2:50 Archives - Donna & Andy

Under My Bed is written in ABA form. The beginning and ending sections use the same melody, written in a major key. The B section shifts between major and minor tonalities, providing melodic contrast before returning to the A section. Locate the bars where the B section begins and ends.

TONALITY

Although there is a change in tonality in the B section, the key signature does not change. The tonality shift is created using accidentals.

Find the bars which include accidentals. Discuss which notes are affected and how the accidentals change the pitch of the notes.

FIRST AND SECOND ENDINGS

This two-verse song is written using first and second endings.
Look carefully at the score before singing to determine where the repeat sign is located (end of bar 37) and the bar to which you will repeat (go back to bar 1 and wait for the piano re-intro).

When you arrive at bar 35 the second time, you will jump to the second ending.

Expressive Singing

Find the bars which contain triplet figures. The three notes will sound a bit “lazy” as the notes are sung over a 2-beat portion of the bar.

Find the bars where there are tempo changes indicated. (Bars 23, 24 and 26). Use these tempo changes to emphasize the lyrics and create an expressive performance.

There are many natural places to breath written into the melody of Under My Bed. The melody also includes longer phrases. Notice where the longer phrases are and work on breath energy to support singing the phrase in one breath. If the phrase is too long to be comfortable for the singer, decide where a breath will be taken. Look closely at the lyrics to choose a spot that keeps the feeling of the lyric line intact. Mark your breathing spot in the score to assist consistent practice.

Find the dynamics written in the score. Use these dynamic contrasts as part of your expressive performance.

Composer's Notes

Under My Bed

Childhood memories are often a great source for song inspiration. As a young person I shared a room with my older sister. We were close in age but worlds apart when it came to our organizational skills and cleaning habits. At some point we discussed drawing a line down the middle of the room to keep the peace! If my sister wanted to buy something but was short on cash, she would pull everything out from under her bed and she was sure to find a bit of loose change. Strangely enough she grew up to be a very tidy housekeeper whereas I grew up to be a musician who would rather leave the housework for later so I could be creating music of some sort. Under My Bed captures a bit of that “stuff everything under the bed, out of sight out of mind” room-cleaning method I observed from my side of the room as a kid. We also have a younger brother so I understand the value of keeping stuff hidden, whatever it takes! I hope young singers have as much fun singing this dreamy song as I had writing it.

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When you have enjoyed singing this song and doing the activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

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Waiting Patiently for Santa

Andy Duinker — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 20:30:34 +0000

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Waiting Patiently for Santa

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Waiting Patiently for Santa.

Part of a song collection

Waiting Patiently for Santa is one of 12 songs from the song collection "It's Christmas Time". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students.

Purchase print copy from Amazon

Stream and purchase audio Tracks

Stream or Purchase Waiting Patiently for Santa (It's Christmas Time CD) from many streaming sites including:

Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The It's Christmas Time CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (20) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

Expressive singing

Read the lyrics aloud to become familiar with the story being told in this song.

Singers will need to use clear diction, dynamics, breath energy and facial expression to tell this humorous story.

The lyrics “I’m waiting, waiting, waiting patiently” are easy to remember, but it can be challenging to sing these tongue-twisting words! Clear diction is very important in these sections. Use dynamic contrast to create an expressive presentation of the repeated words.

Staging suggestions

Students may dress in pajamas, slippers, etc. as if they are ready for bed on Christmas Eve.

Add visual props like a large clock set to 1:25, a plate of cookies, etc.

If there is access to a video screen, create a series of photos with students creating a visual “snapshot” of what is happening in the song. Project the photos on a large screen as the students sing the song.

Performance preparation

Waiting Patiently for Santa has a lot of lyrics, and no breath marks are indicated in the score. Explore the score to find natural breaks in the story – ends of sentences or commas, where it sounds natural to take a breath. Add breath marks in the score to assist with consistent practice of the spots you have chosen to include a breath.

Small groups and choirs have support between singers. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the use of staggered breathing to create continuity of phrases.

