DISCLAIMER: I am not the original author of The Monkey Song. It is a tool commonly used in Suzuki Method violin, viola, and cello lessons. This video and text below outline how I use it in my lessons.
The student’s first assignment with this song is to learn to sing it while placing the fingers on the fingerboard. This allows them time to guide the fingers in the right place, without worrying about the bow or sound quality of their instrument.
Once they are able to sing the song and place the fingers, we add the bow, which is performing the “Pepperoni Pizza” rhythm they have been practicing on the open strings.
Here are the lyrics I use for The Monkey Song:
I’m a little monkey, [add one finger]
Climbing up a ladder, [add second finger]
Climbing up so high to [add third finger]
Pick a pink banana. [tap the pinkie on the fingerboard and freeze]
I’m a little monkey, [lift third finger]
Climbing down the ladder, [lift second finger]
Climbing down so low to [lift first finger]
Eat my pink banana.
Please remember that these instructions above are for violin and viola. The finger movements are slightly different for cello and guitar, but the lyrics are the same. You can see my other videos (links to follow) for specific details regarding playing this song on the cello and guitar.
The Monkey Song is an invaluable tool to building left hand strength and preparing the student for using their fingers to play basic pieces. In fact, these three fingers, and their placement on the fingerboard, are all we will use for the first 12-13 pieces in the method book. We will add the pinkie finger around the 8th piece, once the other three fingers have established their “home base”.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on using The Monkey Song, or practicing it.