Harmonikids Sessions

Many of the kids I taught had never seen or heard a harmonica before. Furthermore, most had never had any interaction whatsoever with a "Westerner" and would stare at me as if I were from another world. In fact, I was. I started each session introducing myself in Indonesian. Then I explained through a translator that I was there to give them new harmonicas and play songs with them. Often I noticed that the sessions would begin with many children looking somber, tentative, and even staring down in a depressed state. Others would fidget in excited anticipation. Upon telling them that I was there solely for them to have a good time, I would get spontaneous and unanimous applause as if relieved. Class facilities ranged from makeshift classrooms and refugee camps where the children sat politely cross legged on concrete floors on woven mats to dingy school rooms with beat up desks and benches. Rarely was there ventilation or fans and temperatures soared to a steamy 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

I began by performing an American Blues song, backed by a portable recording of a band that I brought along on my I Pod and speakers. Their response was that of curious delight. Though they had certainly never heard such music, they would tap their feet, clap their hands and snap their fingers in time. I would continue with a train song that I wrote which involves a harmonica energetically whistling and chugging to imitate a train. The lively song always brought eager smiles and bobbing heads in recognition of the sounds of a train. Universally, kids still love trains. Ironically, at one session of 200 kids, a nearby passing train actually rattled the building during my song, which brought along uncontrollable laughter and delight.

When I had sufficiently "warmed up my audience" I began teaching the songs. As an organization that provides musical therapy through the harmonica, the songs I choose to teach are very important. They must be positive, fun and simple songs that the children know by heart. As soon as I had landed in North Sumatra I started asking people what songs the children know and love. I was delighted to find out that everyone in Indonesia - child & adult - knew two songs that I teach special needs kids in the States. The first song that I taught was the simple jingle "Shave and a Haircut - Two Bits". Indeed, they have an Indonesian version. It's a song that kids can learn with lightening speed and enthusiasm. This set up their confidence to play the next song "Happy Birthday", another well-known song in Indonesia. I would dedicate the song to whichever child had a birthday that day.

By far, the most popular song I taught was an Indonesian nursery song called "Pontong Bebek Angsa". Children and adults alike absolutely and unanimously adore it and the mere mention of it inspires people to sing the lyrics. At each session, the children would gleefully sing the song together with me. Upon learning to play it on the harmonica, children would smile and beam with pride. Interestingly enough, this irresistibly adorable song has a literal translation as follows: "Slaughter a little duck, cook it in a pot, ladies choose dancers, turn to the left, turn to the right, la la la la la la la la." >More