Composer's Notes

Waiting Patiently for Santa

I have always enjoyed a good story-telling song. Waiting Patiently for Santa has a musical theatre type of vibe to it. When creating the story for this song I had fun thinking about all the things a child might do while trying to wait patiently for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve. The fun of singing “waiting” multiple times in tongue twister style was challenging to sing but allowed for the chorus not to add to the overall “lyric load” of the song. I introduced this song to my grade 5 classes for the school Christmas concert. We all had a wonderful time with the story, the singing was exuberant– and it was a hit with the audience.

For my school concert, I accompanied my singers with a cheery and lighthearted piano accompaniment. When we (Donna & Andy) were creating a Christmas CD, Waiting Patiently for Santa was included as one of the songs. As I contemplated the CD accompaniment I decided to use a brass ensemble of French horn, trombone and tuba paired with the banjo. I have always enjoyed the banjo, and I thought it was a fun addition to the overall feel. The brass instruments gave the accompaniment a solid but jaunty foundation and the banjo added a bit of whimsy.

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed singing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Please send us your performance video - we might be able to post it on this page!

Send us your video of Waiting Patiently for Santa and perhaps we can post it here.

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Star Above

Andy Duinker — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:20:25 +0000

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Star Above

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Star Above.

Part of a song collection

Star Above is one of 12 songs from the song collection "It's Christmas Time". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students.

Purchase print copy from Amazon

Stream and purchase audio Tracks

Stream or Purchase Star Above (It's Christmas Time CD) from many streaming sites including:

Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The It's Christmas Time CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (20) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

Discussion

Use Star Above as a discussion starter.

Discuss the meaning of the lyrics.

Expressive singing

Breath energy will be needed to support the long phrases in Star Above.

Discuss the places in the music where it makes sense to take a breath. Look for commas and ends of sentences and phrases for natural breathing spots. Sometimes a breath will need to be added quickly to ensure the long phrases can be managed.

Use dynamics and sensitive endings and beginnings of phrases to create an expressive performance.

Two-part singing

When singing Star Above as a two-part arrangement, be sure the melody line is the stronger part when harmony is added.

In the partner song section, when the melodies of Star Above and Great Big Stars are sung together, balance both melodies equally.

Extensions

French

Star Above has been adapted into French (Étoile du ciel). Older singers may enjoy learning both the English and the French versions as a language study.

Handbells

Details are provided in the PDF download describing how to achieve a “shimmering star” effect using handbells or metallophones.

Composer's Notes

Star Above is a reflective and personal song. It is heartfelt and serious with a strong message, although simply stated. When I discovered the American spiritual Great Big Stars in a music text book, I decided to insert it into my original song as a contrasting section. My students sang this two-song combination as a unison piece. One year when I was looking for a Christmas song for my choir to sing, the qualities of peace, hope, love and joy that are referenced in Star Above seemed to be a good fit so we changed “great big stars” to “Christmas star” and it became part of our Christmas repertoire.

We (Donna & Andy) included Star Above in the concert repertoire for our duo. It became a favourite song for us to sing and we recorded it on our Donna & Andy CD: It’s Christmas Time. In arranging the song for our mixed voices we determined that Andy would sing the opening original melody and I would sing the Great Big Stars section. When we started adding harmony, I realized that Great Big Stars would fit as a partner song with my melody with a few minor adjustments. The two songs became even more intertwined.

Star Above had its early beginnings with my school choirs and then it was recorded as a Donna & Andy song. It has continued its journey in the musical world by being included in the Royal Conservatory Voice Series as one of its exam pieces. It has been sung in many exams, music festivals, voice lessons and school concerts since its humble beginnings.

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed singing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Please send us your performance video - we might be able to post it on this page!

Star Above concert performance - starts at 6:30

French version - Étoile du ciel

Send us your video of Star Above and perhaps we can post it here.

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See You Later, Alligator

Andy Duinker — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:16:05 +0000

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See You Later Alligator

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the tracks for See You Later, Alligator

Part of a Song Collection

See You Later, Alligator is one of 10 songs from our Donna & Andy CD "A Jolly Bunch Are We". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection. Enjoy!

