Explore the ways music is structured and organized. These videos address reading music and solfege, themes and motives, phrases, and form. Click through each episode for full lesson plans.

PATTERN PLAY: THE RONDO

BACH Rondo from Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826

This episode is a musical matching game! See if you can spot the repeated tune as we explore rondo form.

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DANCE OF THE ELVES

PRICE Elfentanz

Take a trip to the North Pole in this holiday episode! Can you tell what the elves are up to in this music?

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PATTERN PLAY

VINE Sonata for Flute and Piano

In this episode, join Buddy and our flutist friend Mehrdad to discover how to play with musical patterns! This music never slows down–can you keep up with all the changes?

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PERPETUAL MOTION

SCHUBERT Impromptu in E-flat Major, op. 90, no. 2

In this episode, we listen to a piece that runs across the keys! Can you keep up?

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BUILDING BLOCKS

MOZART Sonata in D Major, K. 284: I. Allegro

 

In this episode, we discover that music is put together much like written language. Join Buddy to learn how!

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MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE, PT. 2

BEETHOVEN 7 Variations on 'God Save the King,' WoO 78

Buddy and guest artist Benjamin Rossen finish Beethoven’s set of variations on this well-known patriotic song.

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MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE, PT. 1

BEETHOVEN 7 Variations on 'God Save the King,' WoO 78

Buddy and guest artist Benjamin Rossen explore what variations are with this well-known patriotic song.

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PB&J

PROKOFIEV Flute Sonata, op. 94 (II)
Buddy is joined by flutist Mehrdad Gholami to demonstrate how melody and accompaniment come together to create a satisfying piece.

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PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: THE GREAT GATE

MUSSORGSKY "The Great Gate of Kiev"

Join Buddy on a trip to the Great Gate of Kiev! Discover how musical themes represent different scenery.

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HOW MANY HANDS: A FAIRY TALE

RAVEL "Empress of the Pagodes" from Mother Goose Suite

Buddy and his friend Evan tell this musical story about a princess and an evil fairy, using only the black keys!

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THE LITTLE WHITE DONKEY

IBERT The Little White Donkey

Let’s follow different musical themes to find out what happens in the tale of this cute animal friend.

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BACK IT UP!

HAYDN "Menuet al Rovescio" from Sonata in A Major, Hob. XVI:26

Do you think music can move both forward and backward? Listen to this piece to find out!

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LISTENING GAME: FUGUE

BACH Fugue in B-flat Major, BWV 866

Challenge your pattern recognition skills! Count along with Buddy – how many times do you hear the tune?

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PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: THE CIRCUS

DEBUSSY "General Lavine - eccentric" from Preludes, Book II

Explore how the composer uses different musical themes to paint a picture of a circus clown!

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PICTURES YOU CAN HEAR: PLAYGROUND

MUSSORGSKY “Tuileries” from Pictures at an Exhibition

What would music about kids on a playground sound like? Discover how music can paint a picture.

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STARTS WITH A B: A-B-A

BRAHMS Waltz in A-flat Major, op. 39, no. 15

Buddy shows us how composers put different (A-B) sections of music together to form a waltz!

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LENNY AND LUKAS

BERNSTEIN "For Lukas Foss" from Five Anniversaries

Learn about form as two friends have an interesting birthday conversation – interrupted by “hiccups!”

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