[HANASHIR:3501] Re: trick those kiddos into singing

[Kim Moskowitz <kim...>]

Hey Abby!  How are you?  Did you have your baby yet?  You can e-mail me
privately if you like.  Thanks for the great advice.  It often works for
me to emphasize your vocal chords as a muscle that needs exercise as
well.  Teaching them a bit about singing correctly as you teach a song
helps them view singing as serious business that takes training and
makes them feel more important while singing (and less self-conscious)
and interested in participating.  This is especially effective with kids
ages 12 and up.  Take care and hope to hear from you soon.  
 
Kim Moskowitz ( kim (at) sja(dot)com <mailto:kim (at) sja(dot)com> )      

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael  <mailto:gostein (at) concentric(dot)net> and Abby Gostein 
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <mailto:hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>  
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 1999 5:39 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:3322] trick those kiddos into singing

Hi folks!
I have a trick that almost always gets a group of reluctant kiddos to
sing and do it with gusto. 
It is a trick because I think it distracts the kids from any issues of
power struggle that might be going on. It focuses on the physical act of
singing rather than on psychological/motivational reasons for singing or
avoiding singing.  
The first step is I try not to show personal frustration with them not
singing, but show concern for them that maybe they have never been told
what they need to do to make singing work.  I focus on being there to
help them because obviously they're having difficulty doing it right.
I simply tell them that there is a way to sing much better and stronger
than how they're singing at the moment.  I tell them it involves really
using your stomach muscles.  I have them shout out loudly (not
screeching) the first words they will sing, after showing them how
loudly I want them to do it by doing it myself.  They usually  get a big
kick out of getting to yell in class.  I remark to them that they were
indeed quite loud (if they were), or I have them try to do it even
louder if they're a bit reticent at first. If they shout well, I tell
them that was great and that if they can do that, they have the muscle
power to sing loudly, too.  Then I have them, with hands on stomachs, go
back and forth with one group of words, first shouting, then singing,
feeling what their stomach muscles feel like and how they can maintain
the power for singing.  Kids like to think they have strong muscles and
are showing off their muscular strength!
Just a thought --
Abby