Munchkins And Music

Calming Your Children--the Power of Music

2009-04-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

You can visit Seven Clown Circus today and read my post titled Calming Your Children--the Power of Music:

"I walk in the door after a long day of running errands with my cranky and tired kids. I drop the groceries on the counter and sigh as I think of the things I need to do before I can put these tired kids to bed...

Studies at Columbia University shows that surgeons who use music during operations, on average, were “mellower and better performers in the operating room.”...

So, what type of music will help calm your child?..."

Angie is awesome so make sure to visit her again and again!!

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2009-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Didgeridoo

Yes, you guessed right!! The Didgeridoo is a wind instrument from Australia. The Didgeridoo is made from Eucalyptus trees that have been hallowed out from termites. The didgeridoo has been around for about 1500 years and is one of the oldest wind instruments. To play the didgeridoo a player will vibrate their lips and blow air against a wax mouthpiece to produce a sound. A didgeridoo player uses a technique called circular breathing, which is a technique that many brass players use. To circular breathe, a player will breathe in through their nose and blow air out of their mouth at the same time. By using this technique, players can play their instrument without moving their mouth off of the mouth piece to take a breath. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo)

Below is an example of a didgeridoo being played:

Boom Boom Ain't it Great to be Crazy?

2009-03-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun song I use to sing as a kid around the camp fire:

Boom Boom Ain't it Great to be Crazy?

A horse and a flea and three blind mice
Sat on a curbstone shooting dice
The horse he slipped and fell on the flea
"Whoops," said the flea, "There's a horse on me!"

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Way down South where bananas grow
A flea stepped on an elephant's toe
The elephant cried, with tears in his eyes
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Way up North where there's ice and snow
There lived a penguin and his name was Joe
He got so tired of black and white
He wore pink slacks to the dance last night!

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Eli, Eli had some socks
A dollar a pair and a nickel a box
The more you wear 'em the better they get
And you put 'em in the water and they don't get wet!

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Called myself on the telephone
Just to hear that golden tone
Asked myself out for a date
Said be ready 'bout half-past eight!

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Listen Here (Click on number 12 to hear the song.)

Winter Activities for Toddlers in Anchorage Alaska

2009-03-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

1. Go to story time at the Alaska Zoo every Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. Story time is in a heated green room and lasts about 30 minutes. Every week the zoo staff teaches about a different animal. (Bundle up during the winter because the children will go outside to see the animals.) A family zoo pass costs $75.00 for a 1 year membership.

2. Attend an art class at the Dimond Center Mall. On Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. you can take your toddler to a craft class. The class is located right across from the Dimond Regal Theaters on the third floor in the Dimond Center Mall. There is no need to call ahead so just show up, the class is free!

3. Take Ice Skating lessons on Tuesday and Saturday. Classes are offered to toddlers ages 3 and up at the Ben Boeke Ice Arena. The classes are $100.00 for 2 months of lessons. The lessons include the ice skates and open family skate times. The teachers are really nice and make the children feel comfortable in the skates and on the ice.

4. Go Swimming at H2Oaisis Toddler Swim every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. The cost is $6.00 for children ages 1 and up. Parents get in free.

5. Burn off energy at the Arctic Gym Open Play Time Monday - Friday from 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. for children ages 2-11. The kids can play and exercise on 2 big trampolines, a foam pit, lowered balance beams and bars, and big exercise balls. The cost is $5.00 a child. Parents get in free.

6. The Children's Gallery at the Anchorage Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. and Sunday from noon- 6 P.M. The Children's Gallery offers activities and exhibits for your toddlers to play in and to look at. Admission is $8.00 for adults and free for children.

7. Go to Story Time at the Loussac Library. The Loussac Library offers Mothergoose for children ages 0-18 months and Lapsit for children ages 18 months - 3 years of age. The story tellers read great books and sing fun songs to keep your toddlers entertained.

8. Borders Books and Barnes and Noble offer story times and free store events every month. Check out Boarders Books calender here. Check out Barnes and Noble's calendar here.

