PERFORMING TYPES OF SONGS

1. Religious songs
2. Patriotic songs
3. Topical songs
4. Popular songs
5. Action song
6. Western art sons
7. African art songs

NB: An art song is a traditional song that has been rearranged for solo or choral performance.

They are usually accompanied by musical instruments.

WESTERN ART SONGS

• Is a European or western folk song which has been arranged for solo or choral performance.
• Are simply art song based on the western/European style of performance.
• Art songs are written in verses.
• Western art songs are based on stories and talk about the beauty of nature.
• When performing western art songs ensure that you bring out the correct mood.
• The mood can be shown through facial expressions, gestures observing performance directions and observing correct tempo or speed.
• Different art songs convey different messages.

Example of western art song

Lyrics: The Path to the Moon Eric H. Thiman l Choir

I long to sail on a path to the moon On a de-ep blue night

when the wind is cool

A glist’ning Path that runs out to sea Silver the sails to carry me

To ca–rry Ca–rry

Ca–rry me over the sea So will I sail on a stary night

on the path to the moon, a sea bird’s flight! Skimming the waves where the fishes play Traveling on for many a day

Silver the sails to carry me, to ca–rry

ca–rry

ca–rry me over the sea!

Grade 6 Music: AFRICAN ART SONG

• African folk songs or African songs which have been rearranged for solo or choral performances.
• They can also be accompanied by African musical instruments or western musical instruments
• African art songs are written and performed in an African style.
• The songs use African rhythm and language
• African art songs are based on traditions of Africa.

Example of African art song

Grade 6 Music Notes: WIMBO WA HISTORIA

Wimbo huu ni wimbo wa historia watu wote mnaombwa msikize kwa makini Ilikuwa oktoba 1952 watu wote tulisikia Kenyatta ameshikwa Hakushikwa Kenyatta peke yake lakini alishikwa na mabingwa wa uhuru Ooooohooohhooohhh Ilikuakilionchniikenyawatuwotetulionahuzunimwingisana

Wakina baba kina mama nawatotowotewaliliamachoziwakisemawooooiwooooiiiiwoitunataka Kenyatta aachiliwe

Baba (wa) taifaalipotokagerezanialiwakutawajumbewetuwametenganavibayasana Kishayake baba taifaalikatashaurimojakujiunganachamachetuKanu Aliongozawajumbepakaulayakufikahukoalipigwanamayaiyaliyooza

Baba taifahakujalialishindanakurudinakatibayanchiyetuhapa Kenya Ilipofikadecemberkuminambilisitininatatumzeewetualinyakuauhurukenya Kishayakedecembersitininannemzeewetualipandishabenderajamuhuri Mzeewetualituombatusahauyaliyopitabadalayaketuijengenchiyetu AlisemaHarambeetuunganenahivisasatumejuaharambeeniumoja

Asante baba wetukweli we asante baba wetu

PATRIOTIC SONGS

• They are sung in praise of a county and its leaders.
• They emphasize on patriotism, ,peace, unity love, pride of our country and social cohesion among citizen.
• The words in patriotic songs may talk about history, people, resources, sceneries and values of a nation.

Examples of patriotic songs

• Kenya, Kenya Taifa Leo
• Tunajivuniakenyanchiyetu,
• Tushangiliekenya.

RELIGIOUS / SACRED SONGS

• They are songs performed by different for religious groups e.g. Christianity, Islam and Hinduism
• Are specifically sung for the purpose of worship and praise a divine or prayer. Example of a religious song

Grade 6 Music Notes: This is the day

This is the day (x2) That the Lord has made (x2)

Let us rejoice (x2) And be glad in it (x2)

This is the day that the Lord has made Let us rejoice and be glad in it

This is the day (x2) That the Lord has made Come unto Me (x2)

O My people come (x2) Sing praise to Him (x2) I will make you one (x2)

Come unto Me, O My people come Sing praise to Him, I will make you one This is the day (x2)

That the Lord has made Sing and be glad (x2) For the Lord is good (x2)

He’s done great things (x2) As He said He would (x2)

Sing and be glad, for the Lord is good He’s done great things, as He said He would

This is the day (x2) That the Lord has made

TOPICAL SONGS

• Are songs that talk about issues affecting the society.
• They are used to convey special message on pertinent and contemporary issue.
• Some of the issues that affect society include:
  • Safety
  • personal hygiene
  • health and nutrition,
  • importance of education
  • environmental conservation
  • drought/famine
  • disease
  • water and sanitation
  • Children’s right
• Topical songs offer advice on how the society can address the various issues. Example of topical songs.

