Welcome to Episode 10 of the Doremi Teach podcast and today we’re going to share a song that helps prepare pulse and pitch and allows for improvisation

Hey Hey

Hey, hey look at me

I am singing can you see

Hello there and welcome to episode 10 of the Doremi Teach podcast. If you’re interested in teaching musical skills and literacy through singing then this is the place for you. My name is Helen Russell from Doremi Connect and I’m going to help you achieve your goals using the Kodály approach.

Hey Hey is one of the many songs and rhymes that feature in the Doremi Teach: Music curriculum. This one first features in the first Module exploring voice types but is reused over and over as we develop pulse, pitch and rhythm. Check out doremiconnect.co.uk for more details.

Benefits of Hey Hey

This song is used to prepare pulse and pitch and allows for improvisation

The toneset is mi-so with a range of a Minor 3rd so ideal for little voices and for nervous teachers

It uses the so-mi motif, which is the easiest for beginner singers to pitch accurately because it is used naturally in playgrounds all over the world, ner-ner ner-ner

It’s ideal for teaching the piano as we can play on any two black keys a skip apart     

It’s easy to transfer to tuned percussion – just find a minor third like D with F, E with G, A with C or B with D     

The game involves performing a variety of pulse actions so the pulse is experienced kinaesthetically     

The students choose the actions so there’s an element of improvisation

The rhythm is very simple, just using ta and titi or crotchets and quavers so this will reappear throughout the curriculum as we prepare and present rhythm

The Game

The first singing is straightforward, but then you change the action. So instead of singing we could have clapping and then you clap the pulse as you sing.

Hey, hey, look at me

I am clapping can you see

We could have waving, jumping, hopping, anything you like.

Get the children to suggest an action and then make it work! Remember to do really large actions for pulse actions so that they don’t accidentally perform the rhythm.

Make sure you let us know what you think of the rhyme, and if you use it in your lessons. You can get in touch with us through our website at doremiconnect.co.uk

Do share us with your colleagues if you’ve found it helpful

For more resources and free webinars on teaching music through singing make sure you visit doremiconnect.co.uk/freetraining for our latest opportunities.

I hope you have a lovely week, filled with music and singing.

You’ve been listening to the Doremi Teach podcast with Helen Russell from Doremi Connect. Helping you achieve your music teaching goals with the Kodály approach.