[Childcare] A collection of recommended melodica (pianica) songs for 4-year-olds

Spring has come.Sakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi

Spring has come. I tried it with a ukulele and a melodica—Yamaha and Suzuki—combining chords and melody.

“Spring Has Come” is a piece you’ll want to include just as you start to feel that gentle warmth.

Its tempo is slow and the piece is short, making it a great practice song for children on the melodica.

Encourage them to play with a soft breath, focusing on sustaining clean, beautiful tones to capture the calm, cheerful atmosphere of spring.

Adding dynamic contrast will make the performance even more appealing.

It’s a highly recommended piece for when children have gotten used to the melodica and feel ready to try a variety of songs.

The First StepSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

Music Concert [4-year-olds' Pianica Performance: From Backstage to the Main Show] (2023-02-25)

How about trying to play “Hajime no Ippo,” a song that’s also very popular as a kindergarten graduation tune, on the melodica? It’s fairly challenging, but it’s perfect to include as the culmination of the children’s melodica practice.

Since the piece itself is long, start by singing the solfege (do-re-mi) to firmly memorize the score.

The finger movements are quite large too, so divide it into parts and practice little by little.

By the time they can play it, the children will surely be brimming with confidence! Give it a try.

The Clock SongSakushi: Tsutsui Keisuke / Sakkyoku: Murakami Taro

Easy Pianica Performance: “The Clock Song” — A tune even toddlers can play ☆ Tried it on a keyboard harmonica

The song “Tokei no Uta” vividly captures the clock’s long and short hands moving and ticking in rhythm.

How about practicing it in June to coincide with Time Day on June 10? Since the melody spans a wide range and the finger movements are complex, it’s recommended to introduce it once students are comfortable with the melodica.

In the lyrics, the long hand is described as the ‘adult hand’ and the short hand as the ‘child hand,’ so when playing on the melodica, it’s good to adjust your breath accordingly to express loud and soft dynamics for each part.

King Kamehameha of the Southern Islandssakushi: itō akira / sakkyoku: morita kōichi

[For 4-year-olds Ensemble] For Recital: “Hamehameha King of the Southern Island” — Melodica, Bells, Guiro, Maracas, Homemade Instruments, Plastic Bottles, Let’s Try It! Kindergarten, Nursery School, Percussion — Akiko Yamamoto

How about trying to play “The Great King Kamehameha of the Southern Islands,” a perfect song for hot summer days, on the melodica? The tempo is fast and the piece is fairly long, so have a teacher or adult play the main melody while the children limit themselves to just three notes—like C, E, and G—to match the melody.

With simple finger movements, everyone can play together, making it enjoyable even for beginners who’ve just started the melodica.

Not only that, you can make the most of the song’s charming, unique lyrics by singing the chorus out loud, shaking maracas to the sound of waves, and freely enjoying an ensemble in various ways.

It’s a tune that will get everyone excited and energized, so be sure to include it as a practice piece for the melodica.

Mary’s lambsakushi, sakkyoku: sara heiru

Melodica “Mary Had a Little Lamb” … 4-year-olds (Elephant Class)

Often included in music textbooks, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is an American nursery rhyme.

The title is one that’s likely to make children ask, “Who is Mary?” The song is said to have originated from a story about a girl named Mary Elizabeth Sawyer, who, at her brother’s suggestion, took her pet lamb to school, causing quite a commotion.

It’s a delightful, uniquely American episode.

This piece can be played using only the notes do, re, mi, and so, and because the melody repeats often, it’s perfect for children who have just started playing the melodica.

Since it’s a very short song, practice it over and over to master basic finger movements.

Momotarosakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi

Easy Pianica Performance: “Momotarō” — A Song Even Young Children Can Play ☆ Tried Playing It on a Keyboard Harmonica

Composed by Teiichi Okano, this piece is a lively children’s song inspired by a traditional Japanese folktale.

It sets the brave story of Momotaro to a march-like, rhythmic tune that makes for a fun performance.

The lyrics spark children’s imaginations, and the easy-to-remember melody is part of its charm.

More than a century after its 1911 release, it remains a beloved classic.

It’s perfect for music activities in preschools and kindergartens, and it’s also great to play on a melodica!

Friendship HymnSakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Amerika Min’yō

Friendship Hymn

This is a bright, energetic song with the theme of the importance of friendship.

Set to the melody of an American folk tune with Japanese lyrics, it’s characterized by a lively rhythm and approachable words.

It spread from the 1970s to the 1980s and has been beloved as part of school education and choir repertoires.

It’s perfect for entrance ceremonies to ease the nerves of new students.

If everyone holds hands, forms a circle, and sings while dancing, smiles are sure to appear naturally.

I think it’s a wonderful song that creates a warm atmosphere to celebrate meeting new friends.