ü  Corona ni hatari

• Wash your hands

ü  Njoo twende shule

PHRASING

• A phrase is a musical sentence or idea.
• Phrases in music indicate where to take a short breath when singing.
• Do not breathe in the middle of a musical sentence because it will interrupt the flow.
• In order to sing whole phrase, you need to have enough breath.
• Take short breath only at the end of a musical phrase.

Example of a song

EeMungunguvuyetu Iletebarakakwetu Hakiiwengaonamlinzi Natukaenaudugu Amani nauhuru Rahatupatenaustawi.

VOICE BLENDING

• Voice blending is singing with unified sound.
• When performing in a group, it is advisable to balance your voices
• To sing with a good voice blend, ensure that you:
  • Sing confidently
  • Start and stop at the same time when singing in a group
  • Sound the vowels and consonants appropriately.
  • Sing at the same volume with others.
  • Sing at the same speed as others singers.
  • Sing the same pitch with others.

Example of a song

See Saw Margery Daw, Jacky shall have a new master;

Jacky shall earn but a penny a day, Because he can’t work any faster.

Grade 6 Music Notes: PERFORMANCE CUES

• Performance cues are directions given to the performer to guide their performance.
• Performance cues include soft, loud, fast, slow crescendo and diminuendo.
• Crescendo means gradually getting louder or gradually increasing the volume.
• Diminuendo means getting softer or gradually decreasing the volume.
• When performance cues are gradually followed the music becomes interesting.
• Performance cues also bring out the mood of a song and improves the voice.

Example song

Rain, rain, go away Come again another day We want to go outside and play Come again another day

Rain, rain, go away Come again another day We want to go outside and play Come again another day

Rain, rain, go away Come again another day We want to go outside and play Come again another day

SINGING IN A DUET

• A two part song is a song sang in two different voice part.
• A duet is a two-part song performed by 2 people each singing a different voice part.
• The voices that sing in a duet may include:
  • Soprano/alto
  • Tenor/bass
  • Soprano/bass
  • Soprano/tenor
  • Alto/bass
  • Alto/tenor
• When performing in duet remember to express the mood of the song always appropriately.
• Always keep to your voice as you sing a duet.
• When 2 performers sing in 2 different voice parts together they create harmony.

Example of a song

Goosey goosey gander, Whither shall I wander? Upstairs and downstairs And in my lady’s chamber.

There I met an old man Who wouldn’t say his prayers, So I took him by his left leg And threw him down the stair

Grade 6 Music Notes: SINGING IN A TRIO

• A three-part song is a song in three different voice parts.
• A trio is a three-part song by three people each singing a different voice part.
• The voice parts in a trio may include:
• Saprano1, soprano 2 alto
• Tenor 1 tenor 2 and bass
• Soprano, alto and bass
• Soprano alto and tenor
• When performing in trio remember to express the mood of the song always appropriately.
• Always keep to your voice as you sing a trio
• When 3 performers sing in 3 different voice parts together they create harmony
• When performing in trio you should ensure that
• You observe the correct pitch
• You follow the rhythm correctly
• You maintain the correct tempo of the song
• You follow the performance dynamics

Example of a song

Ring-a-ring-a-rosies A pocket full of posies

A tissue, a tissue We all fall down

The king has sent his daughter To fetch a pail of water

A tissue, a tissue We all fall down

The robin on the steeple Is singing to the people A tissue, a tissue

We all fall down

The wedding bells are ringing

Grade 6 Music Notes: MESSAGES AND VALUES IN SONG

• Different songs have different messages and values.
• Always listen to and sing songs with values and educative messages.
• Values in songs include responsibility, respect love unity patriotism, social justice and integrity.
• Educative messages include those that promote peace, encourage helping the needy and encourage hard work.

