“I wish I had learnt music this way”
Alex Western-King - Saxophonist (Little Mix, Snarky Puppy, Blue)
DaCapo Primary Music’s combination of Kodály and Eurhythmics is building a generation of strong, independent musicians.
Explore our unique methods below.
Learning the song
Our especially commissioned songs form the foundation for everything we teach at DaCapo. We must therefore start by learning them!
The picture which accompanies each song is the starting point and instead of telling the children the words of a songs, the pictures are used and questions are asked to get them to think what the song is about. Once the vocabulary is learned and understood there is more chance of the children singing with meaning.
The picture also acts as an aide-mémoire in future and they can recall a song by seeing the picture. The examples of the songs are sung by children and at a pitch that they will be able to sing accurately (this strand develops through the resource, expanding pitch range and vocal capacity.)
Rhythm
We start to teach reading of music notation via rhythm cards. By separating rhythm and pitch children will learn all aspects of music thoroughly and clearly with no room for misunderstanding.
The rhythm cards show that symbols can represent sounds and in this case, rhythms. The examples are spoken before the children repeat them, ensuring accuracy. They can be repeated as many times as required.
Once children are comfortable with all of our different rhythmic animals. they will seamlessly transition onto stick notation. This resembles traditional means of notating music.
Our technology ensures that children will progress though these stages only when they are ready.
Coordination
This module gets children up and moving, connecting listening with movement and helping them to internalise concepts learned in other parts of the lesson.
“Do you know why I can play a gallop on the drum? Because I can gallop” Sophie, aged 4.
Moving to a live recordings of our partners the Fantasia Orchestra, children listen to the sound of the piano and other instruments. They respond with movement and learn to control their gross motor skills and, eventually, fine motor skills which will be needed to be able to play instruments in the future.
Listening
This module is designed to help children to listen critically and develop an understanding of how different instruments fit within an ensemble.
The music that is played will be recognised - they are arrangements of the songs which they are learning - with added humorous elements!
………..
“I was at the school pre-DaCapo; I can say that listening in the classroom has vastly improved as the children can pick up on small nuances due to the music.
The two part listening that they do in music means that their concentration goes up a level. This means that they can focus in a class when two or more things are going on.” Upper KS 1 Teacher who has seen the 6 years of DaCapo Music in the school. Wessex Gardens Primary School, London.