Fun video of "This Train," a great song from the Winter collection!
We have another spiritual in the Spring session. These songs are important because they are a part of American history. "This Train" began as a spiritual and then was adapted to by Woodie Guthrie, and others, to be a folk song as well.
African American spirituals often had code words. Sometimes in reference to the underground railroad. To learn more about spirituals and their meanings click here.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Rest
Most of my days are packed full of activity. I am sure most of yours are as well. I plan as much as I can and expect a fair number of curve balls from my three lovely children. In thinking about how I would describe most days with a piece of music Buggy Ride fits well. It's fast, non-stop, going from one instrument to another and back again, but enjoyable to listen to!
However, one thing I always try to plan in the day is time for my kids to rest. Time for the baby to take a nap and the rest of us to snuggle up in my bed to read books and work on schoolwork. Most parents make sure there is rest time for their young children. It is a necessary quiet time for the children and the adults. Think about the days when your child does not take a nap. You probably didn't get chores, phone calls, emails, or some other adult quiet time activity done. Most Mom's don't like to think about their little ones not napping. We need that quiet.
Similarly, we need that quiet in music too!
Often in early childhood music we talk about the sounds and movements the children are producing. The lesson plan moves quickly (and hopefully efficiently) from one song to the next. There are songs with more movement and some with less but we are making noise and moving continually. Sometimes the rests are forgotten.
When I teach preschool children I have begun to have them lay their head on their hand like they are resting during rests in the music. Saying SHHHH for the rest still puts a noise there, which defeats the purpose. Shhhh might prepare us for listening, but it is not quiet.
When I sing a tonal pattern or speak a rhythmic pattern to you in class, you need a moment of silence (even if it's a tiny one) to audiate that in your head and prepare to sing or speak it back to me. If I filled that necessary silence it would impair you brains ability to process what I asked you to copy, consequently making it difficult to repeat back to me.
So I encourage you to think about silence in music this week.
The other day I was frustrated with my kids. Their needs were continual. There was no silence in the house. So I stopped talking. Not to be mean, I just needed quiet. What happened next was amazing. As they played outside together, near me, they would ask questions, then answer them themselves. They would ask where something was, then go find it themselves! When I didn't immediately jump up to get it for them or continually interject words between theirs they did things (they were able to do) for themselves! And after being quiet for awhile my nerves were calmer too!
So I encourage you to think about silence in general this week.
I actually had a hard time finding songs with good silences in them.
In class our play along was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious which has a part where the music stops and one of the characters continues speaking. We typically stop playing instruments and listen during that part so that will suffice for a type of silence.
Similarly, when we danced to the song Jump In the Line the music stops (around 2:45) and the beat continues, giving you another type of silence to listen for.
STOMP is a rhythmic group. If you have never seen them before I encourage you to search for them on YouTube. They keep complex rhythms going together with fun found objects. As discussed above, they must have some silences to be able to process what comes next and how to stay together. Look and listen for the silence in this video.
And lastly, this was a video I stumbled across that is a relaxing reflection on silence.
However, one thing I always try to plan in the day is time for my kids to rest. Time for the baby to take a nap and the rest of us to snuggle up in my bed to read books and work on schoolwork. Most parents make sure there is rest time for their young children. It is a necessary quiet time for the children and the adults. Think about the days when your child does not take a nap. You probably didn't get chores, phone calls, emails, or some other adult quiet time activity done. Most Mom's don't like to think about their little ones not napping. We need that quiet.
Similarly, we need that quiet in music too!
Often in early childhood music we talk about the sounds and movements the children are producing. The lesson plan moves quickly (and hopefully efficiently) from one song to the next. There are songs with more movement and some with less but we are making noise and moving continually. Sometimes the rests are forgotten.
When I teach preschool children I have begun to have them lay their head on their hand like they are resting during rests in the music. Saying SHHHH for the rest still puts a noise there, which defeats the purpose. Shhhh might prepare us for listening, but it is not quiet.
When I sing a tonal pattern or speak a rhythmic pattern to you in class, you need a moment of silence (even if it's a tiny one) to audiate that in your head and prepare to sing or speak it back to me. If I filled that necessary silence it would impair you brains ability to process what I asked you to copy, consequently making it difficult to repeat back to me.
