Teaching Melodic Contour with Debussy and Ribbon Sticks

This week in 1st grade, we learned a bit about melodic contour!

We started by listening to some simple melodies played on the piano. First I played melodies that only went up or down and had students point towards the ceiling or the ground to indicate direction. Then I played melodies that went up and then down or down and then up. Again, I had students point in the directions one after the other.

Next, we took a listen/look to Debussy’s First Arabesque:

While we listened, we followed the purple/orange bubbles with our hand/arms for about a minute.

Then we took a look at another video once they got the hang of following the pattern/music. This video was the one we were going to add ribbon sticks too.

Here’s the choreography I used:

:06-:16 side figure eighth(infinity sign) in front

:17-:26 large movement side to side over head

:27-:42 center swirls – stir the pot motion

:43-:45 side figure eighth in front

:47-1:05 side to side over head, ending with ribbon falling downward downward

1:06-1:40 hold ribbon and sway to music

1:42-1:51 side figure eighth in front

1:52-2:04 large movement side to side over head

2:05-2:16 small shake side to side over head and bring movement down as melody moves down

2:17-2:26 shake side to side raise with melodic contour

2:17-end shake side to side all the way down

Before teaching the choreography, I had students do similar movements without ribbon sticks. But if you’re pressed for time, you could go right to the choreography!