My Musical Musings Blog | betsyleebaileymusic.com - The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey

Putting on the Armor of God

10/2/2023

In Ephesians 6:11-18 the Apostle Paul teaches "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Two songs that I have written help us incorporate this idea of putting on the Armor of God into our daily lives.

"Put on the Whole Armor of God" is a children's song with a martial flavor. I wrote it for my Cub Scouts years ago. We were preparing to perform at a pack meeting. Our theme was "Knights of the Round Table." Our activity was jousting. The boys made their own helmets, swords and shields.

I really wanted them to sing a catchy tune that had a better message than just battling each other in a mock tournament. I was thrilled by how much they enjoyed learning this song. They sang out with gusto. They really seemed to absorb the message of how to prepare to fight the fiery darts of the adversary by putting on the whole armor of God.

The other song I wrote for the Youth. "By Small and Simple Things" comes from a quote in Alma 37:6-7.

"6.Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

The lyrics compare how very small things can bring about great things such as how a small helm can steer a great ship or how small strokes can create a beautiful painting. Our small actions can also bring about great things. Showing obedience in reading the scriptures daily can help us feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Doing good and serving gladly we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. We can prepare each day by putting on the whole armor of God.

Being "Cringe"

9/6/2023

As an older person, I understand the definition of "cringe" to be a verb meaning to hang your head in embarrassment for a person who does something socially awkward. Apparently, being "cringe" has a new life as a noun in today's vernacular.

In the US, "cringe" is an informal verb that refers to the feeling of embarrassment, discomfort or awkwardness that someone might experience when watching or participating in something that is considered socially awkward, embarrassing or uncomfortable. It can also be used as a noun to refer to something that causes that feeling.

When music teachers complain that their students, particularly the elementary school 11-12 year old boys, call the teacher "cringe" or the music or activity "cringe," that is alarming. Understandably, the boys in that age-range have a hard time still singing in the Treble clef. They don't want to sound like girls, although most boys don't drop the octave until they are teenagers. But they should have opportunities and examples to help them work through that awkward time.

For 4th-5th grade Chorus class, I found it useful to do 2-part pieces that lean toward having a certified "Bass" part. In other words, rather than being built exclusively following 3rds under the Soprano melody, the Part 2 dances between the Tonic and Dominant with a lot of contrary motion more akin to how the lowest choral part in the Bass Clef is written. I even tell the boys that this is a Bass part. That usually secures their interest in singing it. (We sometimes take a vote as to whether we will even allow any "alto" girl voices to sing it, too.)

Once we establish that singing that part is cool, we don't have nearly the attitude issues with it being "cringe."

An example of this is "Jingle Bells" for 2-Part Children's Chorus.

Updates on the New LDS Hymnbook

8/28/2023

Many people have been wondering when the new LDS Hymnbook will be coming out. After attending some classes presented by members of the Hymnbook Committee at BYU Education Week, I have a new appreciation for how much time it has been taking. Apparently, over 17,000 hymns and Primary songs were submitted. The committee said that they have reviewed each and every one of them. However, there is no way that many new hymns can possibly be included in the new hymnbook!

They told us that each hymn or song has been quadruple-blind reviewed by at least 130 top-notched musicians. They had to narrow down the selection to roughly 500. From those, they have enlisted help from translator/poets and musicians from countries all over the world who can identify the hymns and Primary songs that could be most successfully translated into their languages. The goal is to publish the new hymnbook simultaneously all over the world in all the possible languages at the same time --- they are projecting sometime in 2026.

Those of us who attended the classes got a close-up peak at the process of TRANSCREATION --- a new term the committee coined. Because of the many differences in languages --- including numbers of syllables per word, cultural idioms, languages that are tonal, and some that are read right to left NOT left to right --- there are HUGE problems fitting words to music across so many languages. The translators must have the poetic gifts to create hymn lyrics that fit the tunes as well as convey a similar message as the original hymn given the musical constraints.

Suffice it to say that I have little hope for the chances of any of my submissions to be considered. However, they will very likely be listed on the new SACRED MUSIC app. Look for them there, if you are interested.

Go Forth in the Service of God - Hymn (original)
Come All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth - Hymn (new tune and SATB setting)
My Baptism Covenant - Primary Song (original)
Live By the Light of His Love - Primary Song (original)
Lord of All - Christmas - Primary Song (original)
How Far Is Heaven? - Primary Song (original) about Temples
Put On the Whole Armor of God - Primary Song (original)

Christmas in July

7/19/2023

Can't help but notice all of the "Christmas in July" action going on right now. From Hallmark movies to special sales, for good or bad, Christmas is the biggest holiday to be commercialized.

