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What is a Singing Game?

 

A singing game is an activity based around a particular verse or rhyme, usually associated with a set of actions and movements. They have been studied by folklorists, ethnologists and psychologists and are seen as important part of childhood culture.

 

Types of Singing Games

According to Wikipedia

 

Starting songs

Traditionally there were many calling rhymes, used to assemble players of a game. Singing games are often used as counting out or 'dipping' games, a means of starting a game by choosing special roles, usually by eliminating all but one player, most famously in rhymes like "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" and "One potato, two potato".

Circle sing games and dances

Some children's singing games may have their origins in circle dances, including Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and Nuts in May. The simplest, and perhaps the best known, circle dance is 'Ring a Ring o' Roses'.

Courtship and marriage games

A number of singing games deal with elements of courtship and marriage, like 'Skip to My Lou', which remained also an adult courtship song.  Perhaps the best known of wedding ring games, where players are chosen for various roles in married life, from a circle is The Farmer’s In The Dell.’

Clapping games

A clapping game is usually played by two players and involves clapping as accompaniment to a rhyme. Clapping games are found throughout the world and similar games may be known throughout large areas with regional variations. The rhyme helps the players carry out the complicated actions in time.

Skipping rhymes

A skipping or jump-rope rhyme, is a form of singing game chanted while using skipping ropes. Such rhymes have been recorded in all cultures where skipping is played. Examples of English-language rhymes have been found going back to at least the seventeenth century. Like most folklore, skipping rhymes tend be found in many different variations.

"Catching" games

In this game, two players make an arch while the others pass through in single file while singing a song. The arch is then lowered at the end of the song to "catch" a player. Perhaps the most common example of such a game involves the song "London Bridge is Falling Down." Similar games exist in other cultures as well. 

 

Why We Play Singing Games?

Taken from Sing a Song Dance With Me

Girl Guides of Canada Ontario Council, 1983

 

Because they are FUN!  Here are some of the benefits Singing Games offer:

1.       SOCIAL

Singing games demand cooperation as each individual is a vital part of the whole.  In some cases they will help provide opportunities for taking turns or being a good sport and certainly they will help girls of your unit know one another better.

2.       EMOTIONAL

Many find singing games a good change of pace activity for they release pent up energy and relieve tension.  A song idea acted out might often ease feelings of anger, sadness, etc. within an individual.  For the unit, singing games should provide a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

3.       INTELLECTUAL

In learning a singing game, the unit must use their listening skills, follow directions and remember a sequence of words and movements.

4.       PHYSICAL

Most singing games require a certain degree of individual physical coordination and provide opportunities for those not so well developed to practice and improve.

5.       INTERNATIONAL

Singing games are an ideal way to gain knowledge about other lands.  They usually reflect something of the life of the people and allow us to absorb a heritage of the past.  Playing a singing game of a particular country helps to foster a feeling of fellowship with Guides in other lands.

6.       MUSICAL

The words and music of traditional singing games are folk songs that have been handed down from generations to generation, surely a test of their value as good music.  They abound in rhythmic vitality and invite our rhythmic response.

 

How to Teach a Singing Game or Dance

 

Introduction

 

  • Tell the group the title of the Singing Game or Dance.
  • If you can give a little of the background history of the Singing Game or Dance, it adds interest.
  • Tell your singers the story contained in the Singing Game or Dance.
  • Suggest what mood you would like to create.

 

Methods of Teaching the Song

 

  • Present the song by singing it through.
  • A recording or tape of the song may be of help.
  • Next, say the words, first in poetic style, then in the rhythm of the music.
  • Learn the tune by singing it line by line.
  • Then sing the whole tune, putting the melody and words together.
  • Make sure the girls know the song well before teaching them the steps or actions

 

Methods of Teaching the Steps or Actions

 

  • Arrange your group into the designated formation of the singing game.
  • Demonstrate the movement - Present the steps or actions by singing the song through so they can see the end product (Teach a partner prior to the session for Demo purposes)
  • Teach the steps/actions in the same manner you taught the song, line by line
  • Then sing and add the steps/actions through the whole tune
  • Start off SLOW.  When the girls have learned the song and steps/actions very well, you can add the element of speed (i.e., Waddle Atcha)

 

REMEMBER:  These are Singing Games!  Ensure the girls sing!

