Welcome to Episode 9 of the Doremi Teach podcast and today we’re going to share a song that practises different voice types and encourages solo singing.

Tap, tap, tap

Tap, tap, tap

Who is that?

Only the witch's big black cat

Sh, sh, sh

Who is there?

Only a ghost behind the chair

Hello there and welcome to Episode 9 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.

Tap Tap Tap is one of the many songs and rhymes that feature in the Doremi Teach: Music curriculum. This one features in the first Module exploring voice types. Check out doremiconnect.co.uk for more details.

Benefits of Tap Tap Tap

• This song is used to explore different voice types and develop solo singing skills       
• The toneset is mi-so-la with a range of a Perfect 4th so ideal for little voices and for nervous teachers  
• It uses the so-mi and so-mi-la-so-mi motifs, which are the easiest for beginner singers to pitch accurately because they are used naturally in playgrounds all over the world, ner-ner ner-ner-ner
• In addition to the singing voice, it also uses the whispering voice so perfect for 4 to 7 year olds exploring their voices
• The form of the song is Question and Answer and the game is a guessing game where a student has to identify another by their voice, so even reluctant singers will want a turn to be “it”
• The rhythm is mostly very simple, just using ta and titi or crotchets and quavers although there are some semiquavers in there too, so I don’t usually use this for rhythm work

The Game

Everyone sings the questions but you choose two soloists to sing the two answers. A guesser is selected to close their eyes and identify which children were the soloists.

It’s so simple and is great value because three children get a role each time you sing.

This song is brilliant for getting the children to sing solo without realising. They don’t think about the fact they are singing on their own, only the fact that they are getting a turn at being the cat or the ghost.

A great opportunity for them to develop by stealth and you also get the chance to assess their sense of beat and pitch accuracy.

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.