For musicians, though, they have to look ahead to get prepared for shows and concerts six months out. For schools, music teachers HAVE to prepare in July for the end of Fall semester concerts. It's just the way things work.

I have been noticing people asking for help and guidance to find new music and programming ideas for their shows. This doesn't surprise me. THERE IS SIMPLY SO MUCH STUFF OUT THERE to sift through. Teachers and Choral Directors have quite a job trying to come up with fresh material year after year.

Some schools don't have a dedicated music program, so the classroom teachers must provide their own numbers for the "Christmas Sing" Concert at the school. Most teachers just do the same songs each year. Now as a grandma of many, I cringe at going to hear the same songs year after year, concert after concert. Maybe try a five year rotation...

There is something to be said for having a few numbers on the program that are TRADITIONAL. But, if just for the sake of the long-suffering audience, it is so refreshing to have most of the program different from year to year. That said, you don't want all of the songs to be completely brand new, either. Singing at least a few old favorites helps the audience appreciate the show better.

Having a THEME to help unify the show is ultimately the best programming device the teacher or director has. Many times through the years, finding a good THEME for a concert has been the best and yet hardest part of my job as a director. I have spent days, perhaps months, scouring music stores for just the right theme songs for my shows. (That was in the olden days.) Now, having access to online sources and many chat groups for advice, the job seems so much easier.

Some of the Christmas Holiday show THEMES (songs) I have used are "Holiday Harmony," "Be a Santa," "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," "Caroling, Caroling," and "Under the Christmas Tree." Another theme song that became a fun show is "The Greatest Christmas Card in the Whole Wide World." These last two theme songs I actually wrote because I ran out of time searching.

Fortunately at my schools, we did not have to worry about being "politically correct." We just sang a wide variety of songs --- from winter fun songs to Nativity songs, even a few Jewish songs. All were appreciated.

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog's Tails

6/14/2023

Watching a 2-year-old develop language is so astonishing. I was gone on vacation for 2 weeks, and just in that short time my little grandson had started putting together little 3 word sentences!

Peter has been experimenting with words for some time now. But the new development is that he is beginning to SING. On pitch, no less. Pretty amazing for a 24 month old.

His mother will sing a song and leave out some of the words. He will fill in those words pretty much on pitch when she points to him. Currently, he likes singing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Disney's Mulan. When left on his own, he likes taking some kind of stick out in the back yard and doing Martial Arts moves while he sings this song to himself.

And speaking of sticks, after his mother's Middle School Band Concert, she let him try out a clarinet. He was so delighted with himself that he could blow and get some musical sounds out of that curious black stick. Usually he just fights imaginary battles with sticks like that!

"Frogs and snails and puppy dogs' tails, that's what little boys are made of."

I can't help but think of the old nursery rhyme when I watch Peter. Only I'd have to modify the rhyme a bit for him.

"Sticks and bugs and all kinds of balls, that's what Peter is made of."

We catch him eating worms and bugs all the time. And don't let's get started about this kid and balls. Suffice it to say that he LOVES playing with balls --- basketballs, footballs, baseballs, soccer balls, little or big, soft or hard, Peter LOVES playing with balls!

I am always so amazed that these little people start developing their own personalities and likes right from the get-go. And don't let anyone tell you that little kids can't start learning to sing when they are babies! They can! And they SHOULD! It just takes dedicated parents who will model the joy of singing with them.

Essential Songs for Kids

6/9/2023

Yesterday I read a question from an Elementary Music Teacher who was asking for the top 10 essential songs to teach her students before they moved onto Middle School. "America" (My country ‘tis of thee); "Grand Old Flag," "This Land is Your Land," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "Yankee Doodle," "Red River Valley," "Fifty Nifty United States," and "Home on the Range" are some that were suggested. The teacher was specifically looking for songs in the same vein as "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Those songs are all important American songs, all recognizable, and all fun to sing. I was curious that they mentioned "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" though. The others are more patriotic. I guess "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was included because BASEBALL has sometimes been called our national pastime or sport. (Though some people definitely do NOT think of it as such.)

In my household, FOOTBALL was the number 1 national sport.

Years ago, my aunt Janie Thompson wrote an alternate chorus to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for Football Fans. It goes:

Take me out to the Ballgame
Take me out with the crowd.
There on the green is the football team.
There's the kick-off, the crowd gives a scream.
Let me root, root, root for the home team.
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's 1,2,3,4 downs and 10 yards to go
At the Football game!