So I encourage you to think about silence in music this week.
The other day I was frustrated with my kids. Their needs were continual. There was no silence in the house. So I stopped talking. Not to be mean, I just needed quiet. What happened next was amazing. As they played outside together, near me, they would ask questions, then answer them themselves. They would ask where something was, then go find it themselves! When I didn't immediately jump up to get it for them or continually interject words between theirs they did things (they were able to do) for themselves! And after being quiet for awhile my nerves were calmer too!
So I encourage you to think about silence in general this week.
I actually had a hard time finding songs with good silences in them.
In class our play along was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious which has a part where the music stops and one of the characters continues speaking. We typically stop playing instruments and listen during that part so that will suffice for a type of silence.
Similarly, when we danced to the song Jump In the Line the music stops (around 2:45) and the beat continues, giving you another type of silence to listen for.
STOMP is a rhythmic group. If you have never seen them before I encourage you to search for them on YouTube. They keep complex rhythms going together with fun found objects. As discussed above, they must have some silences to be able to process what comes next and how to stay together. Look and listen for the silence in this video.
And lastly, this was a video I stumbled across that is a relaxing reflection on silence.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Where Did Last Week Go?
Is it next week already? Wow, that went by fast. It's also time to start thinking about registering for Spring Music Together classes (early registration starts Feb. 11)! If you would like to have any say on Summer class schedule or next year please let me know what days and times work best for you. I am working on scheduling now.
This week in class we working on audiating the melody of She Sells Sea Shells while continuing to keep the rhythm with the finger cymbals. The ability to audiate, or keep the music and beat in your head, is a major goal your children are working on achieving. Having the adults audiate in class gives the children a chance to work on that skill, as well as giving the adults some insight into what their little ones brains are doing. We are going to continue to work on this skill in class!
Our dance last week was Harry Belafonte's "Jump In the Line." Such a fun song to dance and play instruments to!
ENJOY!
My family loves the Muppets so I can't resist sharing these awesome videos too!
Now do some rhythm patterns!
Try singing an ostinato along with Harry and the Muppets. An ostinato is a repeated part. Listen starting around 1:42 while Fozzie talks to Harry, the other characters continue an ostinato behind their conversation. Another great ostinato to use would be singing, "Daylight come and me wanna go home."
Our lullaby this week has steel pan drums in the accompaniment on the recording. As promised, here are some videos with steel pan music.
This week in class we working on audiating the melody of She Sells Sea Shells while continuing to keep the rhythm with the finger cymbals. The ability to audiate, or keep the music and beat in your head, is a major goal your children are working on achieving. Having the adults audiate in class gives the children a chance to work on that skill, as well as giving the adults some insight into what their little ones brains are doing. We are going to continue to work on this skill in class!
Our dance last week was Harry Belafonte's "Jump In the Line." Such a fun song to dance and play instruments to!
ENJOY!
My family loves the Muppets so I can't resist sharing these awesome videos too!
Now do some rhythm patterns!
Try singing an ostinato along with Harry and the Muppets. An ostinato is a repeated part. Listen starting around 1:42 while Fozzie talks to Harry, the other characters continue an ostinato behind their conversation. Another great ostinato to use would be singing, "Daylight come and me wanna go home."
Our lullaby this week has steel pan drums in the accompaniment on the recording. As promised, here are some videos with steel pan music.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Different Tonalities and Meters
This week in class we sang Pussycat. I told you that the most important part of this song was to sing it because it had a tonality that our ears are not used to. Pussycat is in e phrygian. If you are interested in understanding more about the structure of the phrygian scale I have added some information below. I encourage you to click the play button under the notated scale, listen, and then try to sing the fifth note of the scale and then the first like we do when we clean the instruments up. These are the two pitches from any song that will stick out the most to your child. These will be the pitches you will most likely hear them sing first.
Modern Phrygian mode
In modern western music (from the 18th century onward), the Phrygian mode is related to the modern natural minor musical mode, also known as the Aeolian mode: the Phrygian scale differs in its second scale degree, which is a semitone lower than that of the Aeolian.