SOCIAL ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SONGS

• Songs are very important to the society and to an individual
• The social importance of songs include:
• Promoting peace and unity among people
• Teaching about morals and valuesin society and discouraging vices in the society
• Entertainment
• Passing a certain message to people in the community
• Warning people against bad behaviour
• Prasing people for good deeds such as environment conservation

• Economic importance include
• Musician get paid when they perform in events or concert
• Musicians record music and sell it to get money
• Musicians earn money when songs are downloaded from various digital sources
• Music earn the country revenue

KENYAN FOLK SONGS

• Folk songs are traditional songs performed during different occasions by different communities
• They are performed by a common people of a region in a local language
• There different types of folk songs:-
• Naming folk songs
• Worship folk songs
• Marriage folk songs
• Initiation folk songs
• Work fork songs
• Funeral folk songs
• Solo folk songs

A.     Naming folk songs

• Are performed to celebrate the birth of a child.
• They welcome a new member to the family and society at large.
• Performed as a way of thanks giving to God for a new life.
• Are sung to congratulate the parents for bringing a new life to the world.
• They educate the parent on how to take care of the newborns.

Example- mwana wa mberi from luhya community

B.     Worship folk songs

• Are performed during religious ceremonies in different places of worship
• They are used to
• Educate believers about god
• Praise god
• Entertain the worshippers
• Encourage and give hope to the worshippers Example- roho maler

C.     Marriage folk songs

• Marriage folk songs are performed during marriage ceremony.
• Are sung to praise the bride and the groom.
• Educate the newly married couple on values in marriage such as love faithfulness and hard work.
• Are sung to entertain people during marriage ceremonies.

Example ekio nkiekio

D.     Initiation folk songs

• Are songs are sung during transaction from one stage of life to the next.
• They educate the initiates on the morals they are expected to uphold.
• They promote good behaviour among the young people.
• They encourage the initiates to be brave.
• Teach the initiates on traditions and expectations of the community.
• They entertain people during the initiation ceremony.

Example-

E.     Work folk songs

• Are folk songs performed when people are doing different types of work such as farming, grazing cattle, building
• Encourage and motivate workers
• They also entertain the workers Example- wakariru by gikuyu community

F.      Funeral folk songs

• Performed when mourning the death of a loved one.
• Help people to come together and celebrate the life of the dead.
• They console the family who have lost a loved one.
• They help people heal from the pain of losing a loved one.

Example-

G.    Solo folk songs

• Are performed by one person
• A solo folk song performance can be accompanied by
• Dancing
• Musical instruments
• The performer can also wear appropriate costumes and decorate his or her body with adornments and ornaments

Example

DICTION IN FOLK SONGS

• Diction refers to the proper pronunciation of words when singing
• To get good diction you should
• Pay attention to the vowels and consonants in the words
• Pronounce all the endings of the words in the folk songs
• Have good breath control during singing

FEATURES OF FOLK SONGS

• Mood
• Climax
• Structure
• Vocal ornamentation
• Message

IMPORTANCE OF PERFORMING FOLK SONGS FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN KENYA

• It helps in cultural preservation
• Promotes national unity
• It is a source of employment
• Attracts tourist
• Folk songs entertain the audience
• Educate people on moral and values

KENYAN INDIGENOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

String instruments

• Are musical instruments that have strings.
• Produce sound by
• Plucking
• Strumming
• Rubbing the strings

• String instruments can have one, two or more number of strings.
• A string instrument with one or two strings is called fiddle.
• There different types of string instruments found among the Kenya communities.
• Each instrument has specific community of origin.

Grade 6 Music Notes on Musical instruments: FIDDLE

• Fiddles are string instruments that have one or two strings

PARTS OF A FIDDLE AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

1. Arm/neck – for holding and supporting the instrument when playing it.
   1. String -it is plucked or strummed to produce sound.
   1. Resonator – makes the sound louder.
   1. Membrane/skin – used to cover the resonator.
   1. Bridge – used to make the sound clearer by separating the string from the skin or membrane.
   1. Tuning peg – used to loosen or tightening the strings to produce the desired sound.

