Musical Place of the Week

Each week in music class we will be discussing a new place from somewhere in the world. Cities, states, countries, and continents will be discovered A-Z, and their music will give us lots of fun sounds to listen to and things to talk about. Get excited, because this year in music will be like a trip around the world!

Stop 1: Australia
How to Say Hello: G'day Mate!
Special Points of Interest: Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, The Outback
Instruments: Aboriginal Clap Sticks, Didgeridoo
Highlighted Songs: Instrument and vocal pieces featuring the didgeridoo, "Down Under" by
                              Men at Work

Stop 2: Bulgaria
   How to Say Goodbye: Pronounced "Du-veesh-ta-nee"
   Special Points of Interest: Traditional Clothing, Mountains
   Instruments: Tambura (strummed string instrument), Kaba Gaida (Bulgarian Bagpipes), and the
                       Kaval (woodwind that sounds like a flute)
   Highlighted Songs: Triti Puti and Krivo Horo from "Village Music of Bulgaria"

Stop 3: China
   How to Say Hello: Ni Hao
   How to Say Music: Yin Yue
   Special Points of Interest: People, The Great Wall of China
   Instruments: Woodwind, Percussion and Plucked/Bowed Strings- Focus on the gong and shamisen
                       (a square strummed instrument with three strings similar to the guitar or banjo)
   Highlighted Songs: "China's Instrumental Heritage" Selections, Music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden
                               Dragon, Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas, and Kodo by the Yashida Brothers
                               (instrumental version and as seen in Wii commercial)

Stop 4: Dominican Republic
   How to Say Hello: Hola
   Special Points of Interest: Merengue and Bachata (dances)
   Instruments: Tambora (double-headed drum), Guiro (wooden scraped percussion instrument),
                       Guitarro, Maracas, Güira (metal scraped percussion instrument), Accordion
   Highlighted Songs: El Merengue Se Baila Pegao

Stop 5: Egypt
   How to Say Hello: Alaykum
   Special Points of Interest: Pyramids, the Sphinx
   Instruments: Mizmar (Egyptian version of oboe), Darabukka (drum), and Tambura (5 String Lute)
   Highlighted Songs: Manami and Nugumi (Vocal and Instrumental), and Ya Rab Toba (Instrumental)

Stop 6: France
   How to Say Hello: Bonjour/ Goodbye: Au Revoir
   Special Points of Interest: Eiffel Tower, Maudits Sonnants Performance Group
                                      Check out the performance group HERE!
   Instruments: Accordion
   Highlighted Songs: La Mer, End Creditouilles from Ratatouille, Symphonie Fantastique by Hector
                               Berlioz

Stop 7: Greece
   How to Say Hello: Yiassou
   Special Point of Interest: The Parthenon
   Instrument: Bouzouki-- A guitar-like instrument with 8 strings
   Highlighted Songs: Zorba's Dance, Oniro Demeno, Aponi Zoi, To Pallikari Kaimo, Vraho Vraho,
                               Varka Sto Yalo, I Margarita I Margaro, etcetera

Stop 8: Hungary
How to Say Hello: Jó napot
Special Point of Interest: The Royal Palace and Danube River
    Instruments: Hammer-Dulcimer, Hit Gardon, and Jaw Harp
    Highlighted Songs: Hungarian Song and Dance, Gypsy Tango, Hora Staccato

Stop 9: India
    How to Say Hello: Namaste
    Special Point of Interest: Taj Mahal, Bollywood
    Instrument: Sitar
    Highlighted Songs:Jai Ho, Millenium Masti Mix, Jaspinder Narula

Stop 10: Japan
    How to Say Hello: Konnichiha
    Special Point of Interest: Pagodas
    Instrument: Koto
    Highlighted Songs: Haru-No-Kyoku

Stop 11: Kazakhstan
    How to Say Thank You: Rahmet
    Instrument: Shankobyz (Jaw Harp) and Dombra
    Highlighted Songs: Konyr Kaz, Sary Ozen, Kara Zhorga

Stop 12: Louisiana
    Special Point of Interest: Jackson Square
    Special Holiday: Mardi Gras
    Instrument: Washboard as used in Zydeco music
    Highlighted Songs: Mardi Gras Zydeco, Basin Street Blues to investigate jazz and           zydeco instrumentals

Stop 13: Mexico
    How to Say Hello: Hola
    Special Point of Interest: Mariachi Band
    Instruments: Guittaron, Vihuela, Accordion, Violin, Trumpet (La Trompeta)
    Highlighted Songs: Guadalajara, El Rey

Stop 14: Ocean
    Special Point of Interest: Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
    Concept: Echolocation- Sounds produced by dolphins & whales to help they find their way & food.
    Highlighted Songs: Relax with the sound of whales