9. Attend Pre-School Science Hour at the Anchorage Imaginarium on Mondays at 10 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. During Science Hour toddlers will learn different things about science and then make a craft about what they learned.

11. Visit Kardio Kids at The Alaska Club. Kardio Kids is for children ages 3 - 5 and is on Monday and Wednesday at 10:45 A.M. Kardio Kids is a fitness class that helps your toddlers to exercise and release energy.

12. Visit animals at Petco. Petco has a grooming service with big windows so your toddler can watch the animals being groomed. Petco also has fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles that are fun to watch.

13. Take your toddler to see a music concert. The Anchorage Concert Association offers concerts every month to take your toddlers to. This is a great way to integrate music into your toddlers life.

14. Enroll your toddler in ballet lessons at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. The Academy offers a Creative Movement class for children ages 3 and 4 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

15. Enroll your toddler in dance lessons at the Children's Dance Theatre or the Alaska Dance Theatre. There are ballet classes, creative movement classes, and the Children's Dance Theatre offers a Moms and Me class. Check out their websites for more information.

16. Enroll your toddler in swim lessons. There are multiple swim class locations in Anchorage to enroll your child in. Swim Like a Fish Foundation even offers scholarships for those children who meet low income guidelines.

17. Pet a reindeer, watch a video, and get a treat at Alaska Wild Berry Products. Alaska Wild Berry Products sells chocolates, jams, smoked salmon, sausages, and has a fun theater and park to visit.

18. Play and make crafts at the Spenard Community Recreation Center. The Spenard Community Recreation Center offers toddle time for children ages 0-2 years old and Tons of Fun for Tots for children ages 3-5 years old.

19. Burn off some energy at For the fun of it located at 2840 Commercial Drive. For the fun of it is full of air inflated slides, jumpers, and domes. There are balls to throw around and fun games. For the Fun of it is open 7 days a week and costs $10.00 for 2 hours ages 2 and up. Adults get in free.

20. Visit a specialty toy store such as Classic Toys and Over the Rainbow Toy Store. These stores are open 7 days a week and sell high end specialty toys, wooden toys, and many other toys that most toy stores don't sell. These toys are very durable and fun to play with.

21. Jump, slide, and run around at Bouncin' Bears located in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer. Bouncin' Bears is a lot of fun, but you will need to help younger children (18 months to 2 years old) on a lot of the ladders. Check out their website to get times and prices.

22. Sign your child up for a music, dance, martial arts, or or playgroup class at the Alaska Moving Arts Center. Check out their 2009 schedule for an idea of what your child would be interested in. There are classes for children of all ages including new born babies!

23. Take a day trip to Seward to visit the Alaska Sea Life Center. There are many great things to see and learn there. Seward is about a 3 hour drive from Anchorage, so the kids can nap on in the car.

24. Go to the preschool open gym time at the O'Malley Sports Center located in Anchorage. There is plenty of room to run around and get out some energy! Visit their website for more information about times and prices.

25. Visit a craft store like Michaels and walk around, you will more than likely be inspired for which craft your child would like to do. Also see my music craft post for more craft ideas.

For more winter activity ideas visit Scribbit's great list of Winter Activities for Kids.

IT'S A PARTY!!!

2009-03-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2009 put on by 5 Minutes for Mom, thanks for stopping by, I love meeting new people! Please make yourself at home and help yourself to some fun games, music, karaoke, and dancing (I know you can't stay still listening to this music!) There is plenty for all!

Let me introduce myself, I'm Andrea, wife, mom, musician, music teacher, and creator of Munchkins and Music, a blog dedicated to helping mom's teach music to their children. I feel that education in music is "most sovereign" and those who learn music will reap from it's many benefits. I have a bachelors degree in music education and have been playing music since I was 8 years old. Please feel free to browse around, you will find:

New songs to teach your children

Music crafts

Information on musical instruments

Music lessons

Musical reviews

Music activities

And much more!

