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Post by Alexa Rosenbaum, Toneworks intern

Despite having a solid repertoire of songs to use with shakers, I find myself constantly looking for more because we use these instruments so often in our ECSE classrooms.  Shakers are great because even the tiniest movement provides auditory feedback, and the bright colors are visually stimulating as well!  “Oh My Darling, Clementine” is a tune that everyone knows, and the fact that it is repetitive and has a simple melody makes it a great song to adapt for shakers.  No one is really sure who first performed or wrote this song, but it is often attributed to Barker Bradford, whose version can be heard here.  Below are the words that I use for instrument play in my groups.  I like to repeat this refrain twice to provide more opportunities for success and reinforce each movement.

Shake your shakers, shake your shakers

Shake your shakers everyone

Shake your shakers, shake your shakers

Shake your shakers everyone

These lyrics can be modified for any kind of movement (tapping, rolling, rubbing, up high, down low, etc.) and the tempo can be adjusted to what is most appropriate for the age and abilities of the group.  Allow clients to pick their own movements, and have them choose a friend to go next in order to address peer interaction goals.