Solo singing is a skill that needs to be developed. For a lot of students, it’s a point of anxiety. Singing out in front of their peers can feel exposed, and some kids will really resist the urge to sing out. One of the easy ways to get students to feel more comfortable is to take the eyes off them. Even though there are solo lines in these songs, games are an easy way to take off the pressure. Here are five great games to encourage solo singing.
Lemonade
Rhythm Set: Ta TiTi
Solfege Set: MS
Game: I know of two different games for Lemonade. The second game below is the one that works for solo singing.
Game 1: Formation: Players divided into two groups.
Action: Group 1 huddles and chooses a trade to pantomime. When they have chosen a trade, the game begins. Group 1 sings the call phrases and Group 2 trees to guess the trade. When they have guessed correctly, group two choses a trade and the game begins again.
Game 2: Formation: Circle with one child is in the center. They choose a different beverage and sing answer alone.
Doggie Doggie
Rhythm Set: Ta TiTi
Solfege Set: MSL
Game: Formation: Players in seated position. One chid (the doggie) sits with eyes closed in front of the group A bone is under Doggie’s chair.
Action: One child (the woofer) is chosen to take the bone. The group sings “Doggie, Doggie, where’s your bone” and the Doggie answers “Someone took it from my home.” As the group sings, the woofer takes the bone from under Doggie’s chair and returns to his/her seat. Doggie sings “Who took my bone?” And the woofer answers with a short dog bark. The Doggie opens his/her eyes and tries to guess who took the bone. If Doggie is unsuccessful after 3 guesses, the Woofer sings “ I have the bone” and the game begins again with a new Doggie and a new Woofer.
Ducks and Geese
Rhythm Set: Ta TiTi
Solfege Set: MS
Game Directions:
One child (the wolf) hides. Another child (the Farmer or Farmer’s Wife) stands facing a line of the other children (Ducks and Geese). Lines sung alternative as indicated as a conversation. At the end of the song, the Ducks and geese run toward the Farmer or Farmer’s Wife to a designated “safe zone” while the Wolf rushes out and tries to capture one.
Who’s That
Rhythm Set: Ta TiTi Ta Rest Half Note
Solfege Set: DRMS
Game: Formation: Circle with one student in the center. Action: The student in the center covers their eyes. Two students are chosen to hide, one by the window and one by the door. The class sings the first 2 phrases and the chosen students sing the appropriate solo line. The student in the center has to guess who is hiding.
Who Has the Penny
Rhythm Set: Ta TiTi Half Note Tim-ka
Solfege Set: Major
Game: Formation: Circle with one student in the center. Action: The student in the center covers their eyes. Three students are given an object: a penny, a key, and a thimble. The class sings the question phrases and the chosen students sing the answer solo line. The student in the center has to guess who has each object.
I hope these get your students feeling more comfortable singing out!