Stream and purchase Audio tracks

Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including:

Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The A Jolly Bunch are We CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (20) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

Teaching Tips

The length of the notes at the ends of phrases is "open for creative interpretation". Younger students may be more comfortable with shorter notes. Older students may be able to manage longer ones. When singing as a unison choir selection, longer notes are easier to sustain. A solo singer may prefer to shorten the notes a bit for vocal stability. When adding call and response or 2-part options, the final notes may be held to overlap the next phrase and create harmony, or you may prefer to get out of the way of the echo part that follows. Be creative, intuitive and let the performing ensemble and individual singers help make your musical decision about the length of the phrase ends! (As a composer, it is sometimes difficult to commit to one option and put it on paper as the final, FINAL and only way to sing something!

Discuss with students various ways to say goodbye. Not all goodbyes are sad or final. Some goodbyes are “for now” and others are more long term. This song has a cheery vibe.

Call and response echoes may be added to every section throughout the song. You may also decide to add the echoes in the choruses, or just in the verses, or a mixture. When deciding where to add echoes, think about building interest and variety into the song. Starting with unison is a good way to present the idea of the song. Adding in the responses in later choruses/verses helps create interest and creates momentum.

Performance Notes

See You Later, Alligator was sung as our all-school farewell finale at the spring concert. We divided the singers into two groups (there were over 200 singers!) and every phrase was sung with an echo. It worked well to add the actions which made it very obvious who was singing each part, and my job share partner led one group and I led the other.

There is a great deal of repetition in the song, so for variety there are other performing options. It works well to begin the song in unison for the opening chorus and first verse. When the chorus returns (in bar 33) divide the choir and begin singing the echoes. (Of course you can also opt to start the echoes in the first verse if you are going for more divisi work).

Continue singing the remainder of the song (choruses and verses) with echoes OR sing all the choruses using echoing and sing the verses in unison. There are lots of combinations!

Actions suggested by the composer

See you later, Alligator

- one hand wave (or wave both hands above the head)

in a while, Crocodile

- create a crocodile mouth: flat hand on bottom and curved fingers for teeth. Open and close the teeth with the beat.

See you in the elevator

- both hands, palms facing down and at waist level, moving up for two pulses and two pulses back down

Or floating down the Nile

- scoop both hands (palms facing down) in a wave-like motion

There is nothing any ...

- flat hands side to side and crossing (like umpire “safe” signal)

Greater

- two thumbs up

Than to see your cheery smile

- using thumbs up shape, start with thumbs together at your chin and move them upward to “draw” a smile

See you later, Alligator

- wave right hand

In a while, Crocodile

- crocodile teeth

If you gotta say goodbye

- hands on hips

Here’s a phrase for you to try

- both hands, open and palms up, forward motion like giving the audience an object

Out the door, Dinosaur

- thumbs pointing over shoulders, pulsing with the beat

Bye, bye, Butterfly

- cross hands with palms facing the chest and hook thumbs together to make a flying butterfly

Try a new one when you go

- hand with palm facing down, moving out and away from the body in an upward motion and out to the right (you will do the next action from the ending point of this motion)

Use it with someone you know

- point to various people from right to left

Better shake, Rattlesnake

- shake using “jazz hands”

Gotta go, Buffalo

- add index fingers “buffalo horns”

I will see you here and there

- hand out to one side, palm facing up, on the word “here” and the other hand out to the other side on the word “there”

We will meet again somewhere

- level hand above eyes like scanning the horizon, move head side to side as you look

I’ll be back,

- both thumbs point over your shoulders on the word “back”

Wolf pack

- both hands slap thighs on the word “pack”

Take care, Polar bear

- on the word “care” right hand crosses the body to rest on left shoulder (stay there). On the word “bear” left hand crosses the body to rest on right shoulder (create a hug)

(final) "crocodile"

- on sustained final note, move hands from crocodile mouth to open “jazz hands” keeping one hand low and the other high

Bye, Bye!

- wave

Colouring Page - Download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song See You Later, Alligator.

Composer's Notes

See You Later, Alligator

This song was composed as a farewell from me to “my children” the year I retired after 25 years as the music teacher in the same school. It was difficult to make the decision to leave and I wanted to acknowledge the need to say goodbye, but I didn’t want to be sad and forlorn about the process. I had been given a list of “see you later, alligator” sayings by my job-share partner and I had filed it away for later. That list sparked the ideas for the verses of the song.