Sometimes they get so focused on the actions or steps they forget to SING!

 

 

Interpretation

 

  • The most important thing in singing is to “tell a story.”
  • The words must be clearly enunciated and endings are so important. 
  • Begin to phrase your song.
  • Change your tone color to suit the words and mood.
  • Work for a good unified sound.
  • Try to blend the voices to sound as one.
  • Encourage singers to listen to the person on either side of them and keep their musical sounds alike.
  • The leader must give an accurate pitch and tempo.

 

 Resources to Help You Get Started

         

  • If you can get your hands on a copy of “Sing a Song Dance With Me” or “Musical Fun With the Brownie Pack grab them! 
  • Sing a Song Dance With Me was a Girl Guide publication put out by the Ontario Council in 1983.  It is one of the best resources I have found for Singing Games and Dances. 
  • Musical Fun With the Brownie Pack was a Girl Guides Association of UK publication 1976.  Again, it is chalk full of easy Singing Games for all ages.

Watch for them at Garage Sales, Flea Markets, etc.  These are GOLDEN resources!

 

  • Other great resource to get you started is Wee Sing and Play Musical games and rhymes for children - http://whttp://www.amazon.com/Wee-Sing-Play-Musical-Children/dp/B00853GZYYww.amazon.com/Wee-Sing-Play-Musical-Children/dp/B00853GZYYat resource for Sparks and Brownies and Sharon, Lois and Bram – Elephant Jam - http://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Spiralbound-Sharon-Lois-Bram/dp/0517573776

YouTube – Many entertainers and classroom teachers have created videos of groups doing all kinds of singing games and dances. 

 

Contact me….I have lots of materials in my resource library that I can share with you and I do sing over the telephone wires

 

Songs to Get You Started

 

Starting Songs

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo

 

Eeny, meeny, miny, mo,

Catch a tiger by the toe.

If he hollers, let him go,

Eeny, meeny, miny mo.

 

Icky Bicky

 

Icky, bicky soda cracker,

Icky, bicky boo,

Iky, bicky soda cracker.

Out goes you.

Hot Potato

 

One potato, two potato,

Three potato, four,

Five potato, six potato,

Seven potato, MORE.

 

Formation:  Girls stand in circle with fists held out in front of them.  One girl is ‘it.”

 

Action:  “It” pounds each fist in turn, including her own, in rhythm.  The first pounded on “MORE” is out.  This continues until one fist remains.

A, B, C, D

 

A, b, c, d, e, f, g,

h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p,

q, r, s, t,

U are out!

 

Circle Singing Games and Dances

 

Great Internet Resource – Beth’s Note.com - http://bethsmusicnotes.blogspot.ca/2012/12/circle-games.html

 

Country Dance

Shake Them ‘Simmons Down

Jingle at the Window

 

Courtship and Marriage Games

There’s a Brown Girl in the Ring

A-Tisket, A-Tasket

The Farmer in the Dell

 

Clapping Games

 

Great Internet Resource – Fun Clapping.com - http://www.funclapping.com/

 

Perolita

Wadlee Atcha

Sodeo

 

Skipping Games

 

Wee Sing and Play Musical games and rhymes for children has a great selection of Skipping Games and Ball Bouncing Rhymes - http://whttp://www.amazon.com/Wee-Sing-Play-Musical-Children/dp/B00853GZYYww.amazon.com/Wee-Sing-Play-Musical-Children/dp/B00853GZYYat resource for Sparks and Brownies

 

Catching Games

The Grand Old Duke of York

Caimarusa

 

 Singing Games for All Ages

 

Singing Game or Dance

Resource

Type

Norwegian Number Game (Norway)

Jubilee Song Book

Circle

Dutch Shoe Game (Netherlands)

Jubilee Song Book

Circle

T.I.R.O.