Then for a specialty number, once, I wrote two alternate verses. The song became a "Baseball vs. Football friendly Fan Rivalry" song. It was a hit with the boys in our show. They said that they could sing it now practically year-round! Maybe I need to come up with verses about BASKETBALL and SOCCER now!

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be Just Like You

4/4/2023

Lately, my 3-year-old granddaughter has been transitioning from taking afternoon naps to refusing to take naps. As most parents come to understand, this is a trying time. She ends up falling asleep if she is taken on a car ride, even it it is a short jaunt to pick up Mom at the train station just before dinner.

Yesterday I thought I would be helpful by letting her have quiet time in my room with me. I needed an afternoon nap. (I figured she might also nap.) CJ came up onto my bed, gently tucked the covers around me, and asked, "What do you want me to sing to you?" I told her, "Sing 'Baptism.'" So, she gently rubbed my forehead and started sweetly singing "Jesus came to John the Baptist in Judea long ago..." That song has some big words for a barely 3-year-old. But I knew she could sing it, because she had demonstrated that she already knew it when we sang it in Primary. (By the way, she can sing it with true pitch!)

After that, I was really sleepy, so I asked her if she wanted to listen to some Grandma's stories on You Tube. I showed her the playlist, and she picked the one she wanted. I guess the playlist went on and on through the picture book stories I wrote of my children -- her mom and aunts and uncles. (I was dosing, but apparently she was wide awake, quietly entertained.)

This morning when she woke up and came out to the family room. CJ hugged me as I sat in my favorite chair and she told me, "When I grow up, I want to be just like you." It came out of the blue, with absolutely no prompting. She said, "I want to be an artist." I asked her if she wanted to be a singer, too. At first she shook her head, "No," but then she thought about it and said, "I do."

My grandma heart was melting! Thank goodness for moments like this! They really help during the times when the "Hangry CJ Monster" (who won't take a needed afternoon nap) appears and has an hour long tantrum at dinner time!

"Spin Around Dresses and Click Shoes" is one of CJ's favorite picture books.

Actions in Songs vs. Wiggle Songs

3/28/2023

Adding actions to a Primary Song is not necessarily the same thing as doing a Wiggle Song. Remember that the Primary Children have just been sitting in Sacrament Meeting for at least one hour. The little ones need time to stretch and wiggle to settle themselves for Singing Time. I use the little ones' needs as the excuse, but truth be told, the older kids enjoy doing wiggle songs, too.

Wiggle Songs in Primary have a specific purpose. The good ones will provide opportunities for stretching and movement in a controlled climate. They encourage singing and following the leader which is engaging the brain. They also will end with getting back into a reverent attitude.

One of my favorites is "My Hands" CSB 273. I actually prefer to lead this one without piano accompaniment. My plan with this is to quickly get the kids attention, allow them opportunities for stretching and movement, but especially to get them to follow the leader. I plan holds and pauses in the singing and movements to see if they can follow me. I will also go faster or slower to check if they are keeping up. It ends with "Clap, clap, clap, then 1, 2, 3. See how quiet they can be" while we fold our arms and sit down. I usually do this song three times through. This takes less than one minute and is amazingly effective.

Sometimes, I throw in a quick stretch, breathing exercise or wiggle song whenever I see the children need it. Just one minute can work wonders.

Adding actions to Primary Songs can be a nice change, but they are not designed to do what a wiggle song can. Many times, adding movements to songs that have a lot of lyrics can actually shut down the singing.

For example, I have seen well-intentioned Music Leaders give the children rhythm patterns to clap during a song (that has many verses and a chorus) intending to help the children memorize the words. Unfortunately, most of the kids could not do both. So they dropped the singing altogether and focused solely on the movements.

Just because the song has been given movements doesn't qualify it as a Wiggle Song.

When and How to Use Wiggle Songs in Primary

1/16/2023

Wiggle Songs can be any activities that provide relief in Music Time.

Question: "When should I use a wiggle song?

Answer: "Whenever the children need it!

It is useful to remember that the children in Primary come in all abilities and all ages -- from 11 down to barely 3 years old. Sometimes the Seniors outnumber the Juniors or vice versa. The older children may be able to pay attention for longer stints, but remember that the little ones probably can't even read yet and to them EVERYTHING IS NEW and different. The last thing they can handle is more sitting still while people are just talking.

January is the beginning of a new year, and that, for most Wards, means a TIME CHANGE. After sitting in Sacrament Meeting for one hour, the children are likely going to be fidgety, especially the very young ones. The new schedule may be spanning lunch time or nap time, too, which complicates things. Younger children have a hard time adjusting to new rhythms in their day.