We had moved into a new school building 8 years before I retired. My new music room was located on the stage, complete with an elevator! (The students and I were always amused to see the elevator door open and see a surprised person who thought they were arriving at the next floor, but found themselves face to face with our music class. We would always greet them and wave them on their way!) In any case, I decided to add that bit of music room “inside joke” by rhyming elevator with alligator. For those who do not reside in rooms with elevators, you will have to pretend that seeing your friend in the elevator or floating down the Nile are just two possibilities of the many places you might bump into each other in the future.

See you later, Alligator!

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed singing this song and doing the activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Please send us your performing video - we might be able to post it on this page!

Send us your video of See You Later, Alligator and perhaps we can post it here.

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It’s a Busy, Busy Time of Year

Andy Duinker — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 01:13:06 +0000

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It's a Busy, Busy Time of Year

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for It’s a Busy, Busy Time of Year

Performance Tips

Add brightly coloured presents to your performance. We used one gift for every three students. The gifts were hidden behind their backs while singing the opening of the song. During the instrumental section, students revealed their hidden gifts, passing them from row to row while miming their excitement at seeing friends and exchanging presents. It is a great way to include a bit of drama to a performance, and it lengthens the song without requiring a lot of additional words!

Instead of including gift passing, add some movement to the instrumental section – quiet stepping, scarves, or hand movements.

For the performance at my school, we began the song with two students “talking” to each other using two cans tied together with a string. This was an old game I used to play when I was young! The students thought it was a novel idea (in this day and age of texting!). Alternatively, two students could be chatting by cell phone for the opening sequence.

Add props such as hats and scarves, and some shopping bags filled with presents.

Composer's Notes

It’s a Busy, Busy Time of Year

I was driving and listening to the radio. Someone was being interviewed and the announcer thanked them for agreeing to give their time to do the interview at this “busy, busy time of year.” Later, in the same drive the announcer again said something about this “busy, busy time of year.” The phrase stuck in my head and when I arrived home I started to write this song. It can be very important to “stay tuned” to what is going on around you if you are going to write songs!

My song ended up with a show tune kind of vibe and I was excited to share it with my music students. We had fun trying to figure out the opening telephone sequence. The first detail we needed to clear up is whose voice we should hear first in the phone conversation. We realized that when the phone rings, the first person to speak is not the caller! After that, the back and forth conversation worked out okay. For our performance in the school concert we decided to add gift passing as part of the song. Students entered the performing space with small, colourfully wrapped presents hidden behind their backs. When we arrived at the instrumental section the students pretended to meet and greet friends, miming enthusiasm and passing gifts from row to row. They liked the bouncy tune, they enjoyed being able to add some drama, and the song was a hit!

You Are Invited

You are invited to send us your performance of It’s a Busy, Busy Time of Year.

Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.

When you have enjoyed practicing and performing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a review on this page. Thanks!

Composer, Elementary Music Specialist, Performer

Donna Rhodenizer

Donna has invested her creative energy into dozens of school Christmas concerts during her 37 years as an elementary music education specialist. While regular folks at home were putting up lights, decorating trees and wrapping presents, Donna's Decembers involved hanging giant snowflakes for gym decorations, moving sets of risers and sound gear from one end of the school to the other, and joyously teaching songs to her students to perform in the Christmas concert.

After school responsibilities concluded, there were family Christmas events - another flurry of activity! The busy pre-holiday season comes in many shapes and forms. Hopefully your activities bring you joy (and not stress) and you have time to relax and enjoy yourself at this busy, busy time of year!

Send us your video of It's a Busy, Busy Time of Year and perhaps we can post it here.

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Ed the Invisible Dragon

Andy Duinker — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 03:24:35 +0000

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Ed the Invisible Dragon

by Donna Rhodenizer

"Ed for Education"

Free Download

You are invited to download the complete Ed the Invisible Dragon package including 19 cross-curricular activities FREE when you use coupon code EDFOREDUCATION or edforeducation at checkout.

Free Download includes:

Vocal score
Director/piano score
Lyrics
Accompaniment – with melody guide
Accompaniment – piano
Donna & Andy band – instrumental track
Donna & Andy – performance track
Ed For Education – 19 Cross-curricular Activities

Enjoy!

