A lyrical tune, based on a five-note pentatonic scale using C, D, E, G and A.
The video
Boats Afloat
This piece is based on a song, with words exploring how boats developed from ancient rafts and canoes, onto using paddles and sails, towards steam power and cargo ships.
The tune uses a five-note pentatonic scale, using C, D, E, G and A. The ups and downs of the tune are shown on screen and reflect the waves, swelling of the sea, and water flowing to and fro. Children can do hand actions to follow the shape of the melody, showing these ups and downs.
Melody instruments featured in the backing track include:
- glockenspiel in Verse 1
- dulcimer in Verse 2
- recorder in Verse 3
- guitar in Verse 4
- dulcimer in Verse 5
- recorder in Verse 6
- ensemble in the coda
Pupils can mime relevant actions and join in with similar instruments available at your school. Instead of dulcimer, they might trypicking out some of the notes on string instruments like ukulele, guitar, violin, autoharp or zither.
Other pupils can accompany the music with percussion and body percussion, such as quiet tambourines, cymbals played with soft beaters and gentle mouth sounds (‘tsssss…’, ‘shhhh…’ etc) for the splishing and splashing of the water.
Resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for the series (pdf)
Download audio
Download the audio file for this music video (mp3)
Guide vocal
Download the guide vocal for this music video (mp3)
