Submitted by Patricia Bellar, Hickory, North Carolina

Idea posted October 9, 2003

Here's a little ditty I made up and have enjoyed using with first and second grades the week during their first music class.

Mr. Music
(Tune: "BINGO!")
Use chart or cards with letters printed for: M U S I C
(I wrote the rhythm on the back of each card.)
Process:
  •  Teach first verse.
  •  Pass out unpitched instruments.
  •  The instruments mentioned in the second line are the ones played for each verse.

There was a man who had a band,
Mr. Music was his name-o.
M - U - S - I - C,
M - U - S - I - C,
M - U - S - I - C,
Mr. Music was his name-o.
There was a man who had a band,
the sticks played together.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, etc.
Oh, music is such fun!
There was a man who had a band,
the drums played together.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, etc.
Oh, music is such fun!
There was a man who had a band,
the triangles played together.
Ring, ring, ring-a-ling, etc.
Oh, music is such fun!
There was a man who had a band,
the shakers played together.
Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh, etc.
Oh, music is such fun!
There was a man who had a band,
they all played together.
(no singing, just playing)
Oh, music is such fun!