Level 1

Folk Songs

Range: Low F to open F. Uses B-flat and B-natural

Download the book of folk songs HERE!

Hot Cross Buns in C Major  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
Hot Cross Buns in G Major  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
Mary Had a Little Lamb in C Major LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
Mary Had a Little Lamb in G Major LESSON PLAN // MUSIC //  LISTEN
Fais Do Do in C Major  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
Fais Do Do in G Major  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC //  LISTEN
Lightly Row in G Major MUSIC 
Lightly Row in F Major MUSIC 
Twinkle Twinkle in F Major LESSON PLAN // MUSIC
Twinkle Twinkle in G Major LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
London Bridge LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
French Folk Song MUSIC 
Yankee Doodle  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
​Ring Around the Rosy   LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN
Song of the Wind MUSIC 
Joy to the World  LESSON PLAN // MUSIC // LISTEN

Students should learn these songs by ear in this manner: the teacher models the song, and then the teacher and student sing it together. Then, the teacher demonstrates the new fingering. Students should be encouraged to “sound out” the song, not just memorize the fingerings. When not in lessons, students should listen to recordings of the folk songs before playing them. Music is included as reference for teachers, and to provide a duet part.

Students should play at first without tonguing in order to encourage a constant use of air. Once students successfully perform songs without tonguing, teachers can begin a discussion of articulation. It is helpful to work on tonguing for a few minutes each lesson using just the reed and bocal. I do not encourage students to use articulation on their songs until they are able to control their air and play their songs without stopping. I encourage students to use, as bassoon pedagogue Kristin Wolfe Jensen states, “one taste bud” to lightly touch the reed to learn a legato articulation style. (www.musicandthebassoon.org)

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