Here’s a fun thing to do on a dull day – set a poem to music! You don’t have to be a singer or musician. This is just for you – and hopefully friend, family and followers so they can catch the idea too.
Take a favourite poem, or browse online or through a book of poems for one that appeals, then think up a tune to go with it. You could either make one up, just singing whatever comes into your head as you read, or take a tune you know and fit the words to it as best you can.
You can always repeat a word, take out a line, change the tune or fiddle about with your material in other ways to make it hang together. No rules!
For my example, I’ve used a poem of my own, ‘From Sand to Sand’, to avoid copyright problems, and Greensleeves, which the composer, Henry VIII, is unlikely to complain about. Apologies in advance for my voice!!
Please click link to watch and listen:
You’ll find another of mine there with percussion – ‘Monsters Are No Use’ – adding percussion is another enjoyable way to enhance a poem.
By the way, in these photos I happen to be with school children, but I do this at home for my own pleasure too – anyone can! So, happy poetry-music-making!
Kate
(Do share comments and creations here or on Twitter @Katypoet!)
Copyright material on this page: Kate WIlliams
Kate Williams 
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