While you're here, pull up a chair and play some fun on-line music games:

Notes Drums Play Music Kid's Piano

Try some Karaoke (Turn off the music on my sidebar first) :

And please feel free to leave a comment so I can come and visit you at your party!

And now for the prizes:

I'm feeling lucky, so if I won a prize here would be my top 3 choices:

1) #1 100.00 gift certificate to either Pedal Cars or A Rocking Horse to Love from 5 Minutes for Mom.

2) #58 Kitchen Aid Artisan and Stand Mixer from Mom's who Think.

3)# USC 57 Personalized Graphic Button Design from Extravagant Grace Designs.

Here are other choices I would choose:

19, 101, 45, 49, 90, 106, or any target gift certificate.

Of course if I won anything I would be excited! Thanks 5 Minutes for Mom!

Kitchen Rock

2009-03-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

When I am cooking dinner I have found that the best activity to keep my children entertained is letting them bang on pots. We call this activity Kitchen Rock and play it often, so I decided to make it a learning experience to help teach my children about music.

Here are a few ideas to help spice up Kitchen Rock:

1. Get out a variety of pans, bowls, and pitchers. You can use metal, plastic, or anything else that won't break.

2. Get out a variety of utensils for your child to hit the pans with (each utensil produces a different sound.)

3. Teach your child about tempo by demonstrating the difference between largo and presto. For an older child you can teach him or her the 7 basic tempo markings:

Largo -- very slow (40 - 60 beats per minute)

Larghetto -- rather broadly (60 - 66 beats per minute)

Adagio -- slow and stately (66 - 76 bpm)

Andante -- at a walking pace (76 - 108 bpm)

Moderato -- Moderately (108 - 120 bpm)

Allegro -- fast and bright (120 - 168 bpm)

Presto -- very fast (168 - 200 bpm)

Once your child learns the tempo markings you can quiz your child by calling out a tempo and having him or her play that tempo.

4. Teach your child about dynamics by demonstrating the difference between piano and forte. Quiz your child by asking him or her to demonstrate the difference between the two dynamics.

For an older child you can teach him or her about the 6 different dynamic markings:

1. pianissimo/pp (very soft)

2. piano/p (soft)

3. mezzo-piano/mp (moderately soft)

4. mezzo-forte/mf (moderately loud)

5. forte/f (loud)

6. fortissimo/ff (very loud)

5. Turn on different styles of music and let your child play along. Show your child how you would play the pan differently while listening to slow/soft music vs. fast/loud music.

6. Have fun!

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2009-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

What Musical Instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Tambourine

The Tambourine is a percussion instrument made out of plastic or wood with metal jingles built in the frame. The tambourine can be made with or without a drum head and can come in many different shapes (although the most common shape is round.) The Tambourine is played many different ways, some of the ways are shaking, stroking, or striking. There is also an advanced technique used to play the tambourine called the thumb roll where players will take their finger or thumb and run it across the head of the tambourine to create a fast jingle sound.

The tambourine was originally from Portugal and brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers. The tambourine is played in many forms of music including jazz and classical.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambourine)

Below is an example of the tambourine being played:

Songs for Children

2009-03-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Baby Birdie

Note: This is a "scale song" - each line gets one note of the do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti do scale. You can review this scale here.

(sing the do pitch for each word) Here's a baby birdie (crouch down low, head down)

(re) Hatching from his shell

(mi) Out pops his head, (head pops up)

(fa) Then comes his tail (tail pops up)

(sol) Now his legs he stretches (stand up)

(la) His wings he gives a flap (flap arms)

(ti) Then he flies and flies and flies (twirl around and around)

(do) Now what do you think of that?

(do) Down, (sol) down, (mi) down,..........(do) BOOM! (fall down)

(This great song is from kids out and about)

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2009-03-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted for a few months. Things have been really busy and crazy. But I am back and very happy to be posting again! Hope you are all doing well! Let's see if you can guess this next instrument...

