Partner Warm-Up #7

by Teresa Jennings

There's just something about a tarantella that makes you want to get all bouncy and stuff. And what a great bit of energy to tap when warming up young voices! This particular warm-up is a partner piece which means the parts are sung separately, then together as a duet.

The lively 6/8 style is amplified by the fact that the lyrics are lighthearted. The humor helps get even older students interested in joining in, and the exercise teaches them a thing or two, even if they don't realize it. This one stresses the use of mouth muscles, enunciation of consonants, vowel sounds, and focus on pitches, even when the intervals move quickly.

While our recording is pretty nifty, if you can play the piano, you might consider playing this at different tempos to give singers a real workout. Then, maybe when they're nice and warmed up, let them sing "Pizza Love." (Also in this issue.) While you're at it, why not have a pizza party?

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.