APPLYING THE PIPES
(songs@appliedpiper.co.uk)
Applying the
pipes
PLAY
IT TO APPLY IT!
There are many ways to use the songs of the
Applied
Piper!
First
and foremost is to play them!
It is not a music lesson. It is using songs to educate,
illustrate, indicate, elucidate, demonstrate, communicate,
celebrate and exhilarate. Possibly all at the same time!
Just playing the song often, may be enough.
Singing along will definitely increase the impact.
Having the words in front of you usually helps (there is a
lot of information in many of the songs).
Dancing or performing in the choruses and zany bits keeps
the brain supple.
Play
them often, so that the tune carries the words and grooves
them into the grey matter.
HOW THE
APPLIED PIPER APPLIED THE PIPES
I
have taught electricity to classes of children using the
song as my main teaching aid.
Each verse has compact and self-contained units of
information.
The chorus is light, zappy and exhilarating.
We learned the chorus first and sang it lustily - with
loads of actions. The C.D. is enough to teach the tune - it
doesn't matter whether you
can sing it or
not!
Press
a button, flick a switch, it’s magic, it’s
magic!
Fly a kite in a thunderstorm, it’s tragic, it’s
tragic!
Stick balloons to the wall, make your hair stand on end;
Blast your music out so loud, it drives your mum right
round the bend;
E – lect – ric – i - ty,
Charging round for you and me!
Unusual and
difficult words were identified, enjoyed and repeated many
times.
Verse 1 was
read, discussed and explained.
Then it was listened to and sung along with + the familiar
chorus.
Word-sheets were turned face-down and there was a quiz
(with rewards) on verse 1 and the chorus.
Children were challenged to recite the whole verse off by
heart.
The remaining verses were treated in the same way, and each
time a verse was added, the whole song was played through
again and sung along with.
Play
the song often so that the words begin to flow round the
bloodstream.
One focussed
lesson launches the song. After that it sails along on its
own, provided you give it the air-time.
At the end of the week a song-quiz was done and a missing
words sheet handed out.
And,
did I mention it? We played the song often!
Let the music do the work. It carries the information into
those parts that others cannot reach; it goes where
textbooks fear to tread!
To
apply it, play it; and then play with it.
The songs are
designed to make life easier, lighter and more enjoyable.
They enhance and improve the learning experience. And they
are so easy to use!
UNLESS
YOU FORGET TO PLAY THEM!
"I
recommend using these songs very highly indeed. They are
designed to work on their own. But if you want a real treat
and to kick-start your topic straight into the fast lane, I
urge you to employ the Applied Piper for a day to teach
them. A great time will be had by all and the little grey
cells will be buzzing with knowledge!"
David
Jones, Headmaster, Halwill Primary School, Devon
If you want to
see the song menu, go to the Musiculum.
If you want an alphabetical list of songs, contact
A-Z
If you want to order a new song, go to the
Balladarium.
If you want to
see more testimonials, go to Songs of Praise.