Banana Boat Song

This Jamaican folk song is in Calypso style.

Children love it's laid-back, gentle syncopation!

For older students a great activity is to have them discover what added-note chords they can play with this song.

There is a very clear, descending dominant 7th in the 2nd half of the song.

This song has a range of an 11th.

Get Unlocked
File Audio Analysis
Loading preview...

Audio Player

Kodály Analysis:

Banana Boat Song Theme: Multicultural Games:
Partner: Form: Song Type:
Scale: Major CSP: D - C Age: Lower Secondary - Upper Secondary
Tones: s low ti low d finalis r m f s l ti d high Rhythm: ; ; ; ; ;  
Melodic: d high ti l s ; s d ; d m d ; d r d finalis ; m s d high ; d high d ; f r ti low s low ; s low d ; d d high

 

Origin: Traditional Jamaican
Source:

You might also be interested in...

Buy A Penny Ginger This fun singing game can be used to prepare the melodic element 'ti'.
more...
Dumplins Learn names, teach 're' and practise syncopa all with this traditional Caribbean song!
more...
Hey Lolly A fun song for improvising words or names!
more...
Banana Boat Song (Time Signatures - Missing Bar Lines) 'Banana Boat Song (Time Signatures - Missing Bar Lines)' is a...
more...
Return to Browse all songs | Search for specific songs

 
or use our Advanced Search
Facebook
 

About Us

Get Started

What's Happening?

Follow Us

© My Song File 2011
Web Design and SEO by MDA Studios; Database by IT Works