The following is the Phrygian mode starting on E, or E Phrygian, with corresponding tonal scale degrees illustrating how the modern major mode and natural minor mode can be altered to produce the Phrygian mode:
E Phrygian Mode: E F G A B C D E Major: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 1 Minor: 1 ♭2 3 4 5 6 7 1
[edit]
This weeks dance!
Tip toe, kick, wiggle, and jump to French composer Jacques Offenbach's Can-Can.
Play along and dance to Kingdom Dance from the movie Tangled.
Did you notice in class that the meter changes in the middle of the song? Did it feel like couldn't find the correct beat for a minute during the play along? Around 1:12 the music changes from triple meter (1,2,3) to duple (1,2,3,4). See if you can hear and feel the change at home.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Turn you day around with a Waltz and a Lullaby
It can't be said enough how important singing lullabies is. The sound of your voice is soothing to your child. (Even if you don't agree). Singing lullabies to your child before bed helps them relax and fall asleep. I encourage you to also sing tonal patterns after the lullaby. Singing tonal patterns after a song gives your child an idea of the tonal structure of that song. Give it a try the same way we do in class. It may be simply singing the fifth and first notes of the key the song is in like we do in class. Don't over think it if that doesn't make sense, just try it.
Below is a link to the New York Philharmonic playing Arirang in Korea. Arirang is a traditional Korean folk song. We have sung it as our lullaby in class for the past two weeks. It is a beautiful song. It also introduces your child to lovely Asian tonalities.
Play the video while your child is playing something else in the room. They will enjoy listening even if they are not actively involved in watching the orchestra play.
If they are watching, point out what instruments you see in the orchestra while you listen. Try conducting like the conductor. Pretend you are playing the harp, violin, flute and other instruments you identify.
For our dance this week we waltzed! I love waltzing with my children in my arms. My favorite memories of when my oldest daughter was a baby was waltzing around her room with her and seeing her smile, laugh, and enjoy the movement of the music together. She still loves it when I pick her up and waltz, but we also enjoy holding hands to dance through the kitchen together. If you hit that 5:00 fussy hour and don't know what to do, try waltzing!
Here is the waltz from this week for some inspiration.
Below is a link to the New York Philharmonic playing Arirang in Korea. Arirang is a traditional Korean folk song. We have sung it as our lullaby in class for the past two weeks. It is a beautiful song. It also introduces your child to lovely Asian tonalities.
Play the video while your child is playing something else in the room. They will enjoy listening even if they are not actively involved in watching the orchestra play.
If they are watching, point out what instruments you see in the orchestra while you listen. Try conducting like the conductor. Pretend you are playing the harp, violin, flute and other instruments you identify.
For our dance this week we waltzed! I love waltzing with my children in my arms. My favorite memories of when my oldest daughter was a baby was waltzing around her room with her and seeing her smile, laugh, and enjoy the movement of the music together. She still loves it when I pick her up and waltz, but we also enjoy holding hands to dance through the kitchen together. If you hit that 5:00 fussy hour and don't know what to do, try waltzing!
Here is the waltz from this week for some inspiration.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Welcome to Winter!
Music Together classes in Lake Wylie were fantastic this week! I'm so glad to see both familiar and new faces in class. Thank you for being engaged in the musical activities we are doing in class. The more involved the adults are in the class the better all of the children will learn.
Our dance this week was Greg and Steve's version of the Chicken Dance
Our play along was Old Joe Clark (The tune Clap Your Hands comes from)
There are many versions of this classic song. I encourage you to check them out on iTunes or Amazon.
The version used in class was a bonus track from the Rambling Boy CD.
Lastly, this weekend the Charlotte Symphony is having a Lollipops concert. Their Lollipops concerts were created specifically for children. At 10:00 there is an orchestra petting zoo, drum circles, instrument making, and coloring. The concert begins at 11:00 and is a fabulous way to introduce children of all ages to the orchestra while not having to worry about them being a wiggly or leaving for the potty! This concert will feature, "Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony theme with a modern twist along side other orchestral favorites like Rossini's William Tell Overture and Brahms' Hungarian Dance." Click the links below to check out Project Trio, who will be the guest artist for the concert, more information about the Lollipops concerts, and some of the music you will be hearing!
