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Let's not forget about making our own music! Meet The Flintstones

Sight reading The Flintstones

Wikipedia The Flintstones Dominio público

This must be one of the most famous theme tunes ever! It was written by Hoyt Curtin. And it's not hard to play because it is in the key of C Major,

which means you have no sharps or flats.

Let's all learn to play it on the recorder first, and then we'll see about a good arrangement. 

On this webpage you have got the score. You know the rhythm: see how well you can play the notes the first time round (this is called sight reading). Do this with a partner, taking turns to pull the score along with the mouse on the computer. And if you haven't heard this tune before, watch the video underneath. 

- STEP 1: Get together with a partner. Watch and listen to the video if you don't know the Flintstones theme tune.

-STEP 2: One of you plays and the other moves the score along. Play very very slowly the first few times. 

-STEP 3: Swap roles.

-STEP 4: Practice in turns to play the tune quicker

-STEP 5: See if you can memorize this piece!

Class arrangement

Your teacher can download and print the score of The Flintstones from a page such as this one, for example:

https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/score/HL-358675.html

Can you see the chords on the stave under the recorder part? That part is for the piano and we can use it for our class arrangement.

- If you play the piano, that part is for you! Get practising!

- We can also use the lowest notes and the notes in the chords for class instruments such as the xylophones. Your teacher will help you to distribute the notes among the different instruments.

- Do you find it hard to play the recorder and the other instruments we have mentioned? If so, we need percussionists! Percussion instruments will help the piece to sound more lively and interesting. 

DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN REPEAT THE TUNE VARIOUS TIMES, PERHAPS THREE, TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENT MORE INTERESTING.

Perhaps we can have just recorders and piano the first time round; then the xylophones join in; and then the last time round percussion joins in, too.

WELL DONE!

Keep it a secret for the FILM MUSIC FESTIVAL at the end of this project. 

The Flintstones: evaluation rubric

Up to 4 points per category: maximum mark 16

1 2 3 4

Sight reading exercise

Can barely play the notes Manages some of the notes and attempts the rhythm Plays most of the notes and makes a good attempt at the rhythm Plays musically and with few mistakes

Musicality

Shows limited musicality and needs a lot of help Shows a degree of musicality that will permit progress Is musical and with practice can be good Is very talented musically

Memorization

Didn't make enough effort Struggled and barely managed it Despite some mistakes made a good attempt Excellent memorization and playing

Playing in a group

Poor, unenthusiastic Ill at ease but a fair effort Good collaboration and enthusiasm Plays very well within the group, aware of the performance as a whole