QWERTY

It's always kind of neat when you have the opportunity to teach your students about devices from the past. A corded telephone, a cassette player, a black-and-white TV, or in this case, an old-fashioned typewriter. While as outdated and archaic as they may seem now, they do share something in common with modern-day computers, laptops, smart phones, and tablets... the QWERTY keyboard (named for the first six letters from the left on the top row of letters). The QWERTY layout dates all the way back to 1874 and remains in widespread use to this day. What an interesting carryover from old to new!

A typewriter, whether manual or electric, has a very distinctive and percussive sound when being used. We thought that would make for an entertaining way to feature some rhythm band instruments. Specifically, rhythm sticks, triangles, and tambourines. The song "QWERTY" also features three simple melodies (the first of which is adapted from "Skip To My Lou") that are presented separately the first three times through at measure 5, and are then sung together the fourth and final time. Beginning the first time at measure 13, rhythm sticks are added. Then, the second time at measure 13, the triangles come in. And the third time, the tambourines join the performance. You can follow this pattern if you like, or create one of your own.

For the recorded accompaniment, we included sound effects of real typewriters (paper being rolled in, keys being struck, the carriage return and bell, and paper being pulled out). That way, if you only want to sing it and not use the rhythm band instruments, you'll still have the sounds of a typewriter. Perhaps if you have access to any actual typewriters you could incorporate them into your performance as well, much like Leroy Anderson did for his famous composition, The Typewriter.

By the way, we have included PDFs of isolated rhythm sticks, triangle, and tambourine parts on our web site. Also, you could use other instruments instead of, or in addition to, the sticks, triangles, and tambourines.