As I mentioned in the previous article, all my students who learned Shinozaki Violin Method Vol.1 1-145 start using the Suzuki Books (finally). All the students already learned May Song in D Major in Shinozaki Violin Method Vol. 1 no. 132, which is now in A Major in Suzuki Book 1. Let’s be familiar with the key of A Major.
Go Tell Aunt Rhody [Suzuki Violin Book 1]
Lyric in English and Japanese
This song is a very popular children’s song in Japan. I sung it many times when I was little.
I found the lyric of this song in English is quite different, so I list both here:
| Title and Lyric in English Go Tell Aunt Rhody | Title and Lyric in Japanese Close your hands; Open your hands （むすんでひらいて：musunde hiraite） |
| Go tell Aunt Rhody, Go tell Aunt Rhody, Go tell Aunt Rhody The old gray goose is dead. The one she’s been saving, The one she’s been saving, The one she’s been saving To make a feather bed. The goslings are crying, The goslings are crying, The goslings are crying, Because their mother’s dead. The gander is weeping, The gander is weeping, The gander is weeping, Because his wife is dead. She died in the mill pond, She died in the mill pond, She died in the mill pond From standin’ on her head. Go tell Aunt Rhody, Go tell Aunt Rhody, Go tell Aunt Rhody The old gray goose is dead. | Close your hands; open your hands Clap your hands; close your hands Open your hands again Clap your hands Put your hands way up high Close your hands; open your hands Clap your hands; close your hands Close your hands; open your hands Clap your hands; close your hands Open your hands again Clap your hands Put your hands way down low Close your hands; open your hands Clap your hands; close your hands Thank you for this English Translation by YAMAGISHI, Katsuei© |
Other Arrangements of Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Also, this piece was used in Biohazard RE7, which sounds a bit scary…: Go Tell Aunt Rhody (RE7 Official Soundtrack Full Version)
On the other hand, in England, this is sung as a hymn: Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
As you find, the same piece sounds totally different according to how it is sung or played !
In Suzuki Book1, it is indicated this is a French Folk Song, originated from a Gavotte in the opera Le Devin du Village (The Village Soothsayer) by Jean Jack Rousseau.
O Come, Little Children [Suzuki Violin Book 1]
The bowing is a little more complicated in O Come, Little Children.
According to the ability of the students, I introduce the retake of the bow at m. 4, 8, and 12.
I ask my students to do “silent down bow” (move the bow as if you are playing a down bow, but no sould) at the eighth rests in order to start the next note up bow.
If “silent down bow” is too difficult for the student, I can suggest the alternative way; saving the bow for the quarter note and play the eighth notes at the lower part of the bow without retaking.
May Song [Suzuki Violin Book 1]
Before you start playing May Song, I recommend to practice important rhythm in this piece with open strings:
This rythm can be difficult for some students, but keep practicing ! You will get it 🙂
This Youtube channel provides many videos which can support your home practice of Suzuki Books, Shinozaki Violin Method, and more. If the video helps you in any way, please click the “like” button and subscribe to my channel. I look forward to working with you all 😊
Happy Practicing !
Here’s another article: [How to Practice] Suzuki Violin Book 1: Long Long Ago, Allegro, Perpetual Motion
This blog is listed in Feedspot.
2 thoughts on “Go Tell Aunt Rhody, O Come Little Children, May Song [Suzuki Violin Book 1]”