mil reflejos que el sol atesora.
De colores, de colores
Se viste el diamante que vemos lucir.

Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

Canta el gallo, canta el gallo
Con el quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri.
La gallina, la gallina
Con el cara, cara, cara, cara, cara.
Los pollitos/polluelos, los pollitos/polluelos
Con el pío, pío, pío, pío, pí.

Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

De colores, de colores
Sí, de blanco y negro y rojo y azul y castaño.
Son colores, son colores
De gente que ríe, y estrecha la mano.
Son colores, son colores
De gente que sabe de la libertad.

Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores
De muchos colores me gustan a mí.

English

In colors, in colors
The fields are dressed in the spring.
In colors, in colors
Are the little birds that come from outside.
In colors, in colors
Is the rainbow that we see shining.

And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors
And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.

In colors, in colors
Brilliant and delicate is dressed the dawn.
In colors, in colors
Are the thousand gleams the sun treasures.
In colors, in colors
Is dressed the diamond we see shining.

And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.
And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.

The rooster sings, the rooster sings
With a cock-a-doodle, cock-a-doodle-doo.
The hen, the hen
With a cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck.
The chicks, the chicks
With a cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep.

And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.
And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.

In colors, in colors
Yes, black and white and red and blue and brown.
All the colors, colors
From people laughing, and shaking hands.
All the colors, colors
From people who know freedom.

And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors
And that is why I love
The great loves of many colors.

The Lesson

Sheet Music

Piano
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Digging Deeper