Songs for Canadian Girl Guides / Our Cabana

Circle

A Song Without Words (Germany)

Songs for Canadian Girl Guides / Our Cabana

Circle

I Let Her Go, Go (Trinidad)

Our Cabana / Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Double Circle

Hey, Hey, Hey, Jubilee Hey (Sri Lanka)

Our Cabana

Clapping

Running Game (Belgium)

Our Cabana

Circle

‘Simmons (Alabama)

Songs to Sing & Sing Again

Dance

Planting Rice (Philippines)

Songs to Sing & Sing Again

Double Circle

Shoo, Fly, Don’t Bother Me (USA)

Songs to Sing & Sing Again

Circle

Four Jolly Blacksmiths (Germany)

Songs to Sing & Sing Again

Clapping

Who Stole My Chickens?

Songs to Sing & Sing Again

Clapping

Clapping Game (We Who Have Come Here)

Celebrate With Song

Circle

Hey There Neighbour

Celebrate With Song

Double Circle

Four White Horses

Celebrate With Song

Clapping

John Kanaka

Celebrate With Song

Double Circle

One Can Run Very Swiftly

Sing A Song With Sparks & Brownies

Square

Jingle Bells

Sing A Song With Sparks & Brownies

Circle

Thorn Rosa

Sing A Song With Sparks & Brownies

Circle

If You Should Meet an Elephant

Sing A Song With Sparks & Brownies

Double Circle

Country Dance

Sheet

Double Circle

Sodeo

Sheet

Clapping

Wadlee Atcha

Campfire Activities

Clapping

Dum Dum Da Da

Campfire Activities

Clapping

Punchinello (France)

 

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Circle

Shoo Fly (USA)

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Circle

Caimarusa (Columbia)

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Two Lines

The Jolly Miller (England)

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Circle

The Seven Capers (Netherlands)

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

Rig-a-Jig-Jig (England)

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

Brownie Friend-marker Song

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Circle – Chain

Three Blind Mice

Musical Fun with the Brownie Pack

Rectangle

The Muffin Man

Sing a Song Dance With Me / Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

A-Hunting We Will Go

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Two lines

Nuts In May (England)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Two lines

Pop Goes the Weasel

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Sets of 3

The Dancing Lesson (Netherlands)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Two Lines

The Big Ship (Scotland)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

One Line

Hol’ Yo’ Han’ (Jamaica)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Double Circle

Bow Belinda (USA)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Couples

The Igloo (Canada)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Square Set

The Snail or Winding The Clock

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

The Elephant (France)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

Oh!  Susanna (USA)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

London Dance (USA)

Sing a Song Dance With Me

Double Circle

Pawpaw Patch (USA)

Wee Sing Fun ‘n’ Folk / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Two Lines

Buffalo Gals (USA)

Wee Sing Fun ‘n’ Folk

Double Circle

Turkey in the Straw

Wee Sing Fun ‘n’ Folk

Circle

Jingle at the Window

Wee Sing Fun ‘n’ Folk / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

The Farmer in the Dell

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

The Grand Old Duke of York

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Two lines

Drop the Handkerchief

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

‘Round the Village

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

London Bridge

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Two Lines

Blue Bird

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

The Merry-Go-Round

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

Did You Ever See a Lassie?

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

Jimmy Crack Corn

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

Skip to My Lou

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Circle

Oats, Peas, Beans

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle


Long Legged Sailor

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Clapping

A Sailor Went to Sea

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Clapping

Miss Mary Mac

Wee Sing and Play Musical Games and Rhymes for Children

Clapping

Sur le pont d’Avignon (France)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

Going to Kentucky

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Looby Loo (USA)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Cheerio

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

 

Little Sally Saucer (USA)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Old Roger (England)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam / Sing a Song Dance With Me

Circle

Dr. Knickerbocker

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Bassez Down (West Indian)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Punchinello 47

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

Brown Girl in the Ring (West Indian)

Sharon, Lois and Bram-Elephant Jam

Circle

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I'm gonna clap my hands, 1, 2, 3,
I'm gonna dosey doo, just follow me,
I'm gonna swing my partner and shout YAHOO!
That's how the country dance goes!