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday:

Yes, you all guessed this right! The accoridon! The accordion, made in Berlin in 1822, is a hand held free-reed aerophone instrument (meaning the sound is produced by air pushing past a vibrating reed). An accordion is played by compressing and expanding a bellows, and pressing keys which cause the valves to open. The accordion is played in Europe, North America, and South America. The accordion is mainly played in folk, jazz, and classical music. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accordion)

Below is an example of what an accordion sounds like:

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Steel pan/drum

A steel pan is a chromatically tuned percussion instrument that was originally made from a 55 gallon oil container. The steel pan is originally from Trinidad and was used as a form of communication between African slaves. The steel pan was outlawed by the British government, however, by the 1940's steel drums were allowed and were played at Carnivals.

Today, steel pans are made from flat sheet metal and molded into the shape of a bowl using hammers. Steel pans today are tuned with electronic tuners and need to be tuned 1-2 times a year. Steel pans are made into soprano, alto, tenor, and bass pans. They can be played solo or in a steel pan band. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelpan

Below is an example of a steel pan:

(Felix Walroud on the Steel Pan)

Christmas Songs for Children

2008-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

This song is so beautiful and this little 4 year old girl is amazing!!

Sleep Well, Little Children

A.Bergman L.Klatzkin

Sleep well, little children,
wherever you are;
Tomorrow is Christmas
beneath every star.
Soon the snowflakes will fall
and tomorrow you'll see
Every wish, one and all,
waiting under the tree.
Sleep well, little children,
pleasant dreams through the night;
Tomorrow is Christmas,
all merry and bright.
Soon you'll hear the bells ring,
time for dreams to come true
As the world wakes to bring
Merry Christmas to you.

Music Toys for Kids on Christmas

2008-12-13T13:13:00.001-08:00

WFMW: Here is a list of music toys/gifts I would recommend giving your children this year for Christmas. You can also read here for tips on buying musical toys.

Birth – 12 months:

1. Music Mobiles are great for new babies because they introduce music to your child in calming way. Your baby can look up at the mobile and easily fall asleep to the wonderful sounds! Some popular ones are the Jungle Tales Mobile and the Tiny Love Sym phony-in-Motion Mobile.

2. The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube is a great toy because it teaches babies how sounds are made by letting your baby push the buttons to add and subtract instruments in many different songs. This cube also teaches about tempo through the flashing lights.

3. Drums and egg shakers are fun for babies to use because they expose babies to real-like instruments, and they keep your babies entertained!

4. The Baby Grand Piano--Laugh and Learn is a lot of fun for babies because it is interactive and teaches babies about pitch through the piano keys. This piano will also teach your baby about tempo, colors, counting, and music styles. There is an interactive music book attached to the piano for you baby to flip through.

5. The Toddler Orchestra comes with 2 shakers and a tambourine that are easy to hold and use. All three instruments make a different sound that will keep your baby entertained. The Toddler Orchestra uses the same materials and toning methods that are used in professional instruments.

12 months-3 years old:

1. Xylophones are a fun way to teach your children how to create music by hitting the mallets with a stick. Make sure the xylophone you buy is a full octave and that the notes sound correct because your children will learn from it! Some xylophones I would recommend are the Jungle Jamboree, the Little Tike's Tap-a-Tune, and any other xylophone that works well.

2. Band-in-a-Box or the Beginning Band Set by Melissa and Doug (as seen in the photo to the above) are great gifts to give your little ones this year. They are fun to play with, they are durable, and they come with a variety of instruments to play with.

3. Play Guitars are always fun for kids to play with and to hold. I would make sure to buy a play guitar that resembles a real guitar. Some I would recommend are Elmo's Rock and Roll Guitar and the Big Rock Guitar by Little Tykes because they require your child to make a strumming action with their hand and to push the buttons on the neck to get different sounds.

4. The Phonics Radio is a fun toy because it plays 30 songs and teaches letters and phonics. There is also flashing lights and a volume control.

