Rockin' Around The Hound Dog's Blue Suede Shoe BAG

Why not add a bit more fun for your beginning recorder classes? Sure, there are zillions of BAG tunes out there, many with recorded tracks, but, hey, how many let you dress like Elvis and move around while learning your fingering? We have filled this new BAG tune with many options...and a very long title!

The first set of options falls after the stop time section at 17. At bar 21, you can either have them play the notes as written, or chant/rap the title of the tune. (The kids in the recording session got a real kick out of this.) You can also split the class, letting half play and half rap, then reverse sides. For VERY beginning students, you may also want to use much simpler notes at 21, such as...

G whole note | G half note, A half note | G whole note

The real fun can start at bar 29. During the guitar solo, we suggest an active part that involves some movement and some enhanced learning. Adapt it to suit your needs, being sure that you allow plenty of time and space for the movement. Kids with recorders in their hands and/or mouths need extra care. Try to execute each move about beat one of the bar. Here is one possibility:

• 29 Carefully lower recorder
• 30 ...and stand
• 31 Hold recorder at front at arm's length
• 32 Finger "B"
• 33 Move recorder to right
• 34 Finger "A"
• 35 Back to front
• 36 Finger "G"
• 37 Move recorder to left
• 38 Finger "A"
• 39 Back to front
• 40 Sit, and bring recorder to lips with care

This routine will also work just fine while sitting, and that is a good way to start the learning anyway.

You may also wish to have your players remain standing to the end, for effect, or perhaps bring them up only just before bar 41.

For bars 55-57, your options are much as they were before: play the rhythm of the title (as at bar 21), rap the rhythm, split the class and do both, or simplify the melody. Under the last bar, each player is allowed to play any rhythm or melody, as long as only the notes B, A, and G are used. As practice, go around the room letting each player have a chance, possibly playing a familiar melody fragment.

O.K... add shades, grease back your hair a bit, and have a lot of fun with this one. Uh-uh-huh... Uh-uh-huh!