Pages

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Kokoleoko

As my theme this year is "Music Around the World," I've been looking into lots of different folk songs from around the world.  I found this little gem, Kokoleoko.  I've found it in several different places, all slightly different versions.  The version below is the most common, found in "Spotlight on Music, Grade 5," as well as several South American sources.

If you change one note of this song (the f sharp to an a), it is a great recorder piece - using only the notes G-A-B-C, as shown in this example:

The translation is pretty simple.  Apparently "Kokoleoko" is just another way of saying "cock-a-doodle-doo," and "ahby" is "goodbye."

Now, each source I find this song says something different about where exactly it's from.  Most often, they say either Liberia or Ghana.  So, I've just labeled it as a West African folk song to be more accurate.

Anyway, this song is great for teaching the half note, which I do in 2nd grade.  We spend awhile preparing, using songs that have half notes, before actually labeling what they are.  This song is also great if you bring it back in the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th, or whenever you teach syncopation.

There is a clapping game that goes with this.  It looks more complicated than it actually is.  My 2nd graders are challenged by this, but really enjoy doing it.  You can watch an example below:




I recently made a Teachers Pay Teachers product for this song that has rhythmic practice slides, melodic practice slides, clapping game instructions, and notation for both voice in the original version and recorder in the revised version.






There is even a great treble choral arrangement out there by Mary Donnelly and George Strid.  Here's a cute recording I found of it on YouTube:

Hope you can find use for this great song!  My kids are absolutely loving it :)

31 comments:

  1. So cool!! I sing this in my choir!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So cool!! I sing this in my choir!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi there!! I'm gonna act out this song, with my little musicians, and I was looking for information, about its origin. You've been of GRAAAAADE help. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love finding songs I've never heard before! I'm not sure how I feel about finally tackling the clapping games at my school but we will see.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree that this is a nice find. Will have fun with my G3 kids :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i read a lot of stuff and i found that the way of writing to clearifing that exactly want to say was very good so i am impressed and ilike to come again in future.. verzuz tv live online free stream

    ReplyDelete
  7. future you will proceed after sharing such a magnificent post.
    watch grammys live stream

    ReplyDelete
  8. has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share.
    Watch bonnaroo 2021 live stream

    ReplyDelete
  9. favorite’s blog site list and will be checking back soon…
    Watch The Oscars

    ReplyDelete
  10. can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!
    Miss Universe 2022 Live

    ReplyDelete
  11. nice bLog! its interesting. thank you for sharing....
    Watch Verzuz Battle Live

    ReplyDelete
  12. insufficient to chat on such subjects. To the following. Salud.
    Watch Verzuz Battle Live

    ReplyDelete
  13. reader even more on the actual way of earning money,
    Watch Verzuz Battle Live

    ReplyDelete
  14. and it should go into my collection. Very good work!
    Watch Verzuz Battle Live

    ReplyDelete
  15. an obligation of appreciation is all together for the post.
    Cable Live Stream

    ReplyDelete
  16. is really cool and this is a great inspiring article.
    Bad Bunny Concert

    ReplyDelete
  17. Please, keep this work going on in the same quality.
    Watch Ball Drop 2022 Live

    ReplyDelete
  18. Discover when and where you can observe All American scenes live with TV Guide's full TV postings plan. All American

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jennifer Love Hewitt Plastic Surgery: What You Know and What You Don't Bad Bunny Braids: A Look At His Most Memorable Braid Style. The Best Pomsky For Sale Under 500: A Guide To The Top Picks. Can You Watch The Ball Drop Online: A Complete Guide. Best Time to Attend The Mummers Parade in Philadelphia. Megan Fox Plastic Surgery: The Truth Abobut Here Transformation.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Verzuz TV Online: What You Know and What You Don't Bad Bunny Braids: A Look At His Most Memorable Braid Style. The Best Pomsky For Sale Under 500: A Guide To The Top Picks. Can You Watch The Ball Drop Online: A Complete Guide. Best Time to Attend The Mummers Parade in Philadelphia. Megan Fox Plastic Surgery: The Truth Abobut Here Transformation.

    ReplyDelete