TUNING A FIDDLE

• Tuning is the process of adjusting the pitch of one or many tones of a musical instrument or getting it ready so that it is played it will sound at the correct pitch.
• String instruments are tuned to produce the desired sound.
• To tune a fiddle, identify the string and also identify the sound that you desire to produce.
• A fiddle can be tuned by
• Loosening the tuning peg
• Tightening the tuning peg

CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF STRING INSTRUMENT

1. Dust the parts of the instruments using a piece of cloth. Handle the string with care
   1. Always use the arm of the instrument when carrying it.
   1. Always check your string instrument before playing it
   1. Replace word out or damaged parts of a string instrument
   1. Store it in a dry place free from dust and moisture
   1. Keep your instrument away from dust by putting it in a protective bag
   1. String instrument can be stored by hanging them on a wall or placing them in a cool and dry place where people cannot step on them.
   1. Avoid storing your instrument near walking paths because people passing by may knock them.

NB: when string instrument are cared for and maintained well, they last longer and produce good sound.

TECHNIQUES OF PLAYING STRING INSTRUMENTS

1. Bowing

Rubbing the instrument using a bow.

Bow: is made using a sisal thread tied on both ends of curved stick.

Types of musical bow

• Groud bow- eg. Nderemo by Kikuyu
  • Mouth bow- eg Obokano by Kuria
  • Hunters bow- eg Entono by Kuria
• Plucking

Involves pulling and releasing the string using the fingers.

• Holding

Every string instrument has a specific way in which it is held when playing.

When a string instrument is not properly held when playing, it may not produce the desired sound.

MAKING OF A FIDDLE(PROJECT)

1. Collect tools and materials
2. Making the arm or neck
3. Fixing the tuning peg
4. Preparing the resonator
5. Fixing the arm or neck to the resonator
6. Fixing the string
7. Preparing the bridge
8. Preparing the bow
9. Tuning and play to test

APPRECIATING THE ROLE OF A STRING INSTRUMENTS

PLAYING IN AN INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

• An ensemble is a group of people who performs instrumental or vocal music together instruments being played together
• An instrumental ensemble consists of a group of instruments being played together
• An instrument can be percussion instruments, winds instruments or string instruments

Grade 6 Music Notes: WESTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Descant recorder

Playing The Scale Of C Major

• A C major scale consist of the notes C D E F G A B C.
• The scale of C major starts with C and ends with C¹.
• All the notes of the scale of C major can be played on the descant recorder.

Playing the notes C and C¹

• To play note C on the descant recorder, cover the hole with your fingers
  • Back hole – left thumb
  • 1^st hole from the top – the left index finger.
  • 2^nd hole from the top – the left middle finger.
  • 3^rd hole from the top – the left ring finger.
  • 4^th hole from the top – the right index finger.
  • 5^th hole from the top – the right middle finger.
  • 6^th hole from the top – the right ring finger.
  • 7^th hole from the top – the right little finger.

• The right hand thumb should be used to support the descant recorder.
• Note C has a low sound or pitch.

NOTE C¹

• To play note C¹ cover the second hole from the top with your left hand’s middle finger and the back hole with your left thumb.
• All other holes s hould remain open.
• The right hand thumb should support the descant recorder
• Note C¹ and C are different in pitch.

The pitch of C¹ is high while C is lower. C1 is called higher C

PLAYING THE LOWER D AND D¹

• To play note D the descant recorder, cover holes from the top with fingers except hole seven
• Back hole – left thumb
• 1^st hole from the top – the left index finger.
• 2^nd hole from the top – the left middle finger.
• 3^rd hole from the top – the left ring finger.
• 4^th hole from the top – the right index finger.
• 5^th hole from the top – the right middle finger.
• 6^th hole from the top – the right ring finger.
• The right hand thumb should be used to support the descant recorder.
• Hole seven is not covered when playing note D