Why Let’s Play Music Uses Folk Music

At Let’s Play Music, every song we teach has a purpose. You might notice that many of our class songs are folk songs—simple, traditional tunes that have been sung and passed down for generations. This isn’t just nostalgia or fun (though it’s definitely fun!)—there’s a lot of brain and music science behind it.

Folk Music: The Foundation of Musical Language

We like to call folk music the “mother tongue” of a child’s music language. Just as children learn to speak by hearing and repeating the sounds of their native language, they also learn music best by hearing and singing the songs that naturally fit their stage of development.

Folk songs are designed by time and tradition to appeal to children. They feature:

• Simple, singable melodies that match a child’s vocal range

• Predictable patterns and repetition that make them easy to remember and internalize

• Natural rhythms and phrases that feel intuitive to move to and play along with

  
  

These qualities make folk songs the perfect way to teach children the basic “grammar” of music—pitch, rhythm, form, and phrasing—without them even realizing they’re learning!

Training the Ear Through Tradition

The folk songs in our Let’s Play Music curriculum aren’t chosen at random. Each one contains intervals, harmonies, and musical forms that develop the ear and prepare the brain for higher-level music study.

When students sing and move to these songs, they’re building the inner hearing skills (also called audiation) that form the foundation for reading, composing, and playing music with understanding.

Over time, children start to hear music intelligently—they can anticipate what comes next, recognize intervals, and eventually translate those sounds onto the piano or another instrument.

Connecting Heart, Culture, and Learning

Folk music also connects children to something beyond technique: culture and emotion.Singing a folk song means participating in a shared human experience—songs that parents, grandparents, and children across generations have loved. These melodies tell stories, express emotion, and nurture a child’s natural sense of belonging.

At Let’s Play Music, we use timeless folk songs such as “Say Say Oh Playmate,” “Go Go Go,” and “Sally Go ’Round the Sun.”These playful tunes encourage steady beat, cooperation, listening, and social connection—while building strong musicianship skills through rhythm, melody, and movement.

These are more than just songs—they’re tools that help children feel music before they think music.

Try It at Home!

You don’t need instruments to make music together—just your voices and some room to move! Try singing one of our favorite folk songs at home:

• “Say Say Oh Playmate” – great for clapping patterns and timing.

• “Sally Go ’Round the Sun” – add movement by walking or spinning in a circle together.

• “Chamniamo Go-Go” – perfect for call-and-response and learning musical cues.

  
  

Encourage your child to keep the beat, sing confidently, and most of all—have fun!

Music learning begins with play, and that’s what Let’s Play Music is all about.

Experience the Joy of Learning Through Play

At Let’s Play Music, we don’t just teach about music—we help children become musicians.Through singing, movement, and play, your child will develop complete musicianship skills in a way that feels natural, joyful, and lasting.

👉 Find a class near you or learn more about our programs at letsplaymusicsite.com

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