A fun old cartoon that includes William Tells Overture
If you watch Little Einsteins with your child you may recognize the Hungarian Dance from there!
Some tips to make the most of class:
*Sing, dance, and make sure you're playing instruments too!
*Let your children be free in class as long as they are safe. You do not have to force them to do the activities. The only big rules are no running, and be nice to others and the instruments. Some children will wonder around and come back while others will sit still and watch. As long as the adults in the room are engaged in class they will all learn!
*Please bring extended family! Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, that lady next door that your child calls Grandma. Children learn best from the adults they are closest to. Your child will learn much much more from experiencing music with family than they will from me. I am just here to guide the class, pass out the instruments, and point out the awesome musical achievements your children are making. Music class would not work without all of the wonderful adult involvement.
*Invite a friend. If you have a friend that would like to try a free class please invite them. If they sign up you get a discount on your next session!
Thank you all for trying the little musical experiment we did in class. Below is the link to the video it came from. While I did not execute it anywhere near as well as Bobby McFerrin does, it was still fun to try. It definitely worked better in some classes than others. I think that had to do with where it was placed in class and the need to be watching children at the same time as watching me and singing. Either way it is a neat insight into how the human brain works.
Our dance this week was Greg and Steve's version of the Chicken Dance
Our play along was Old Joe Clark (The tune Clap Your Hands comes from)
There are many versions of this classic song. I encourage you to check them out on iTunes or Amazon.
The version used in class was a bonus track from the Rambling Boy CD.
Here is a fun version you can play along with at home!
Lastly, this weekend the Charlotte Symphony is having a Lollipops concert. Their Lollipops concerts were created specifically for children. At 10:00 there is an orchestra petting zoo, drum circles, instrument making, and coloring. The concert begins at 11:00 and is a fabulous way to introduce children of all ages to the orchestra while not having to worry about them being a wiggly or leaving for the potty! This concert will feature, "Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony theme with a modern twist along side other orchestral favorites like Rossini's William Tell Overture and Brahms' Hungarian Dance." Click the links below to check out Project Trio, who will be the guest artist for the concert, more information about the Lollipops concerts, and some of the music you will be hearing!
A fun old cartoon that includes William Tells Overture
If you watch Little Einsteins with your child you may recognize the Hungarian Dance from there!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Dance?
Here is a link to our free dance from this week so you can enjoy dancing all week long!
Why should you dance for your child? If your child does not show interest in dancing why not just sit down?
Dancing with your teaches them to put rhythm into the lower half of their body. This is a huge development for kids and adults! The ability to put the beat in your feet will help with coordination, sports, and dancing!
So whether you are holding your child while you dance, dancing while they sit and watch, or dancing with your child, make sure you dance and move those feet!
We are all born with ability to move and, nurtured in a proper developmental environment, that movement will change from our own rhythm to one that matches the music we hear and we are making. We can first express rhythms with our voice, then we learn to put that rhythm in the top half our bodies, and lastly we learn to express it in the lower half of our bodies. This is called the cephalocaudal trend.
"The cephalocaudal trend is the trend of infants learning to use their upper limbs before their lower limbs."
Some people never develop the ability to keep the beat in their feet. Even if your dance ins't "correct" you are still showing your child that it is OK and good to dance and move. So turn up the music and dance this week at home!
Why should you dance for your child? If your child does not show interest in dancing why not just sit down?
Dancing with your teaches them to put rhythm into the lower half of their body. This is a huge development for kids and adults! The ability to put the beat in your feet will help with coordination, sports, and dancing!
So whether you are holding your child while you dance, dancing while they sit and watch, or dancing with your child, make sure you dance and move those feet!
We are all born with ability to move and, nurtured in a proper developmental environment, that movement will change from our own rhythm to one that matches the music we hear and we are making. We can first express rhythms with our voice, then we learn to put that rhythm in the top half our bodies, and lastly we learn to express it in the lower half of our bodies. This is called the cephalocaudal trend.
"The cephalocaudal trend is the trend of infants learning to use their upper limbs before their lower limbs."
Some people never develop the ability to keep the beat in their feet. Even if your dance ins't "correct" you are still showing your child that it is OK and good to dance and move. So turn up the music and dance this week at home!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)