Bob Bickerton visits LAS

Samara and TeAroha have made an iMovie each about Bob Bickerton's recent musical performance.

iMovie of Strike Percussion

Isla and Imogen put together their first ever iMovie today, with help from Mrs O.  They took all of the video footage and enjoyed joining the clips together and adding voice and title features.

Strike Percussion

Today  3 men from Wellington came to LAS to perform a music show. They brought lots of drums and one other instrument. All of the instruments were really loud. The show was really long and cool.They chose some children to come up in front of everyone and play an instrument that was really big. Before the children went up two adults went up and the played two drums that are separate. They also did a performance with fire and spray. The fire fighters taught them how to do the performance with the fire and spray otherwise there might have been a fire. They did the cup song with drink cans but they didn't sing.

Imogen liked the part when they did the cup song with the drink cans and when they didn't sing. 

Isla's favourite part was when they used the fire and spray.

This performance was cool!!!!!

By Isla and Imogen

Strike Percussion on PhotoPeach

Ukuleles

It has been FABULOUS to see the interest shown by the Room 4 children in learning to play the ukulele.  Better still, several students have asked their parents to purchase them a ukulele to play at home.

For those of you who are considering purchasing one I would highly recommend either the Mahalo or Makala brands.  These retail for approximately $50.  Cheap ukuleles are designed to be toys, rather than tuned instruments.  As you will notice with these two brands they have cogs at the back to tighten the tuners and keep the strings in tune.  There is nothing more frustrating for the students than not being able to keep their ukuleles in tune.  From personal experience I would also recommend purchasing an electronic tuner (which clips onto the end of the ukulele).  These retail for under $20 and are well worth purchasing.  If you require any more information about either the ukuleles or tuners feel free to contact Mrs O at school.

Beginning ukulele

This afternoon we began our adventure into learning to play the ukulele - a first not only for the students of Room 4, but Mrs O as well.  Mr Kimble came over to school and tuned the ukuleles for us all.  First we learnt how to hold our ukuleles close against our bodies and explored different strumming patterns. Then we learnt the finger positions for two chords - C and G7.  Thankfully Mrs Crawford joined us for our first session and played a beat pattern on the keyboard for us to play along with.  Finally we had a go at putting it all together to play the tune 'Row row row your boat'.  Some of us found it tricky to change chords - our fingers just didn't want to move fast enough!  But we know that with practise we will improve and all get much better. It was a really great effort by everybody for our first session together.

Abby and Alyssa play C

Ryan, Alesana and Hamish remember to hold their ukuleles upright  

Jenaya, Rubie and Kate enjoy the challenge of changing chords

Emma gets to grip with chords on her ukulele - Mrs O will have to remember to put
sticky dots to help her know where to place her fingers

Connie and Josie enjoy our music session

Lucie and Lucy - one right handed and one left handed player

Max concentrates while Amber-Rose demonstrates the C chord

The whole class jamming along together!