Be careful not to get led astray! A roundup of challenging yet fun rounds (canon songs)
A round is a style of singing where you follow the person before you, coming in slightly later and chasing their line.
Many people probably sang well-known rounds like “The Frog Chorus” (Kaeru no Gasshō) and “The Bear in the Forest” (Mori no Kuma-san) when they were children.
So, what other rounds are there besides these?
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of rounds, from classic staples to lesser-known gems.
Songs used for rounds often have fun and amusing lyrics.
If any catch your interest, be sure to pay attention to the lyrics and try singing them as a round for fun!
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- [Choral Piece] High Difficulty! A selection of works that are hard to sing
- [Partner Song] Singing two different songs simultaneously! Nursery rhymes & the latest hits
- Let's sing together! A collection of nursery rhymes everyone knows
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- Tongue twisters that will make you laugh out loud! Super funny
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.
- [Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Get pumped with kids’ favorite songs! A memorable collection of classics that will make you want to sing along
Be careful not to get carried away! A roundup of challenging but fun canon songs (1–10)
rice paddleSakushi: Komiyaji Satoshi / Sakkyoku: Doitsu
A round song starring the rice paddle that will have you craving freshly steamed rice as you listen.
Many rounds end up with a bit of dissonance partway through, but this one has beautiful harmonies throughout, so you can enjoy singing it in a round all the way to the end.
The compact, easy-to-remember lyrics are a nice bonus.
Even children who aren’t fond of rice might feel like giving it a try after happily singing along in a round while watching a video of fluffy rice being served with a paddle!
Warm and leisurely strollingSakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Komori Akihiro
A lively song that makes you want to go outside for a walk! The popular children’s song “Pokapoka Tekuteku,” often sung in daycare and kindergarten, is an adorable tune that depicts children having a great time on an outing.
While it’s often sung simply as-is, it’s actually perfect for singing in a round, too.
Once you’ve learned the lyrics, let’s sing with lots of energy—marching in place, walking around the classroom in circles, or adding simple choreography to get your bodies moving!
My Friend Kanonsakushi sakkyoku koyama shōzō
Tomodachi no Canon, with lyrics and music by Shozo Koyama, is a song beloved as a choral piece.
The song celebrates how wonderful friends are, and it’s one we’d especially love for children to sing.
You can perform it straight without a round, so it’s fun to alternate between singing it as a round and singing it normally.
What’s challenging is not only the sections where the same melody is sung in a round, but also the parts where harmonies are layered while singing in a round.
Singers who come in later, of course, and those in the lead who are sustaining notes both need to be careful not to get pulled off pitch along the way.
Give it a try for school, daycare, or kindergarten choirs!
Canon of MosquitoesSakushi: Koyama Shōzō / Sakkyoku: Hangarī min’yō
The Canon of the Mosquito is based on a Hungarian folk song.
When a mosquito bites you, it gets really itchy, right? This slightly aggressive piece says, “Get it before that happens!” The melody is rather dark, conveying a sense of hostility toward the approaching mosquitoes.
It can be sung either as a round or straight through, but singing it as a round adds momentum to the depiction of swatting them one after another.
During the parts where you’re defeating the mosquitoes, adding actual clapping motions to mimic swatting will make the round even more fun.
Piglet’s TrumpetLyrics・Composition: Satoshi Komiyaji
A delightful round in which a little pig blows a trumpet and a little bird plays the piccolo! The trumpet sound written as “boopa” evokes the image of the pig trying hard to play a tricky instrument, and you can’t help but smile as you listen.
It’s fun to sing it as a round as is, but it’s also recommended to actually play a whistle or flute in time with the sounds.
Once you get used to singing in staggered entries, gradually increase the tempo to shape it into a lively, upbeat piece.