The Swing

This piece was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's poem also called The Swing.

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

The Swing - Chee-Hwa Tan Demonstration

The Swing - Chee-Hwa Tan ABRSM

Listen to the music LOTS!

First time: Clap the pulse.

Second time: What is the character of the music - come up with one or two words. (E.g. mysterious, funny)

How is the pianist showing the character of the music? (e.g. playing loudly, playing smoothly)

Third time: Can you come up with a STORY for the music? Look at the title: The Swing.

Fourth time: Can you identify the STRUCTURE of the song? Are there long sections which repeat?

Fifth time: Can you clap the rhythm as you listen?

Sixth time: Can you sing along with any parts of it?

Seventh time: Can you play any of it by ear on the piano?

Eight time: Can you mark the phrases in the air? A phrase is like a musical sentence, at the end of each phrase there is a little pause before the next musical sentence (or idea) happens. Show the phrases by making long rainbow shapes in the air as you listen.

Ninth time: Do you like the music? Why or why not?

Tenth time: Can you use ideas from the music to create your own piece called THE SWING?

Eleventh time: Can you hear where the sustain pedal might have been used?

Twelfth time: Can you hear the DYNAMIC changes? How quietly or loudly does the piece begin? Does it stay the same volume or does it change? When? Does it finish loudly or quietly?

Question 1

Where did the composer get the inspiration to write this piece of music? (Clue - answer at the top of this page)

Question 2

Chee-Hwa Tan is a Malysian Pianist, teacher and composer. She now lives in a different country - click on this link and find out where she lives and works now (tip, it's right at the bottom of the page!)

http://chee-hwa.com/bio/#:~:text=A%20native%20of%20Malaysia%2C%20Ms,and%20their%20four%20musician%20children.

Question 3

This piece is also by Chee-Hwa Tan. It is called The Wind. Can you think of 2 reasons how the music sounds like the wind?

Question 4

In the Classical era, often pieces were written as a dances or as entertainment for someone like a King or Queen to listen to. composers then began to compose music that was much more emotional and told a story or painted a picture. Do you think this piece is written in the style of Romantic Music or Classical Music?

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