Folk Music of South Korea
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we journey to the eastern side of Asia to explore the rich folk music traditions of South Korea. From heartfelt folk songs to energetic drumming ensembles, Korean traditional music—known as gugak—is a vibrant part of the country’s culture and history. Join me as we explore: 🎶 Minyo – Traditional Korean folk songs passed down through generations 🎤 Arirang – One of Korea’s most beloved and historic songs 🎭 Pansori – Dramatic musical storytelling with a single singer and drummer 🥁 Samulnori...
info_outline
Folk Music of Ukraine
Busy Kids Love Music
In this episode of our Around the World summer series, we’re traveling to Ukraine, a country with a deep love of singing, a powerful history, and some truly fascinating folk instruments! Join me as we: Discover the meaning of folk music and why it matters. Learn about Ukraine’s journey to independence and how music has helped preserve its culture. Explore the beautiful three-part harmonies often sung a cappella by Ukrainian choirs. Hear traditional instruments like: Bandura – a harp-like instrument with up to 60 strings. Trembita – one of the world’s longest...
info_outline
Folk Music of Ethiopia
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to a brand new season of our summer series, Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! Every 2 weeks this summer, we’re visiting a different country to explore its folk music traditions—and today, we’re heading to the Horn of Africa to discover the rich and unique sounds of Ethiopia! In this episode, you’ll learn: What makes Ethiopian music sound so different from Western music The special musical scales called qignit (including the Tizita scale) The fascinating traditional instruments of Ethiopia: the krar, masenqo, and washint How music is woven into...
info_outline
Taps
Busy Kids Love Music
As we approach Memorial Day in the United States, this episode honors one of the most poignant and powerful pieces of American music — Taps. Although this bugle call is only 24 notes long, it carries deep meaning and emotion, used to honor those who have served and sacrificed in the military. In this episode, you and your young listeners will: Discover the origins of Taps during the Civil War. Learn about the bugle and how it was used to signal soldiers throughout the day. Hear different performances of Taps, including from Arlington National Cemetery. Reflect on how a simple melody...
info_outline
May Flowers
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we’re celebrating the blossoming beauty of spring with classical music inspired by flowers! This episode is the perfect follow-up to our April Showers adventure, and it’s all about music that captures the feeling of blooming gardens, delicate petals, and peaceful springtime scenes. 🌸 Here’s what we’re listening to today: Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – A graceful dance from The Nutcracker ballet that brings a garden of twirling flowers to life. Voices of Spring (Frühlingsstimmen) by Johann Strauss...
info_outline
Music for Our Planet
Busy Kids Love Music
Happy Earth Day! Today, we’re celebrating our beautiful planet the best way we know how—through music! 🎶 For centuries, composers have found inspiration in nature, and in this episode, we’re exploring three stunning pieces that bring the sounds of the Earth to life. 🎼 Featured Music: Beethoven’s "Pastoral Symphony" – A joyful musical journey through the countryside, filled with singing birds, flowing streams, and even a thunderstorm! Smetana’s "The Moldau" – A breathtaking piece that follows the journey of a mighty river as it winds through forests, villages, and castles....
info_outline
April Showers
Busy Kids Love Music
"April showers bring May flowers!" This common saying reminds us that rainy days lead to beautiful spring blooms. In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re exploring three classical pieces that capture the sound and feeling of rain. From gentle drizzles to powerful storms, these composers found incredible ways to bring rain to life through music. 🎵 Music Featured in This Episode: 1️⃣ "Raindrop" Prelude – Frédéric Chopin Listen for the repeating note that sounds like steady raindrops. Did you know Chopin may have been inspired by a real rainstorm while staying at an old...
info_outline
Sonata Form
Busy Kids Love Music
Hi friends! Have you ever wondered what makes a sonata different from other pieces of music? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of sonatas—one of the most important forms in classical music! You’ll learn: ✅ What the word "sonata" means and where it comes from ✅ How composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn used a special structure called sonata form ✅ How to listen for the exposition, development, and recapitulation in famous sonatas 🎧 We’ll explore examples from Mozart’s “Easy Sonata,” Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” and more! Listen closely and...
info_outline
Turlough O’Carolan
Busy Kids Love Music
Happy (almost) St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re traveling back in time to explore the life and music of one of Ireland’s most beloved composers—Turlough O’Carolan. Known for blending traditional Irish melodies with European Baroque influences, O’Carolan created music that is still performed and loved today. 🎵 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Who was Turlough O’Carolan, and how did he become a traveling harpist? ✅ What are planxties, and why did O’Carolan compose them? ✅ How did he blend Irish folk music with Baroque elements...
info_outline
Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins
Busy Kids Love Music
In this special Black History Month episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we explore the life and legacy of the extraordinary musician and composer, Blind Tom Wiggins. Born into slavery in 1849, Blind Tom overcame immense challenges, including blindness and exploitation, to become one of the most celebrated musical prodigies of the 19th century. Join me as we delve into his remarkable story, his unique musical talent, and his enduring contributions to American music. Learn about his compositions, including his dramatic retelling of a Civil War battle in "The Battle of Manassas," and discover how...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 128 of Busy Kids Love Music! I’m thrilled to bring you the 4th stop of our Around the World series, where we journey to different countries to explore their unique folk music traditions. Today, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant sounds of Argentina!
In This Episode:
- Chacarera: Discover this lively folk style from rural Argentina, characterized by guitars, bombo drums, and energetic dance movements.
- Zamba: Experience the melancholic beauty of zamba, a slower genre with roots in indigenous and African music, featuring graceful dances with handkerchiefs.
- Tango: Learn about the iconic tango, its rich history, and its evolution from the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires to a global phenomenon.
- Instruments: Explore the distinctive sounds of Argentine folk music with instruments like the bombo drums and the bandoneón, adding depth and emotion to the compositions.
Join me again in two weeks for our final destination of the Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music summer series. Keep listening, exploring, and loving music!
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
DOWNLOAD YOUR PASSPORT STAMP FOR ARGENTINA
Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:
Facundo Toro - Enganchado de Chacareras pal' asado con amigos
ZAMBA Romantica ARGENTINA Georgina & Oscar MANDAGARAN
Buenos Tango | ARGENTINE MUSIC [The Best of Tango]
Che, Bandoneón! - Anibal Troilo - (arr. Leopoldo Federico)
Music from Argentina for Guitar and Bandoneon
Playlist for Episode 128
The beautiful instruments and dances of Argentina can be viewed in this curated playlist on my YouTube channel.
Subscribe & Review
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more music-loving families!