This is a silly song about a three-cornered hat. A three-cornered hat was popular in the 1700s and was called a "tricorn." ("Tri" means three.) It was great to wear in the rain because the turned up portions of the front of the hat formed gutters that directed rainwater away from the face, allowing the rain to fall past the shoulders! This song is called "Mein Hut" which means "My Hat." It was originally written in Germany, so it is sung in German. Let's learn the pronunciation of the German words:
Mein Hut er hat drei Ecken This means "My hat it has three corners." It is pronounced: Mine hoot ehr hast dry eh-kehn.
Drei Ecken hat mein Hut This means "Three corners has my hat." It is pronounced: Dry eh-khen haha mine hoot.
Und hatt er nicht drei Ecken This means "And had it not three corners." It is pronounced: Oont heht her neecht dry eh-kehn.
Dann ist er nicht mein Hut This means "It would not be my hat." It is pronounced: Dahn hist her neecht mine hoot.
Learn the motions to the song. Echo-sing each phrase while showing the motion to help others understand you!
Mein (my): Place hand on your chest.
Hut (hat): Place hand on your head.
Drei (three): Hold up three fingers.
Ecken (corners): Point to your elbow.
Listen to the melody of the song first. If you would like to try using the motions, please do! The song is sung in German first, then in English.
Learn the singing game (without the recording) for the melody. This game can be played in English first, then in German.
1st time: Sing the entire melody together, using all the motions.
2nd time: Be silent on the word my but show the motion. Continue singing and showing the motions for the rest of the song.
3rd time: Be silent on the words my and hat but show the motions for both. Continue singing and showing the motions for the rest of the song.
4th time: Be silent on the words my, hat, and three but show the motions for all three words. Continue singing and showing the motions for the rest of the song.
5th time: Be silent on the words my, hat, three and corners but show the motions for all four words. Continue singing the rest of the song.
6th time: Sing the entire melody together, using all the motions.
Listen to the countermelody of the song. A countermelody is a second melody added to a song. On the Lyric page, this is called "Voice 2."
Echo-sing each phrase of the countermelody until it is learned well.
Partner songs: Divide the class in half to sing the end of the song. Half the class will sing Voice 1 (melody) and the other half will sing Voice 2 (countermelody). If singing together is tricky, stand in two "song circles." This may help the groups to sing more independently.
Optional listening: Listen to this melody in "The Carnival of Venice." The melody is often played on a cornet/trumpet. Then, the player plays variations on the melody that get fancier to show off the trumpeter's skill!
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