Music lesson plan: Saint-Saëns' \"Kangaroo\"

Have you ever listened to a piece of classical music that made you laugh?

Saint-Saëns’ "Kangaroo" from The Carnival of the Animals is one of those rare compositions that can do exactly that with its playful energy and storytelling.

In this week’s lesson, we hopped into the world of this quirky masterpiece, uncovering its features for homeschooling families to appreciate and enjoy (join my live lessons for free).

Understanding how to capture the mood and energy of a piece is a vital skill for young musicians.

"Kangaroo" offers a perfect opportunity to experiment with:

Let's dive in?

The essence of "Kangaroo" lies in its bouncy staccato touch, found when the music takes its playful leaps up the piano. Hit play on the recording above and you'll hear it straight away (when 'Kangaroo' begins at 7m24s).

Students in this week's lesson learnt to listen for articulation and heard how a light staccato touch can bring to life the kangaroo’s playful jumps.

We explored how changes in volume—from soft, delicate sounds to sudden bursts of energy—add character to the piece.

This contrast paints a vivid image of a kangaroo pausing and then springing into action.

We heard how the flexible, rubbery rubato rhythm conveyed the erratic movements of a kangaroo. In other cases, rubato can make music more expressive.

Beyond the notes, we discussed how storytelling enhances musical performance. Playing, or listening to, this piece without thinking of a Kangaroo should be...illegal!

Students in this week's lesson imagined scenes of kangaroos bounding through the Australian outback and moved with the music like krazy kangaroos!

What other examples of Programme Music do you know?

• Step 1: First listen to the piece and have your children listen for the "hops."
• Step 2: Act like a kangaroo! Jump softly during the quiet sections and make a big leap when the music gets louder.
• Step 3: Turn it into a game: Can you predict when the next big jump will happen? This is great for developing concentration and musical anticipation, as well as help kids appreciate compositional structure.

Don't forget: I make music history fun and meaningful with my weekly, interactive live music lessons. Check them out here!