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment + melody guide for Ed the Invisible Dragon.

Part of a Song Collection

Ed the Invisible Dragon is one of 12 songs from the Juno-nominated song collection "Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me" Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs using a variety of styles including a lullaby/tango, bluegrass, blues and pop in a variety of skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 122-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 12 songs. Enjoy!

Please note: audio tracks for the e-book version are sold separately. Print copies of the book include CD (24 tracks)

The print book (without CD) is also available on Amazon

Performance videos

Ed the Invisible Dragon has been performed by thousands of young vocal students and elementary school students around the world. You can see performance videos further down this page. Enjoy!

Stream and Purchase Audio Tracks / CD

Stream or Purchase Ed the Invisible Dragon from many streaming sites including: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer ...etc.

"Ed" is also available on the Donna & Andy CD Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me

Also:

Do an online search and find Ed the Invisible Dragon all over the internet.

19 cross-curricular activities

19 Cross-curricular activities are provided in the PDF download extending the focus of this song to other subject areas including:

Fine arts: music, visual art, and drama,
Physical Activity
Science
Technology

Colouring Page - download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song Ed the Invisible Dragon.

Composer's Notes

Ed the Invisible Dragon

I was blessed to be the mother of three boys. They were born two years apart, so when my third son was born I had three boys under the age of 4! My small house was not often quiet, nor was it tidy, even with daily efforts to keep the boys and toys contained. However, my active sons were great inspiration for me as a composer and many stories and songs were created as entertainment for my own children. Ed the invisible dragon was inspired by my chaotic house. I would find the living room full of scattered Lego pieces and half-finished creations. The boys would be nowhere in sight, having gone off to another activity in another location. When I would round them up and inquire, “Who made this mess?” the inevitable answer from ALL three boys would be, “Not me, Mom.” At some point we determined that someone invisible must be living in our house making messes and leaving them behind. Ed the invisible dragon was born at that moment.

The topic of Ed would come up as we were driving somewhere as a family. We would discuss Ed and all the things he would do that might cause trouble. By the time I decided to introduce Ed and his escapades to my elementary music students there were many verses. I honed it down to the final four that became Ed’s legacy, and the first group of students who sang it loved it. After Ed was performed by my students, other teachers inquired about obtaining a copy of the music and in 1993, Ed the Invisible Dragon was published and presented as part of a song collection. He has been traveling around the world ever since. Just like my own boys, he has grown up, had adventures independently of me, and has found his own niche in the musical world. He is pretty young for a dragon and I expect he will be around for a very long time.

NOTE: Ed the Invisible Dragon is one of the first songs I wrote for my students when I began teaching elementary school music in the mid 1980s. The song was first published in 1993 - Ed is now over 30 years old! (Although 30 years is really not very old for a dragon!)

Also available here

Ed the Invisible Dragon is also available at these links

Also an illustrated Children's book

After 30 years of Ed the Invisible Dragon as a song - "Ed" is now a book too!

Purchase on this our here or get your copy(s) on Amazon. Enjoy!

You Are Invited

You are invited to send us your performance of Ed the Invisible Dragon. Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.
Please drop by again and leave a Review of Ed the Invisible Dragon on this page. Thanks!

Included in this

12 Song Collection

More Song Collections

"Ed" is on this CD

"Ed" is in this book

Here are a few of many

Ed the Invisible Dragon performances - Enjoy!

Send us your video of Ed the Invisible Dragon and perhaps we can post it here.

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A Snake Tango Tale

Andy Duinker — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 03:11:07 +0000

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A Snake Tango Tale

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for A Snake Tango Tale.

Part of a Song Collection

A Snake Tango Tale is one of 10 songs from the Donna & Andy CD "A Jolly Bunch Are We".

Stream or Purchase audio tracks

Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including:

Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

Teaching Tips

Expressive Singing

Discuss how the use of dynamics or emphasized diction can assist in the expressive singing of this song.
Practice clear diction by speaking a few tongue twisters for a warm-up. Find tongue twisters that require strong and accented consonants.
e.g. - The tip of the tongue, the teeth, the lips.
- Twelve turtles take turns twirling.
- Twenty-two turtles tiptoe between the tulips
- Eat your cake, clean the plate
Sing with crisp consonants in the verses and legato, melodic phrases in the choruses to create contrast and interest for the listener.
The mood of this story is upbeat and expresses the joy the snakes experience when doing things they love, like dancing and dining out.

