My Library Workshops Lesson Kits Sheet Music Blog About Us

MODAL PLAYTHINGS: LARGELY LYDIAN

Cyndee Giebler

Cyndee Giebler's Largely Lydian Collection features seven compositions, written to be fun and accessible!
The Lydian Mode - characterized as a major scale with a raised fourth - is a unique soundscape, often creating a dreamy, etheral, bright, or expansive quality to a piece. Cyndee notes that this collection serves as a supplement to the Paralipomena, which feature Lydian compositions but in a limited, advanced, and almost esoteric application. Cyndee's collection aims to introduce this fascinating mode with flexiblity, joy, and ease for all your upper elementary ensembles who need a new canvas after the pentatonic mode.

LYDIAN ALLEGRETTO

Scored for alto-everything, this piece features an alto xylophone in 2 against the alto metallophone in 3, creating a unique swaying feel. This piece is a great first exercise in alto recorder, as the alto part can be taught by rote using soprano recorder fingerings. The soprano recorder interlude is almost exclusively G-C, but offers a great opportunity for learning F# in measures 25 and 33. The F# lands long and strong on a downbeat (as opposed to trying to master the fingering as a fleeting passing tone). For larger ensembles, a duet is possible with soprano recorder and tenor or bass by transferring the alto xylophone part onto the larger recorders in the interlude section. Instructional adaptation can be made to the alto barred parts by simplifying the arpeggiated rhythm to simple block chords on the dotted half note. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Alto Metallophone, Alto Xylophone, Soprano Recorder, Alto Recorder
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
LYDIAN ALLEGRETTO
0:57
 

CONTAGIOUS SASSY SONG

"I'm going to be honest about this -  I wrote this song with the puppet Lamb Chop in mind!" The fun, catchy, recurring rhythmic syncopation channels the whimsy and joy of a song that you can't get out of your head. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Voice, Alto Xylophone
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
CONTAGIOUS SASSY SONG
0:46
 

ICELANDIC TEASING SONG

"This one is a blast - it almost sounds like circus music." Based on the Lydian folk music from Scandanavia, this question-answer style song is an easy-to-teach song that children can improvise over, with the potential to personalize. Your students can explore how to fit their own responses and themes into the call and response structure, while playing a fun ostinato to accompany themselves. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Voice, Alto Xylophone, Bass Xylophone
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
ICELANDIC TEASING SONG
0:22
 

LYDIAN CANON

The syncopation and a tonally ambigious intro of this canon leads into a beautiful solidification in second measure. The B Section (m.9) can be simply taught by beginnning both hands in octaves, and kinesthetically training right hands to walk down the lydian scale, then add syncopation. The simple instruction allows ensembles to get this one off the ground quickly, adding a great resource to your library for use in small units or larger projects or performances. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Soprano Xylophone, Alto Xylophone, Bass Xylophone
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
LYDIAN CANON
0:37
 

LYDIAN MARCH

The Bb tonal center provides a rare opportunity to use your Bb bass bar! A comedic combination of bass drum (or hand drum or tubano) and triangle offer some humor and levity. The soprano xylophone part at m.9 can be simplified by referring back and reusing the original thematic iteration of that theme at m.5. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Soprano Xylophone, Alto Xylophone, Bass Xylophone, Triangle, Bass Drum
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
LYDIAN MARCH
0:24
 

LYDIAN PROCESSIONAL

The idea behind this piece was the "Mrs. Geibler Cheater Recorder Ensemble." The alto recorder parts can be played by simply reading off the soprano recorder part, which will naturally transpose the part. The simplicity of the notiation and transposing part provides plenty of flexibility in how you teach the piece (by rote, by rhythmic building blocks, or by notation. This piece provides and accessible entry point for C# Soprano or F#.  The alto recorder fingering can be easily simplified or advanced based on which level of rhythmic and articulation complexity your students are ready for. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Soprano Recorder 1 & 2, Alto Recorder
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
LYDIAN PROCESSIONAL
1:24
 

LYDIAN WALTZ

Cyndee's love of Studio 49 glockenspiels was the inspiration for this sweet little waltz. Consider removing the D and E glockenspiel bars to be able to teach the part as a simple descending scale by rote. 

  • Classroom
  • Upper Elementary
  • Soprano Glockenspiel, Alto Glockenspiel
Purchase Collection
Play a Sample
LYDIAN WALTZ
1:02
 

CYNDEE GIEBLER is a vibrant, eclectic, and innovative elemental music teacher, composer, and adult educator living and teaching in northeast Wisconsin. Passionate about igniting a lifelong love of music, Cyndee brings boundless energy, creativity, and versatility to every learning environment. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and completed her master’s degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She has presented workshops for American Orff-Schulwerk Association chapters around the country as well as state, regional, and national conventions.  

 With a unique and dynamic approach to repertoire and instruction, Cyndee weaves together a wide range of musical influences and pedagogical applications, making music accessible and exciting for every student. Her lessons and compositions are flexible and student-centered to engage young learners of all backgrounds and abilities. Her approach ensures each child experiences music as a joyful, expressive, and empowering part of life. Her classroom is a place of curiosity, creativity, and celebration, where every voice is valued and every child is encouraged to shine. Teaching With Orff is proud to offer Cyndee’s library and pedagogical insights directly to you and serve as a conduit for her unique approach to instruction.  

LARGELY LYDIAN COLLECTION

$29

USD

Cyndee Giebler's Largely Lydian Collection features seven compositions, written to be fun and accessible! 

Lydian Allegretto

Contagious Sassy Song

Icelandic Teasing Song

Lydian Canon

Lydian March

Lydian Processional

Lydian Waltz

After completing your purchase, all pdf's will be added to your online library for immediate download.

PURCHASE COLLECTION