Uncle Nobody Productions

Ninny Cow Tea

NINNY COW TEA: 58 Really Short Songs with Lyrics by Children age 3-5

LISTENING EXMPLES AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

Available on CD and as a download at www.cdbaby.com/cd/ninnycow .

100% of proceeds benefit the educational programs of New Discovery School. www.newdiscoveryschool.org

Ninny Cow Tea recieved a 5 star rating and was an editor's pick at CD Baby.com. Here is a review:

"The songs may be short, but there's 58 of 'em and they each feature lyrics penned by different 3-5 year old little songwriter. A magnificently conceived project born out of their school's music program, this fully realized album really gives the kids a voice, not only in the writing, but in the singing as well. The songs are upbeat and fun, lending themselves well to the zany and riled up background vocals that the young ones provide. While the songs are lighthearted musically and melodically, the lyrics are surprisingly poignant, reflecting childhood experience with an innocence and simplicity that an adult couldn't possibly replicate: "I had a dream that a monster ate me/ I was sliding down the tongue/ I came back out but I felt great/ And not in pieces/ I felt great." These small bits of poetry are intriguing in their frankness, containing a one of a kind perspective that manages to be both funny and artistically admirable at the same time. And, it's worth mentioning that proceeds from the sale of the CD go right back to the school where it came from!"

HOW THE PROJECT WAS MADE:

This CD began as a portion of the music program at New Discovery School. In trying to demonstrate the process of songwriting, I had each child compose a short lyrical phrase on the spot, one at a time. I tried prompting them with words like: “Tell me your song.” or “Tell me something that you like.”explaining that their song could be about anything they want. After getting their ideas on paper, then came the task of putting the words into melodic form. If the child was willing and capable, I would ask them to sing their words. If they were able to do so (most were not able or willing in the moment), I then helped them to solidify the melody. Otherwise I demonstrated by putting the words into a tune myself. We then sang the song as a group a few times, accompanied by the guitar, before
recording a rough version. We were generally able to accomplish 3 or 4 songs for a half hour class. Once all of the children in the school had a song, we then would practice them each week. This involved dancing and singing along to them, as well as the songs being used as teaching tools for basic musical concepts like pitch, rhythm, volume and tempo. Apart from having fun and learning about music, this project also helped build a sense of community between children. They all took a keen interest in learning the songs of each of the other children at the school. They also drew pictures to illustrate their songs. Which is part of the inlay card for the CD. At a certain point it became evident that it would be fun to record a more professional version of the songs to demonstrate how a collaborative studio project comes to fruition, and that this would be a great way to raise money for the school while also producing a compact disc. So began the process of recording drums, adding layers of guitar and other instruments as well as recording vocals. As the accompanying music for each song was completed, I would then bring the recorded version to school and have the children record their vocal tracks as a group.

Bret Ellerton is a preschool teacher and musician in Seattle Washington. As the music specialist for New Discovery School, he writes music with the children in addition to other fun musical activities.

If you like what you hear below, you can hear more songs by Bret and the kids here: http://unclenobody.mosaicglobe.com/playlist/244

Audrey_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Ghostie Ate Up All the School

Ghostie ate up all the school. And then he ate the teachers. Then he ate the children. And then he walked around with a big fat tum tum. ------------------------------------------------ Words by Audrey. Music by Bret Ellerton. Drums by Mike Plympton. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Alexander_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Cephalopods

Octopus. Cuttlefish. Nautilus. Squid. Cephalopods, cephalopods, cephalopods. They have eight arms, sharp beaks, and a round head. Big eyes the shape of a pizza. They eat clams, oysters, crabs and scallops. They move by jetting water out of holes on the side of their heads. Cephalopods. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Alexander. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by kids of NDS and Bret.

Anjuli_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Trip To Hawaii

One time ago we went to Hawaii. We went to the beach and then we went back home. Then we went on another trip to San Francisco. ------------------------------------------------- Words by Anjuli. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Clair_T_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Batman Helps People

Batman Helps People -------------------------------------------------- Words by Clair T. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Declan_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

The Ghost and The Pumpkin

The ghost goes to the pumpkin's house. The ghost steals the pumpkin's bed. The ghost goes back to his home. And the pumpkin comes home and realizes his bed is gone! The pumpkin goes to the ghost's house and steals back his bed. And the pumpkin and the ghost go to sleep. ------------------------------------------------- Words by Declan. Music by Bret. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Miles_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

I Had a Dream One Day

I had a dream one day, and it didn't tell me anything. So it was kind of weird. First, the trains are the good part. They freeze you up (is the bad). I had a dream one day. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Miles. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Elise_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

My Dog Chews His Harness Up

My dog chews his harness up. He likes to chew his harness. He doesn't like to swim. And he bites and licks and nips. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Elise. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

David_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

The Endless Hole

My mom had a dream that she was falling down a hole. She never landed. She was scared, she never landed. -------------------------------------------------- Words by David. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret

Cameron_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Train Without Brakes

A train is going down a very steep hill. Its going too fast and it doesn't have breaks. Its going to crash. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Cameron. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret. Crashing noises by children of NDS (Serious Toy Dumping).

Felipe_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe-01.mp3

Sliding Down The Tongue

I had a dream that a monster ate me. I was sliding down the tongue. I came back out and I felt great! And not in pieces. I felt great! -------------------------------------------------- Words by Felipe. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Duke_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

I Like To Play Games

I like to play games. I like to play games. I like to play tag. Thats a very fun game. I also like to watch tv. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Duke. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Milay_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

Hopscotch With A Ghost

Me and my sister were playing hopscotch. A ghost played with us. I was falling asleep and I didn't know I was asleep. I was sleeping with my teddy bear. My red teddy bear. -------------------------------------------------- Words by Milay. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by children of NDS and Bret.

Pippa_Mixdown_Mosaic_Globe.mp3

My Worm

I was with my worm and my worm nibbled my hand. He nibbled some papers too. He nibbled and nibbled and nibbled and nibbled and nibbled the whole house! -------------------------------------------------- Words by Pippa. Music by Bret. Drums by Mike. Singing by Bret.