Instrumental Activity Book - Great Big House in New Orleans

The "Great Big House in New Orleans" activity book provides a variety of engaging musical exercises for children, centered around the eponymous song. The book includes a non-instrumental game that encourages children to hold hands and form a circle, participating in a sequence of movements that correspond to different verses of the song. This activity requires an even number of participants and is designed to help children understand rhythm and coordination through physical interaction. As they move in time with the music, they alternate between forming inner and outer circles, creating a group hug, and returning to the original large circle formation, all while maintaining the rhythm of the song.

For those looking to incorporate instruments, the book offers a section titled "Instrumental Activities," which includes a variety of exercises such as singing while tapping the pulse, clapping the rhythm, and playing the rhythm on instruments. Children can also experiment with creating rhythmic ostinatos, playing pulse and rhythm on tuned instruments, and performing the melody in unison or in a canon. Additionally, the book provides the rhythm of the song notated with solfa syllables and note names, allowing children to engage with the music on a more technical level. These activities are designed to enhance musical understanding and proficiency in a fun, interactive way, using the familiar tune of "Great Big House in New Orleans" as a foundation for learning.