Classical Kids Music Lessons: Dance party!
Need ideas for easy and fun at-home music learning? Here's our daily Classical Kids Music Lesson.
Target age range: Grades K-2
1. A lot of music makes us want to move. Dance along with many different kinds of music. Start with a few questions.
• What do you think of when you think of dance music?
• Do you think dance styles have changed over time?
• What do you think dancing was like in the year 1700? 1800? 1900? 2000?
• Do you think dance styles might be different in different parts of the world?
2. Listen to the following pieces. Dance along!
• This is some music from the Democratic Republic of Congo:
LISTEN — Malembe
Siama Matuzungidi
Siama's Congo Roots
• 'Mambo,' from West Side Story, by Leonard Bernstein:
LISTEN — Mambo, fr West Side Story
Leonard Bernstein
Nashville Symphony Orchestra; Kenneth Schermerhorn, conductor
• Here is some dance music from a LONG time ago: 1692. It's called "Dance for the Fairies." Maybe the title will inspire some of your dance moves.
• 'Russian Dance,' from the Nutcracker, by Peter Tchaikovsky:
• Minuets were a very popular dance style long ago. Here is one by Beethoven:
• The fourth movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony might not have been composed with dancing in mind, but it's impossible to sit still when listening to this:
• Here is one more to completely tire you out:
Happy Dancing!
Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.
More: View all of our daily Classical Kids Music Lessons
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