Things that work: Songs to learn by ear

Yesterday I started reading "The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music", by Richard Floyd, and already in the preface I had to stop because I thought what I was reading was so clever. Floyd writes that for many years he had a book where he noted what he pragmatically calls things that worked . Things like strategies, activities and techniques that have been proven to work over time, with different groups. This inspired me to make my own book to carry with me, and to start writing down what I have of repertoire, strategies and ideas myself. So here is a tiny list of good songs to learn by ear that work again and again with new musicians. I have used them with class bands, beginner bands, at workshops and summer courses.

Songs to learn by ear that work:

• Bele mama

• Three little fishies

• Mission: Impossible theme

• We will rock you

• Eye of the Tiger

• Well known children’s songs with a 3-5 notes range

Many of the songs I use are from the Pre-Twinkle songs from the Suzuki repertoire and beginner trumpet and band books, so the list is unfortunately a little shorter in English than in Norwegian.

If the songs have lyrics, I always start by singing them while showing the pitch in the air. When everyone can sing the melody, the group is ready to play. We learn the songs part by part and then we put them together at the end. I often create differentiated voices with greater or lesser challenges, but the goal is for everyone to try their hand at the melody first. Sometimes the simplest voice can consist of singing most of the melody and playing a few notes, other times it can consist of a lot of root notes and sevenths. The most important thing is that everyone is involved and that no one feels left out because they can't do the same thing as their sidekick. Everyone should know that what they contribute is important.