Title Epo I Tai Tai E’

Cultural Origin New Zealand (Maori) Folk Song

Source Transcription: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgJaofBX8-U
CSP F
Tempo 130

Transcribed from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgJaofBX8-U

Tone Set s, l, t, d r m f Scale Plagal Ionian

Rhythm Meter 4/4 (duple)
Form ab
Game/activity:

Hand clapping game that requires students to work with another partner. While singing the
song, students will also clap on the beat in the following pattern: 2 beats of patting their
laps/legs, 2 beats of them clapping their own hands, and 4 beats of them clapping their partners
hands. As students get comfortable with this pattern, switch it up with syncopation and other
variations (great opportunity to get students creating/composing patterns)

Activity inspired by: https://caldwellorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2016/03/teacher-tuesday-

maori-music-in.html

Pedagogical Analysis:

Melody: Ascending thirds-- la to do to me--, descending thirds—do to la to sol--, stepwise

motion, A B form which sounds familiar and then is different in the following section: students
have to listen closely.

Rhythm: Excellent present song for syncopation. Includes a dotted half note which could
introduce students to the concept of dotted notes and how to count/perform them.

Other: This folk song’s multiple versions/translations have an inappropriate meaning to the
lyrics for younger students because it is essentially an explicit love song. It is usually
misinterpreted as “I will be happy”, however, the true lyrics state otherwise. It will be important
for teachers to be aware of this.