Smile (vocal version)

VIDEO DESCRIPTION:

Play, download and edit the free video Smile (vocal version).

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

This song can be performed in many different ways. One option is to create a range of characters to rap the verses and have the whole class join in the chorus. The chords are suitable for young ukulele or guitarists.

Whichever way they present this song, the students will need to practise the modulation from one key to another in the repeated chorus at the end. (D major to E major) Encourage clear diction because it is important that all the words come across clearly and easily.

It’s useful for the children to know how composers go about writing their songs: For this song Phil, the composer, says: "the idea for the song came from a conversation with a friend about the chaos that sometimes happens when it's time for the annual school photos. I started with a drum loop from my sampler and kept it running in the background while I played around with lyrical ideas, until I had a walking and jumping feel for the metre of the song. I knew I wanted a spoken rap type of feel in the verses to contrast with a catchy, sung chorus. The bass, guitar, and keyboard stabs on the offbeats are in a reggae style and always give a cheeky, cheerful bounce to a funny track."

For more teaching suggestions go to
artsonline.tki.org.nz/Teaching-and-Learning/Secondary-teaching-resources/Music-Sound-Arts/Units-and-sequences/Into-Music-1-Classroom-Music-in-Years-1-3

For support with teaching ukulele go to
nzukulele.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZUT-Teacher-Handbook-copy.pdf

For further resources and support go to
- menza.co.nz/
- onza.nz/
- nzukulele.org.nz/

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