[HANASHIR:7018] Re: appropriate keys

[Rachelle and Howard Shubert <notfranz...>]

Adam,

Preschool children usually function best in a small range of an octave or
less, ideally between the notes middle C up to A.  I find that I play in the
key of D a lot with young kids. Short and repetitive songs which stay in the
key work best for this age and pentatonic songs are ideal.

Try to keep within an octave in K-2.  After that you can expand up.
Remember not to sing low since young kids will not be able to sing with you
in tune.  As they get older you will find that you can expand the range down
a few notes and up a tenth or so from middle C as long as you don't linger
in that range.  These are guidelines for songleading, not choral work where
the kids are in Soprano and Alto sections.

Rachelle Shubert



----- Original Message -----
From: Adam Griff <agg3 (at) po(dot)cwru(dot)edu>
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2000 3:56 PM
Subject: [HANASHIR:7011] appropriate keys


> Is there a general rule of thumb for what keys/capo settings to use for
> different age groups?  I work primarily with grades k-6, but also
> occasionally with preschool and high school kids as well.  Any guidelines
or
> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Adam Griff
>
>
>

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