PRINCIPLES FOR SELECTING MUSIC A

PRINCIPLES FOR SELECTING MUSIC AND NEW SONGS TO USE

by Betty B. Robertson

1. Short songs with repetition of phrases and melody.

2. Singing range reasonable (not too high / not too low).

3. Simple rhythms.

4. New words to familiar tunes is an excellent place to start. Perhaps you'll telling the story of Joshua and need a song to go with it. Here are some examples:

JOSHUA TRUSTED GOD (Tune: "God Is So Good")

Joshua trusted God

And I'll do the same.

Joshua loved God

And I love Him, too.

GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES (Tune: "Jesus Loves Me")

Yes, God keeps His promises

The Bible tells me so.

5. Select songs with a particular purpose in mind.

a. To teach a lesson idea (curriculum connector).

The wonderful thing about being a religious education teacher in the new millennium is the abundance of excellent resources which are available. But again -- if you can't find the particular song you want -- be creative! Make it up -- using a familiar tune. Here are some examples:

ADAM AND EVE (Tune: "Mary Had A Little Lamb")

Adam and Eve they had it made,

Had it made, had it made.

Adam and Eve they had it made,

Then they went and blew it.

God said not to eat that fruit,

Eat that fruit, eat that fruit.

God said not to eat that fruit,

Then they went and blew it.

They made the choice to disobey,

Disobey, disobey.

They made the choice to disobey,

They knew they shouldn't do it.

God knows best, we should obey,

Should obey, should obey.

God knows best we should obey,

Then we won't go and blow it.

APOSTLES (Tune: "Jesus Loves Me" - Source Unknown)

Jesus called them one by one, Peter, Andrew, James and John,

Next came Philip, Thomas too, Matthew and Bartholomew.

James the one they called the less, Simon, also Thaddeus,

The twelfth apostle Judas made, Jesus was by him betrayed.

Yes, Jesus called them, Yes, Jesus called them,

Yes, Jesus called them, The Bible tells me so.

b. To teach a Bible verse.

It's easier to learn Scripture when you add rhythm and melody. If you can't find a song, use a familiar tune. Here are some examples:

COLOSSIANS 3:23 (Tune: "Happy Birthday")

Whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord,

And not for men.

EXODUS 20:12 (Tune: "Happy Birthday")

Honor your father

Honor your mother

Honor your father and mother

Exodus 20:12

GENESIS 1:1 (Tune: "Three Blind Mice")

In the beginning

God created

The heavens and the earth

Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:1

HEBREWS 13:5 (Tune: "On Top of Ole' Smokey")

Keep your lives free

From the love of money

And be content

With what you have.

PSALM 56:3 (Tune: "London Bridge is Falling Down")

When I am afraid I will trust in You

Trust in You, trust in You

When I am afraid I will trust in You

Psalm 56:3

ROMANS 12:9 (Tune: "Are You Sleeping?")

Hate what is evil, hate what is evil;

Cling to what is good; cling to what is good.

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9; Romans 12:9.

c. To teach Bible facts.

A teacher reports that while teaching public school, he wrote a song about the circulatory system (inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, etc.) to help his students remember the facts. All the students who learned the song scored PERFECTLY on their science exam! Twelve years later, his students still went to him -- singing the entire song!

d. To teach a concept

e. To praise and worship God. An abundance of songs are now available in this area.

f. To have fun or to have action. There's nothing wrong with singing songs just for fun or just for action, but that's what the purpose should be.

6. Stay away from songs which have symbolism and imagery which are foreign to a child's literal mind.