Originally a “huayno” (traditional) song from Peru, this song tells the story of a little chick that comes to a new farm and will not be quiet. All day long it says “pio, pio pio!”. I’ve written new lyrics in English that tell the same story and these adorable chickens and chicks are from my own farm!
You can make musical instruments out of some remarkable items – and they really sound good. Although the didgeridoo is an instrument that has it’s roots in Australia’s Aboriginal culture, this “home improvement” didg was videotaped near the Bahnhof Zoo in Berlin, Germany and is made from a long tube and a plastic traffic cone. If you’d like to color your own didg online – you can visit this link: http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Didg.php. If you’d like to make a homemade didg, check out these simple instructions: http://www.dariamusic.com/make_Didg.php
This group of six boys from Guadalajara, Mexico have created some awesome instruments including a makeshift trap drum kit and trumpets made of long tubes and funnels or soda bottles. Watch this video and you’ll discover some really creative ideas of how to make musical instruments from everyday items! Plus, they have some cool dance moves!
The Leyte Dance Theatre performs a traditional dance from the Philippines called “tinikling”. Dancers do wonderful moves between large bamboo poles that move back and forth and up and down. Performing this dance takes, grace, speed and real skill!
Here’s a slower and more basic version of the tinikling dance from the Philippines. Four graceful children show the basic steps of this proud Filipino national tradition. Want to learn more about this dance and the culture of the Philippines? Check out a great kids book called “The Bamboo Dance” at http://favoritemulticulturalbooks.com/?p=1332.
Sometimes an instrument that appears very simple can actually be played in many different ways. Check out this video made by musician, Kalani as he shows some of the well-known ways of playing the cabasa (also known as the afuche) as well as a some cool little rhythm tricks and techniques.
We aren’t sure why this large chicken is playing an instrument that looks like an electric version of the birembau from Brazil, but it sure did make us smile. We promise to share some videos of authentic birembaus in the future, but for now, we enjoy the creativity and inventiveness of this unique instrument. Enjoy!
This is a new version of the campfire classic, with a few new verses but it. Artwork is by Farah Aria (www.faraharia.com), who draws the most wonderful people. I love how she has included several types of drums here, including the woman on the right, playing a talking drum under her arm!
This is a classic children’s song heard in China and Taiwan. This song is about two tigers. One has no eyes and the other has no tail. Don’t get scared! It is supposed to be funny. The song goes like this:
Two tigers. Two tigers.
Running fast. Running fast.
One has no eyes.
One has no tail.
How strange! How strange!
This is a song known by most Chinese children in China and Taiwan. The title of the song is ” where are my friends” and it goes like this:
Where are my friends?
Where are my friends?
Here they are.
Here they are.
My friends are here!
