Apples And Bananas

As we have often done, last spring we asked members of the great Music K-8 Mailing List what favorite songs they would like to see in this year's magazines. This novel teaching song was mentioned several times, so we added it to our list for the year. Given the nature of the tune, it seems most appropriate to have it in the first issue.

It's a simple, straightforward tune in a light swing style, which means that the eighth notes are "swung," actually being performed as a broken triplet. It will be hard for your singers to do it any other way when they hear the recording.

The song is a great way to illustrate long vowel sounds, and it is silly enough that the kids will enjoy it. The arrangement uses the six verses traditionally found here: one for the words in their normal form, and one verse for each of the five vowels the students are learning about. Do share this one with your reading specialist and any primary teachers in your school who are teaching these concepts. It's just another way you are making music indispensable in your school.

Be sure to note with your students the instrumentation on the recording. They will hear piano, bass, drums using brushes, and a couple of acoustic guitars. Two other instruments also stand out - the spoons and Sandy Williams' great solo fills on the dobro. This special guitar-like instrument is made mostly of steel and is played with a slide as well as with the fingers like a guitar.