Warabeuta-Based Song Making at a Special Needs Class in an Elementary School : Analysis of an Activity of a Clue Child

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of warabeuta on the process of song making by a clue child, Y, through the analysis of a warabeuta-based song making activity at a special needs class in an elementary school. "Song making" in this paper refers to making lyrics and adding melody to the lyrics so that the composer can sing alone or with other children. First, the significance of using the characteristics of warabeuta for song making has been investigated. Second, the process of a warabeuta-based song making activity using Koto at a special needs class in an elementary school has been analyzed with a focus on the changes in Y's song making. Finally, the effects of warabeuta on Y's song making process are discussed. The conclusions are as follows: 1) Through the experience of playing and singing warabeuta, and playing it with Koto, Y became aware of the musical elements, idioms and forms embedded in warabeuta and was able to use them freely to make his own song. 2) When Y changed the lyrics of warabeuta to make his own version, he was able to recall and sing his own daily experience with emotion. Due to the effects of warabeuta, Y was able to express himself through the warabeuta-based song making activity with high motivation and without difficulty.