Y2. Lesson 28. Music from the Torres Strait Islands
Prior learning: None
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials: Woodblocks or claves
Keywords: Beat, rhythm, singing, chanting, partners, rhymes, circle games.
Difficulty: 
Prepare
Present
Music from the Torres Strait Islands
Practise
The Torres Strait Islands are a group of 247 islands north of Queensland, bridging the sea between Cape York and Papua New Guinea. The traditional sacred songs are called Kab Kar and include traditional dance moves and dress. Every one of these islands has its own distinct culture and rich history. Native Torres Strait Islanders all speak Torres Strait Creole. The sea deeply influences the island culture. Being an island community, seafaring was, and still is, the primary source of food and income for islanders. Ancient practices like navigating by the stars, reading the tide, and living off the sea are still alive today, thanks to the Torres Strait Elders who continue to pass on these customs and traditions to future generations.
Melodic development
Students discover a song from the Torres Strait Islands
- This song is best taught in two sections.
- The first section is from 'Inanay' to 'yippy yah'.
- The second section continues until the end.
- The lyrics have been written as they sound in English, and several variations may all be equally correct.
- Lead the class in singing each section in a clear and bright tone.
- The word 'choo' can be treated as a shout.
Rhythmic development
Students learn about rhythms from the Torres Strait Islands.
- Distribute shakers and claves/small drums to the class in your usual fashion.
- Play the video introducing the Kulap, an instrument native to the Torres Strait Islands, and the Lumut Thram, or bamboo drum.
- Discuss what materials are used for each instrument. Where are they found? How are the instruments made?
- Using shakers to simulate the Karup, demonstrate some rhythms similar to those in the video.
- Ask students to repeat each rhythm after you.
- Using a clave (or similar) demonstrate some simple rhythm patterns to the class.
- Students will repeat the rhythms back using their chosen percussion instrument.
Creative movement
Students learn the sitting dance Taba Naba.
- Students are seated in a large circle.
- Play the video.
- Here are the instructions for the fishing dance Taba Naba.
- Glide your hands side to side, close to each other, keeping them level with the floor.
- Lower your right hand to tap the ground before you, then reach up to pat your left shoulder.
- Bring your left hand down to touch the ground before you, followed by a pat on your right shoulder.
- Once again, drop your right hand to the floor in front, then lift it to touch your left shoulder.
- Have your left hand make contact with the floor in front, then move it to tap your right shoulder.
- Raise both hands skyward, bring them down to brush your shoulders, place them on your hips, and rock side to side.
- Keep a steady beat on a clave or shaker.
Listening
Students
- Explain the story of this piece of music by a composer called Smetana from Europe:
- Imagine a tiny stream in the forest where two little brooks, called flutes in the music, play together. They bubble and giggle as they dance around rocks and under branches.
- This stream grows bigger and stronger, like when you join hands with your friends and run through a meadow, becoming a big river.
- This river is called the Moldau, and the music tells a story of how it flows through the land, starting as just a whisper of water and becoming a mighty force of nature, all through the magic of musical notes coming together to create a beautiful river song.
- Play the excerpt of the music and, when finished, how the music made them feel. Did the music fit the story?
Visual learning
Students discover instruments from the Torres Strait islands.
- Project the graphic of the three instruments to be discussed.
- Discuss the lumut and ask what it is made from [bamboo]. Ask students what sort of sound it would make. Is there a similar classroom instrument that they are familiar with?
- The next instrument is the kulap. From the videos in this lesson, students may remember that this is made from seed pods and cut in half. It is a shaker or rattle. Is it similar to a classroom instrument?
- Finally, discuss the wurup, a drum made from a hollow log. It has a carry handle and a stretched animal skin at one end. Is there a similar classroom instrument?
Instruments
Students discover how to play Candle Burning Bright on tuned percussion.
- Distribute tuned percussion instruments. In this exercise, xylophones and glockenspiel are chosen.
- Divide the class into two groups.
- Demonstrate the melody of the song to the first group.
- When secure, demonstrate the simple accompaniment to the second group.
- Conduct the two groups and monitor the class performance, offering gentle guidance where appropriate.
Part work
Students sing a pentatonic song in canon.
- Divide the class into two groups.
- Lead the class in singing the song.
- Tell the class they will practice a canon with the song.
- The first group will sing, followed by the second group two beats later.
- When secure, swap the two groups and repeat.
Assess
Suggested lessons
Y1. Beat II
Y1. Beat III
Y1. Beat IV