5. R ecorders are great to get for your children because they are easy to blow in. When my son was 1 year old he figured out how to blow in a recorder the first time he played with it! I would recommend buying a recorder by Yamaha because they will last a long time and are durable.

4 - 7 years old:

1. Bongo Drums from First Act are handmade wooden lap drums with authentic skin drum heads. These drums also come with rims that stay in tune! You can also find other styles of bongo drums on amazon.com.

2. A sing-along CD player is a fun way to introduce your children to singing and to karaoke, because your children can sing into a microphone while listening to music. Your children can also sing with a sibling or a friend!

3. Mini piano's or electronic keyboards are fun for kids at this age because they are as close as you can get to the real instrument! Mini pianos come with non-tip benches and music to play.

4. The First Act Electronic Drum Pad is a digital drum set that features 16 drum voices and 30 drum patterns. There are drum sticks provided also! This drum set is recommend for kids ages 6 and up, however, I bought this for my 2 year old for Christmas because I can set the settings for him and let him hit the pads with sticks--which I know he will love to do!

5. The 12-Key Pipe Xylophone is a fun instrument for kids or adults and comes with 12 aluminium pipes. This xylophone is made of solid black walnut and pure maple hardwood, is very durable, and comes with a music book and mallets.

8-11 Years Old and Teens:

1. Music Lessons are a great present to give your children for Christmas. Most parents start their children in piano lessons around 8 years old. For most other instruments parents start their children around 10 years old (although you can start children in music lessons at many ages.) Click here to read about starting your children in private music lessons and how to find the right teacher for your child.

2. Buy a music instruction book and a music instrument is another alternative to private music lessons (although it is better to get music lessons to avoid creating incorrect playing techniques.) You can go down to a local music store and ask about what music books are good to use for your children and what brand of instrument to rent or buy.

3. Rock Band and Guitar Hero are fun music games that are really popular for kids, teens, and even adults! These games are a great way to get your children interested in playing the drums, the guitar, or singing.

4. Everybody loves to get a new CD for Christmas. You can find Cd's on amazon.com. You can also go to lyrics.com to read the lyrics and to see if they are clean.

5. Tickets to a music concert can be a very exciting gift and can make a great stocking stuffer! A good way to find out if your child's favorite music group is coming to your town is to look at the group's touring schedule on their website (all music groups have a website.)

Do you have any other music gift ideas to share with us? Please leave a comment and let us know!

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-12-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Pipa

The pipa is a Chinese string instrument also known as a lute. The Pipa is one of the oldest Chinese musical instruments and has been around for two thousand years. The name Pipa is made up of two syllables "Pi" and "Pa" which stand for two different playing techniques. The syllable "Pi" means a player will use multiple fingers to pluck a string, and the syllable "Pa" means a player will strum the strings with their thumb. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipa

Below is an example of what the pipa sounds like:

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-11-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Double Bass
The double bass is one of my all time favorite instruments because it is so much fun to play with! The double bass (also known as the contrabass or standup bass) was made in the 15th century and is the largest string instrument made. The double bass plays jazz and classical music and is made out of many types of wood. To play the double bass a player can pluck the strings or move a bow across the strings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass

Below is an example of what a double bass sounds like playing jazz music:

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

2008-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Things
(Sung to Farmer in the Dell)

The turkey in the pen, the turkey in the pen,

All the children come and see the turkey in the pen.
The pilgrims on the boat, the pilgrims on the boat,

All the children come and see the pilgrims on the boat.
The Indians in the field, the Indians in the field,

All the children come and see the Indians in the field.
The pumpkins in the patch, the pumpkins in the patch,

All the children come and see, the pumpkins in the patch.
The corn on the cob, the corn on the cob,

All the children come and see, the corn on the cob.
The butter in the churn, the butter in the churn,

All the children come and see, the butter in the churn.

(From Preschool Ed.)

