All the English vowels are used at some point during the following song. This classic piece is from the 1965 movie entitled The Sound of Music. The singer, Julie Andrews, is well known for her very broad vocal range as well as for her role in many classic movies. In this one, she plays opposite Canadian actor, Christopher Plummer. “Based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp, the film is about a young woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a naval officer widower.” (Wikipedia)
As I have often written, singing is a great way to practice pronunciation, especially stress (which includes vowel lengthening) and reduction. Use the lyrics below to sing along. If you have kids, get them to sing along also.
My Favorite Things
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad