Down in the Valley is a fantastic song for introducing the blues scale to your elementary music students. The accompanying motions are easy to teach and the “Let me see you make a motion” section adds an element of creativity to the otherwise structured movements. If you’re looking for more examples of songs with a blues scale, check out The Telephone Song.
DOWN IN THE VALLEY SONG RECORDING
DOWN IN THE VALLEY SONG NOTATION
PARTNER GAME
This game can be played with partners or as a circle game with the focus being on the two students in the middle. I prefer the partner game, so that’s what I’ll be describing below:
- Down in the valley, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Partners grab hands (or scarves) and twist to the beat as they slowly crouch down
- Down in the valley, two by two, now rise, Sally, rise
- Partners rise up as the words indicate
- Let me see you make a motion, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Let me see you make a motion, two by two, now rise, Sally, rise
- One partner makes a motion while the other student copies it
- Let me see you make another one, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Let me see you make another one, two by two, now rise, Sally, rise
- Now the other partner makes a motion
- Now choose somebody, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Now choose somebody, two by two, now rise, Sally rise
- Students quickly find another partner
- The game repeats in this manner until the last verse
- (Last verse, last time only) Everybody make a motion, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Everybody make a motion, two by two, now rise, Sally, rise
- all students make a motion
- Everybody make another one, two by two, my baby, two by two, my baby, two by two
- Everybody make another, two by two, now rise, Sally, rise
- all students make another motion
Here’s an example of this game being played by college students:
ADD RHYTHM OSTINATOS
The song’s repetition makes it great for composing short rhythmic ostinatos. When it comes to student composition, I think it’s important to start with small projects. Students have a better chance of being successful and engaged if the composition project has a balance of structure and choice. For example, composing a two-measure ostinato on the rhythm instrument of their choice has more potential for success than asking students to compose a rhythm pattern that’s eight measures long using rhythm sticks.
Here’s an idea for whole class compositions:
- Have the whole class compose three ostinatos in total (two measures each), or however many you think they can perform successfully, and write the ostinatos on your interactive whiteboard
- Assign a rhythm instrument or body percussion to each ostinato.
- Ostinato 1: Clap
- Ostinato 2: Tambourine
- Ostinato 3: Woodblock
- Have students practice their ostinatos in groups; first without instruments, then with
- Finally, come together as a class to perform the piece