Discuss the Text

Maitre d'
tuxedo
sequins
hardwood

Research

An Argentinian Tango is mentioned in the lyrics but there are other types of tango's as well. Find a video sample to watch. Can you imagine two snakes doing this dance?

Colouring Page - Free download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song A Snake Tango Tale.

Composers Notes

A Snake Tango Tale

I like to think about things in ways that might be considered to be outside the box. I like to explore ideas that have a bit of a twist from the normal way of thinking. These are great things to develop when writing song lyrics. How can a story/song be created in a way that causes the listener to pause, to think, or to laugh? Animals can often be used to create lyrics that are fun – particularly when the animals do things usually only thought of as human activities. To go one step further, perhaps the animals are doing something that is contradictory to their nature. I think a song about an owl who is afraid of the dark could be fun. Or perhaps a fish who doesn’t like to swim would make a good song.

For some reason, I started thinking about snakes dancing. Who knows why these thoughts randomly pop up? I am not someone who likes snakes, so I am not sure why a snake entered my thought processes at all! In order to make a snake song work for me, my snake had to be charming and not at all reptile-like in his behaviour or his presentation. What if the snake were a ballroom dancer doing a tango? The title “A Snake Tango Tale” had a good feel to it and I liked the idea of the play on words between the “tale” and the “tail” of the snake. Ah yes, a song was starting to formulate. I grabbed some paper….

I decided my charming snake would like to go out for dinner and dancing and he would love to tango. When he called his girlfriend, it was Esmerelda who showed up. I wasn’t necessarily expecting her, but that is how some songs roll. Authors often talk about characters that seem to evolve on their own, outside the efforts of the writer. When I wrote, “He called his girlfriend,” the name Esmerelda fit into the music just at the right spot, and there she was! Of course it was crucial that she also loved to tango, so I got to decide that for her.

I had fun imagining their arrival at the restaurant – a fancy establishment with a maître d’ who took their coats and helped them get seated. There are several types of tango and I watched a few ballroom dancing videos to decide which type of tango my snakes would be dancing. Research is a very important part of the writing process, providing details that develop a thought or a plot that shapes the song. My research helped me determine that the Argentinian Tango was best suited to my dancing snakes. This tango involves close body contact at all times (helpful if the dancer has a single “leg” on which to balance) and we were off! The tango style of the music was part of the writing process and helped establish the feel of the melody line with its syncopated rhythms and sustained notes.

To be certain that the singer/listener knows that we are in a classy establishment, there is reference to “his black tuxedo and the sequins on her ball gown”. Plus, they are dancing on a hardwood floor. There are not many dance venues in my area, and the ones that offer a hardwood dance surface are in high demand from ballroom dancers. I have been at a few ballroom dances and I can vouch for how wonderful it is to dance on a hardwood floor.

As I worked on my tango tale, I imagined how humans would have tired feet after an evening of dancing so I applied that to my snakes. It made me laugh to think of these two snakes going home to “soak their aching feet” so I included that as a bit of a joke in the song.

The art for this song was also a joy to create. Richard Bennett, a music teaching colleague of mine, has loved to doodle and draw since he was a teenager. We contacted him to do artwork for us and it has proved to be a fun and rewarding collaboration. (You will see many of his pieces of art sprinkled throughout my published music). Richard was very patient as we talked through options: A snake with feet? A snake dancing without feet? I also was very sure I wanted my snakes NOT to be slimy reptiles, but rather, elegant dancers. We searched for samples of ballroom dancers, tango costumes, dress styles, and hair styles. There is a lot of research to be done when writing a song and/or creating art! I am delighted with the end results.

Some of the art process

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed singing this song and doing the activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review of A Snake Tango Tale. Thanks!

Please send us your performing video - we might be able to post it on this page!

Send us your video of A Snake Tango Tale and perhaps we can post it here.

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