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    Simple Gifts: American Shaker Hymn

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    supibobo
    This document provides information about the American Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts". It discusses teaching the song to students by first providing background on the Shaker religious group. It recommends singing the song phrase by phrase and using hand motions. It also suggests accompanying the song with instruments like autoharp or dulcimer. Students can learn movements to perform with the song in trios. The document notes how composer Aaron Copland used the tune in his ballet Appalachian Spring, varying the theme through orchestration changes. It provides ideas for listening and having students notate Copland's variations. Finally, it suggests having students compose their own theme and variation pieces in small groups.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Simple Gifts: American Shaker Hymn

    Uploaded by

    supibobo
    391 views3 pages
    This document provides information about the American Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts". It discusses teaching the song to students by first providing background on the Shaker religious group. It recommends singing the song phrase by phrase and using hand motions. It also suggests accompanying the song with instruments like autoharp or dulcimer. Students can learn movements to perform with the song in trios. The document notes how composer Aaron Copland used the tune in his ballet Appalachian Spring, varying the theme through orchestration changes. It provides ideas for listening and having students notate Copland's variations. Finally, it suggests having students compose their own theme and variation pieces in small groups.

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    american folk religious song

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    SimpleGifts

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    This document provides information about the American Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts". It discusses teaching the song to students by first providing background on the Shaker religious group. It recommends singing the song phrase by phrase and using hand motions. It also suggests accompanying the song with instruments like autoharp or dulcimer. Students can learn movements to perform with the song in trios. The document notes how composer Aaron Copland used the tune in his ballet Appalachian Spring, varying the theme through orchestration changes. It provides ideas for listening and having students notate Copland's variations. Finally, it suggests having students compose their own theme and variation pieces in small groups.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    391 views3 pages

    Simple Gifts: American Shaker Hymn

    Uploaded by

    supibobo
    This document provides information about the American Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts". It discusses teaching the song to students by first providing background on the Shaker religious group. It recommends singing the song phrase by phrase and using hand motions. It also suggests accompanying the song with instruments like autoharp or dulcimer. Students can learn movements to perform with the song in trios. The document notes how composer Aaron Copland used the tune in his ballet Appalachian Spring, varying the theme through orchestration changes. It provides ideas for listening and having students notate Copland's variations. Finally, it suggests having students compose their own theme and variation pieces in small groups.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Simple Gifts

    American Shaker Hymn

    ADA Compliant – 11/2018


    Lyrics: ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free.
    ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.
    And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
    It will be in the valley of love and delight.
    When true simplicity is gained.
    To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
    To turn, turn will be our delight,
    Till by turning, turning we come round right

    SINGING
    Introduce this song first by giving students information about Shakers. This religious group
    wrote thousands of songs. but this is probably the best known. The principles of their religion
    included love, peace, purity, justice, and simplicity. If you have a recording of this song, let the
    students listen to the recording. (It can be found in both the Silver Burdette and Macmillan
    music series.) If not, sing all the way through the song. Discuss the words. The Shakers got their
    name because of their movements and dancing during worship so the "tum, tum" refers to
    these movements. This song is best taught a phrase at a time. Shaping the phrase with large
    semi-circle hand motions may help give the students the connected feeling of the phrase.
    When the students are very familiar with the song, you can have some students sing a chord
    accompaniment on a "loo" syllable while others sing the melody. (See music.)
    PLAYING/MOVING
    This song can be easily accompanied with an autoharp, or a dulcimer to provide a simple
    authentic style accompaniment. The Shakers were known for their dancing, but they did not
    dance in partners. Dancing in trios with the men and women separated was most common.
    Movement: Form rows of three boys and girls. In measures 1-16 take three steps forward then
    close. Circle in place to right four steps. Take three steps back and close. Circle in place to left
    four steps. In measures 17-32 step-close-step twice to the rhythm of two eighths-quarter note.
    Bow for two beats and straighten for two beats. Circle in place to right four steps. Circle left
    four beats.
    LISTENING
    American composer Aaron Copland used this tune in his ballet score Appalachian Spring. Once
    the students know the song, they will enjoy listening to it in the suite. The action of the ballet.
    set in Pennsylvania in the spring, centers around a new farmhouse. The "Simple Gifts" theme
    which comes in the form of theme and variations occurs near the end. Have the students listen
    and discuss ways Copland varied the theme to create interest. He changes instrumentation,
    dynamics. tempo, rhythm and harmonies. Help the students make a listening map of the song,
    notating ways Copland changed the tune with each variation. Composition outline ... Theme:
    ADA Compliant – 11/2018
    Clarinet solo with flute Bridge Variation 1: duet by oboe & bassoon Bridge Variation 2:
    augmented theme (doubling of note values) done in canon format Bridge Variation 3: brass
    with march-like feel & fast notes in violin Bridge Variation -I: full orchestra, majestic with
    augmentation Coda: slower & more peaceful.
    CREATING
    Have the students create their own theme and variation piece. Divide the class into small
    groups and give each group at least one instrument that can play a melody like piano, tone
    bells. recorder. or xylophones and some percussion instruments. Choose a simple tune like
    "Twinkle. twinkle·· or "'Hot Cross Buns". Let the students make up one or two variations.
    CURRICULUM CONNECTION: (Social Studies/Language Arts)
    Learn about the Shakers. They were well known for the high quality of their crafts. Today the
    simple lines of their furniture are still very popular. Locate pictures of Shaker furniture.
    buildings, and crafts. Have students draw pictures of one of the items. Write stories about the
    item from the point of view of the item itself…how it came to be. how it was used, how it
    "feels"' now.

    ADA Compliant – 11/2018

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