Ideas to Teach Happy Birthday
Found in: Playing-Based Methodology
Mei Ling W., Canada
Hi everyone. I’ve had two students request to learn the Happy Birthday song. Any suggestions…SM method? I briefly came up with one but wondering if anyone else has a tried and true version to share?
Ruth M., Washington
So easy and fun. I do not tell them what we are learning. I just show them and get them going and start singing to the surprised birthday student. They fall for it every time.
Rebecca S., Australia
I teach it starting on G. Actually, if you play Minuet in G, second half left hand 4 notes are “Birthday to you”. So we go from there. Look for the patterns. Starting it on G requires no black notes, so a little easier for students to remember. There is the first pattern. There is an octave jump, and there is a T,M,B chord. A few positions, but those who WANT to learn, will take the time.
Original discussion started August 12, 2012