B A Black Belt

by Paul Jennings

Okay, we've got the beginning of the soundtrack. All we need is the voice-synched martial arts movie to go with it! Yes, we had a good time writing and producing this one. It serves several purposes, including giving you a great way to introduce your beginning players to B and A. And, as the title suggests, it offers you a neat start for Recorder Karate, whether it is your primary teaching method or a cool supplement. (Maybe you need a nice Greymantle belt before that first white one.)

To make this an even more usable tune, there is a second soprano recorder part that can be used later in the year. And it is compatible with the easier part, so if your kids enjoyed it early in the year, they can come back to it with more skills. Dare we suggest yet another belt? (Midnight Blue? Noble Green?) Or maybe it can replace a tune that is not your favorite.

At measure 21, you'll notice that both recorder parts have optional divisis. This is a neat effect, and easy to achieve. Just divide your class evenly (give or take) into A's or B's, preferably with every other seat for balance.

However you choose to use this song, we hope you have fun with it, belts or no belts. And you can add another level to the work with the optional percussion part for rhythm sticks and frame drum. We have created an optional part that you will find online for free. That is where you can also find the piano/recorder score for "B A Black Belt," also free! (See details below.)

Online extras - The free, downloadable extras mentioned can be found under the Graphics and Extras for Volume 19, No. 1 at MusicK8.com

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.