This song features a bass line to be played with capped boomwhackers. The pattern simply repeats itself over and over. Sometimes this kind of cyclical pattern is referred to as an Ostinato.
The Chord progression of this song simply repeats itself as well.
I (C Maj) – IV (F Maj) – I (C Maj) – V (G Maj) –
If the situation allows, have the children learn the bass line singing the word “Wimoweh” over and over.
See the many recorded examples to hear this being sung.
This song requires a judicious use of boomwhackers and caps, and good group management.
I recommend that everyone first learn the melody, then everyone learn the bass line. If you don’t have a full class set of caps, practice the bass part with everyone without caps so they can get the feel/rhythm.Then assign a few players who are particularly strong to play the bass line with the caps while the others play the melody.
You may still have to have to practice with just the bass line players, then just the melody players, then finally put both groups together.
The Bass Line players should be divided into three groups (all notes to be capped):
- Group 1 — C & E
- Group 2 — F & A
- Group 3 — G & B
The melody is trickier to divide. If the group is relatively inexperienced, or if you are playing with rolls, use only one boomwhacker per player (You will need 5 players/groups). If not playing with rolls, you can pair up the boomwhackers as follows (but the player with E still only gets one)
If you have players who are really in for a challenge, one of the melody players can use three Boomwhackers, but has to pick up and put down instruments throughout the piece.
The person switching should hold the E in the left hand and switch between the F and C in their Right. This means sometimes the lower instrument is in the right hand. It takes a lot of practice but can be done.
This pairing can even be used with rolls, but then the player playing D and G has to alternate between instruments when rolling. Also an advanced technique.
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