School Runs In...Love Runs Out

Here is a quick and easy play-along for the start of the 2014-2015 school year.  The song is "Love Runs Out" performed by the group One Republic.  There is much good news with this popular song, not the least of which it is in G dorian mode.  Our Orff instruments are all set for this - all you'll need is B-flats and you're good to go!  The other good news is the lyrics have no "bad words" so you're safe to use it completely in tact in your classroom.

Please be sure to PURCHASE THE SONG before using this play-along.  A $1.23 investment isn't much.  Once you have it, you can use it as-is, there is no need to alter the key or tempo using a program such as Audacity.

This song follows a very simple I, IV, V chord progression, but in case you're not quite clear on the chord changes, I've posted the beginning play-along below.  Once you try it out, I'm sure you'll notice where the changes occur throughout the song.  Feel free to add or subtract instruments at will.  This is a fantastic review for students to see and hear the difference between BEAT and RHYTHM.  The hand drum part (or any type of drums will do) clearly plays the steady beat.  The other parts are playing a rhythm pattern (some more intricate than others).

I did this with my students by having three groups that used the Boomwhacker colors - Green (the G minor chord) Red (the C major chord) Orange (the D minor chord).  This was easier for them than having each student play all the chord changes.  I placed the three colors on the board and pointed and called out the changes as the recording played. 

There is a part in the actual recording where the bass line moves from C to B-flat and then to G, but I have only written "the basics" here for you.

Have fun!