This time of year we are always looking for extra performance ideas. I’ve talked about a “play along” for The Nutcracker March that would work well so I thought I’d create one to help you teach it!
Let’s talk details:
Age Range
I’ve done this while “caroling” with 1st graders. The best way to approach this is to listen to it calling attention to different parts. You can teach each element one at a time as you listen for different parts. This helps students learn the form, hear the phrasing, and ultimately, be able to do this without looking at a play along. This would also be a great performance idea that requires no singing and only a few practices.
Materials
- Rhythm Sticks
- Jingle Bells (any kind)
- Finger cymbals, triangles or both
- Red scarves/ribbons/pom poms/etc
- Green scarves/ribbons/pom poms/etc
Process
This is definitely a multiple listens activity and requires the kids to hear the form. The best way to do this is break it down without the visuals first. I suggest viewing the video so you can get an idea as well. I play with them for each part.
- Ss listen and keep beat for the 4 measures of the A section with rhythm sticks.
- Ss listen and keep beat for the 4 measures of the A section with jingle bells. On the last beat of the section where the finger cymbals and triangle appear in the play along, I have them put their arms in the air.
- Ss move to the music only on the B section. On the last beat of the section (finger cymbals/triangle) they freeze in a new position that they must hold until the B section comes again.
- Ss use the red and green scarves during the larger B section. Students can have either red or green or both. Encourage beat movement or long phrases depending on your preference.
What it Looks Like
A: 16 + 16
4 Measures: rhythm sticks keep the beat
4 Measures: Jingle bells keep the beat (15 beats only)
Finger cymbals/Triangle – One loud quarter note on beat 4 of the last measure
A: 16 + 16
B: 8 + 8 + 8 + 8
2 measures – Red scarfs wave from high to low
2 measures – Green scarfs wave from high to low
2 measures – Red scarfs wave from high to low
2 measures – Green scarfs wave from high to low
A: 16 + 16
A: 16 + 16
B: 8 + 8 + 8 + 8
A”: 16 + 16 plus scarves – Scarves follow the melodic contour of the strings with big flourishes up in the air.
A”: 16 + 16 plus scarves – Scarves follow the melodic contour of the strings with big flourishes up in the air.
B: 8 + 8 + 8 + 8
A”: 16 + 16 plus scarves – Scarves follow the melodic contour of the strings with big flourishes up in the air.
A”: 16 + 16 plus scarves – Scarves follow the melodic contour of the strings with big flourishes up in the air.
Teaching Tips
- The hardest part about this play along is the “7 beat” count down that occurs in the second part of the A section before the finger cymbals and triangle. Take a look at the counting that appears in the top right corner to notice.
- Call attention to the form
- Help the kids hear the phrases. When I did this without visuals with 1st graders, they could usually play it straight through the second time because they heard the phrases. The only ‘conducting’ that it entailed was cueing which group was next. This won’t be an issue if you use the visuals.
The Play Along
Click the picture below to find it on YouTube.
I hope that this works for you in any way you use it!
