Delve into the expressive elements of music and how they come together to convey ideas. These videos address tempo, dynamics, pitch, major and minor, and other ways to create mood and action. Click through each episode for full lesson plans.
MUSICAL OPPOSITES: TEMPO AND DYNAMICS
We’ve learned a little about pitch—let’s learn more about music’s other building blocks, tempo and dynamics, in this episode!
MUSICAL OPPOSITES: PITCH
How low can you go? Meet the bassoon, the lowest member of the woodwind family, in this episode!
DANCING SNOW
Can you hear the snow dancing? Find out how a composer can leave specific instructions to make special sounds on the piano!
SLEIGH RIDE
Join Buddy and friends on two different sleigh rides pulled by different animals!
THE PIANO TAKES FLIGHT: INSECTS
Buddy and friends explore how music can buzz and fly like these pesky insects!
THE PIANO TAKES FLIGHT: BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES
Buddy shows us how tempo and pitch can give the piano wings in this episode featuring two special guests.
TWO PUPPETS
Join Buddy and friends as they use tempo and more to demonstrate two very different puppet characters taking part in a race.
PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: GNOMES
What would music about gnomes sound like? Are the gnomes in this music nimble, lazy, or scared?
HOW MANY HANDS: RACING DONKEYS
Two donkeys are off to a race! How fast can Buddy and his friend Evan play the piano? Who will be the winner?
PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: THE OXCART
Find out how pitch, tempo, and dynamics can show an animal at work! How heavy is his cart?
FOOTSTEPS IN THE SNOW
Join Buddy as he explains how composers can describe a snowy scene through tempo and rests.
THE CAT AND THE MOUSE
Learn how tempo and articulation create character and action in this musical cartoon. You decide how it ends!
PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: BABY CHICKS
Explore how pitch, dynamics, and tempo create music of the baby chicks dancing inside their shells!
PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: CONVERSATION
Meet two gentlemen with contrasting personalities as they have a musical conversation.