This is precisely why Wiggle Songs are so important. As valuable as doing movements during a song are, they aren't as laser-targeted as Wiggle Songs can be. Most of the Wiggle songs in the Children's Songbook start with movements but end with calming down. Many times using scarves, ribbon wands, hand signs, marching, rhythm sticks, shakers, or clapping can actually heighten the "free for all" to a fever pitch! It is very hard to regain control once you've lost it.

Leading by Example - Be sure that you practice doing the Wiggle activity or song that you intend to use. Use your hands and facial expressions as well as your whole body just like you expect the children to do. You can't be looking at sheet music!

A few of my favorite "go to's" from the CSB are "My Hands" 273, "Oh, How We Love to Stand" 279, and "Hinges" 277. I usually sing them unaccompanied so I can vary the Tempo. I often go faster and slower in places or even put in complete stops. That way I am training the children to watch me for Tempo, Breathing, Facial Expressions, and Physical Movements - including any "freeze" pauses.

Maintaining Eye Contact - Memorize the words and music! That way you can keep your eyes on the children. How else can you really judge how they are participating and how effective your teaching methods are?

Read the Room - Even the older children will give you signs that they are bored or just "checking out." You can bring them back by doing a quick BREATHING EXERCISE or a FULL BODY SHAKE. Better yet, plan VARIETY into your teaching methods from the get go. Change things up every few minutes.

Magic 7 Rule - To the very young children in Primary, every song is new. They likely cannot read or even understand most of the words to the songs. They cannot be expected to catch on to the melody and lyrics (let alone to doctrinal meanings) from just experiencing them one or two times through. Let your goal be to introduce and review the songs 7 times in various ways (and in fairly close succession) before expecting the children to start participating. Be sure to SING MORE and TALK LESS!

The key is to use a wiggle song or activity in quick, surgical strikes. A few seconds change of pace is all you need to provide relief and regain the children's attention. Then you can go back to teaching whatever you had planned.

Wiggle Songs are your FRIENDS!

The Curse of "Back Seat Drivers" in Primary

1/10/2023

Let's face it --- standing in front of a room of people is intimidating enough without "back seat drivers" trying to show or tell you what to do ---on the spot.

I read a heartbreaking post the other day about a new Primary Music Leader who kept getting reactions from teachers in the Primary who kept correcting her. They sometimes tried to help her get back on track with her conducting patterns, or they came up afterwards with a whole bunch of criticisms and suggestions.

It sounds like this poor novice leader could have benefitted by some inservice training --- something that is rarely offered any more.

To that "newbie" --- DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE "BACK SEAT DRIVERS!"

If you already like to SING, start there. FORGET ABOUT BEAT PATTERNS. Instead, focus on MEMORIZING THE SONGS BEFORE YOU TRY TO LEAD THEM. All you really need to do is TAKE A BREATH in rhythm before you start singing. The BREATH is the CUE.

Work with the PIANIST, especially if she or he is competent. Let him or her set the TEMPO and help you work out the CUES.

Practice feeling the RHYTHM and tapping the BEATS. Have the Pianist help you learn to move your hand up and down in PREPARATION CUES going UP and strong BEATS going DOWN. Don't worry about memorizing Beat Patterns yet. You can do very well just directing the words by stressing important syllables with DOWNBEATS. You want to concentrate on "pulling FOCUS" toward your face so the children can read your lips and imitate your facial expressions and follow how you MODEL the singing.

The important thing is to maintain EYE CONTACT with the children, rely on your memorization, and sing out. They will follow you if you draw them in. You need to ACT as if what you are doing is the absolute right thing in the moment (no matter what anyone else thinks).

Although you probably won't be whistling, this is great advice:

Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect,
And whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect I'm afraid.
While shivering in my shoes I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune and no one ever knows I'm afraid.
The result of this deception is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well.
I whistle a happy tune and ev'ry single time
The happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid.
Make believe you're brave and the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave as you make believe you are. (whistle)
You may be as brave as you make believe you are
("Whistle a Happy Tune" from "The King and I" by Rodgers and Hammerstein)

Many times I have had to ACT braver than I really was. That's when you have to TRUST in what you've practiced.

You could also skip the whole "conducting" bit if you hold VISUAL AIDS and are busy pointing out pictures, or words, or doing MOVEMENTS like using scarves or shakers. Once again, it's taking the BREATH combined with NODDING your HEAD that is the CUE.

There will always be people who think they know your job better than you do. The trick is to develop your own STYLE. The children won't understand the finer points of choral conducting, so they won't be critical. They respond best when they know you LOVE them, know their NAMES, and have something interesting for them to do.

So don't let those "back seat drivers" rattle you!

The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey copyright 2020