The concept of musical elements proved to be a tricky concept for the children in my class, so the music teacher made up this song to help them. She taught each verse as they were learning about that aspect of music. By the end of the term the children knew the complete song. They love singing the song and it helped them to talk about the music that they were composing themselves.
The words should be sung to the tune of Twinkle, twinkle little star.

Pitch means sound are high or low.
Tempo means go fast or slow.
Dynamics can go with a BANG!
Or make a sound as quietly as you can.
Pitch means sounds are high or low.
Tempo means go fast or slow.

Over and over and over again
Ostinato is the name.
Duration can be short or long
The length of sounds in a tune or a song.
Over and over and over again
Ostinato is the name.

Rhythm makes a pattern of sounds.
(Clap clap-clap clap clap/clap-clap clap claap)
Pulse will keep a steady beat
Sounds like slowly marching feet.
Rhythm makes a pattern of sounds.
(Clap clap-clap clap clap/clap-clap clap claap)

Timbre is quite hard to say.
Listen to the instruments play
Bright and bold, harsh or hollow.
Maybe gentle, warm or mellow.
Timbre is quite hard to say.
Listen to the instruments play.

(Words by Christine Brown)

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