Toccata And Kazoogue In D Maybe

We had a lot of fun preparing this musical concoction and we hope you and your students will enjoy it, too. Loosely based on the toccata section of J. S. Bach's Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, this arrangement lets your students perform it on kazoos and Boomwhackers® or any keyboard or mallet percussion, such as Orff marimbas or xylophones.

There are three versions of the recording on the CD, beginning with the full performance version with kazoos, Boomwhackers®, full orchestra, pipe organ, and lots of spooky sound effects including the mandatory theremin which begins at bar 20. The accompaniment recordings come two ways: a version with the spooky sound effects and a version without them in case you want to perform this piece in a more straightforward fashion... and not near Halloween. The printed parts include the teacher's part as well as extracted parts for both kazoos and Boomwhackers®.

Kazoos - If you haven't used kazoos before, here are the basics: Don't assume that kids will automatically know what to do. For instance, many will try to put the kazoo in their mouth or blow in it. Instead, they should form a singing embouchure as though they are going to sing "ooh" or "oom" and keep their lips relaxed. Then, putting the short end to their lips, they should hum (not blow) against the end of the kazoo. The sound is produced by sympathetic vibrations causing the waxed paper in the resonator channel to move in along with the humming. For the best results, try using the syllables "doo" for longer tones and "doot" for shorter, more staccato notes. Practice these when warming up to be sure that everyone is doing it correctly. (Note: We have isolated the kazoo part and put it on our web site for you and your students to use when learning this piece. See the box that follows for more information.)

If you don't have kazoos, you can get them cheaply in lots of places, though may we suggest that before you load up on really cheap ones, try one or two first. Some of the imported ones out there have such cheap paper they won't get you to the performance. There are even fancy kazoos available, Well-made ones are available, from MusicK8.com and through our catalogs, but you can also make your own. We have published instructions on how to do this, and we have seen several formulas on the Internet. To see our approach to making kazoos, go to MusicK8.com and look under "Downloads" (then under "Other PDFs" towards the bottom), or in the "Idea Bank."

Boomwhackers® - These tuned plastic tubes (also referred to as BWs to keep things simpler) are one of the most enjoyable musical instruments for kids (and everyone else) to come along in a long time. This work can be performed with one or more sets of diatonic BWs, though we highly recommend including a set of bass diatonic BWs as they are much more resonant.

There are no rules for how to play a Boomwhacker®, but here's what we do:

• We usually play them by striking them on top of wooden stools. We have also seen them played by striking them on the floor. You can also strike your hand, your thigh, the wall, or any stable surface.
• Alternatively, one might strike a Boomwhacker® with something such as a mallet or a stick. Experiment. That's half the fun. They should be held firmly but not so much so that it chokes off the sound.
• Like other communal instruments, BWs can be germ carriers. So discourage students who try to make them into didjeridus, unless the BWs are newly sterile. They can be cleaned like any plastic instrument, though they are thin, so avoid extreme heat.

Performance Notes - Throughout the piece, when you hear the strings playing tremolo (as at bar 4), you may optionally have your players "roll" either by having one student holding the BW while another plays it with mallets, or by having each student have 2 BWs of the same pitch and alternate them like a drum roll.

At bar 14, you can have your kazoos sounds more like the original organ part by creating a "pyramid" with your players. As they ascend that great C# diminished chord (over the D pedal) have one or more students stop on each part and sustain it. It's easy to do and will sound great.

If your school allows such things, have the kids wear spooky costumes, even possibly doing eerie ghostly noises at bar 38 and maybe other sound effects elsewhere.

Extensions - By all means let your performers hear a version or two of the original Toccata And Fugue In D Minor. You can buy them online for 99 cents at iTunes and similar services. For the organ version, you can't beat E. Power Biggs, and the London Symphony arrangement is very impressive. The Canadian Brass version is also nice.

Discuss what "Toccata" and "Fugue" are. Perhaps do a lesson on Bach and if time, on the pipe organ, and maybe even watch one of the several good videos on Bach for children, such as Dennis Kobray's "Meet The Musicians" video on Bach. (This is also available through MusicK8.com)

Lastly, if you don't hang around the Internet much, we should tell you that "R. O. F. L." is chat/ e-mail shorthand for "Rolling On Floor Laughing." What amazing foresight the family had when naming Johann Sebastian's great nephew. :-)

Online extras - You will find the free, downloadable kazoo rehearsal tracks under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 17, No. 1 at MusicK8.com