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-11-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Berimbau

All of you made me laugh when you said this instrument looked like a fishing pole because it really does! The berimbau is a single-stringed percussion instrument from Brazil. The berimbau is used in the Brazillian capoeira (a Brazilian dance that incorporates martial arts movements). The berimbau has a wooden bow about 4-5 feet long, with a tightly strung steel wire, and a hallow gourd. The berimbau has three sounds: a buzz sound, a high sound, and a open string sound. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau

Below is an example of what the berimbau sounds like:

Below is an example of the berimbau playing in capoeira:

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and thru the woods,

To grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way

To carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the woods,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the woods,

To have a first-rate play;

Oh, hear the bell ring,

"Ting-a-ling-ling!"

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the woods,

Trot fast my dapple gray!

Spring over the ground,

Like a hunting hound!

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Listen

Music Activities for Kids

2008-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Dancing to Music

Dancing is a great way for your kids to listen to music and to get exercise. In this activity we will be dancing to music in many different ways:

1. Follow the leader. Turn on some music and imitate what the other dancer is doing. See how fun you can make this by turning on different styles of music!

2. Freeze Dance. Turn on some music and randomly stop the music. When the music is stopped, have your kids freeze in place. Now turn the music back on and have your kids dance again.

3. Dance to the tempo of the music. Have your kids move their bodies to slow and fast paced music.

4. Imitate different styles of music through dance. Play many different styles of music for your kids to dance too. For example, turn on a waltz and have your kids waltz around the room. Turn on the nutcracker and have your kids dance like a ballerina. Turn on a march and have your kids march around the house.

5. Have your kids wave scarves, streamers, or ribbons while dancing.

6. Let your kids leap and jump over tubs, cardboard bricks, or other safe objects while dancing.

7. Add on dance moves. Have a child make up a dance move. Have a second child copy the first child's dance move and then add on a second dance move. Have a third child copy the first two dance moves and then add on a third dance move, and so on. See how well the children can remember the order of the dance moves.

8. Turn on a dance video. Let your kids try to imitate what the dancers are doing on the screen. Ballet or hip hop is great for this exercise.

Clean Music for Teens: David Archuleta

2008-11-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

If you are in the market for a clean CD for your teens, David Archuleta (former American Idol runner-up) has just released a new CD this month. And yes, the entire album is clean, I personally listened to and read every word to the songs myself! This album has mostly love songs on it and is avaliable at your local music stores or on-line. Click here to listen to clips of the songs.

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-11-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

What Musical Instrument Am I?

Answer to Last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Contrabass Trombone

The trombone has been around since the 18th century and was originally called a sackbut (no kidding)! To play the trombone a player will buzz their lips and blow air through the mouthpiece while moving the slide. The contrabass trombone is the largest trombone in the trombone family and is a brass instrument. The contrabass trombone is similar to the the tenor trombone except a contrabass trombone plays lower and is larger than than a tenor trombone. The contrabass trombone is played in classical and jazz music. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombone

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

2008-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Mr. Turkey

(Sung to "Frere Jacque")

Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey

Run away, Run away

If you don't be careful

You will be a mouthful

Thanksgiving Day

Song From DLTK

I am participating in FFM

Anchorage Symphony Halloween Concert Review

2008-11-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a way to introduce classical music to your kids, going to the Anchorage Symphony Halloween Concert is a great way to do it! This year’s concert had an entertaining cast and a funny story line about trying to find the right style of music to wake the sleeping dragon.
The symphony played many different styles of music including pieces by Aaron Copland and Benny Goodman. There was even a vocal quintet that sung the 12 days of Halloween and 5 little pumpkins which my little guy loved! The concert was about 1 ½ hours long and had 4 floors of trick-or-treating for the kids after the concert. I would highly recommend this concert for families of all ages.

(Anchorage Symphony)

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

2008-11-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Did You Ever See a Turkey?

(Video from Cullen's ABC's)

For this song make 4 feathers out of construction paper:

Feather 1: Red

Feather 2: Orange

Feather 3: Yellow

Feather 4: Brown

Lyrics:

Did you ever see a turkey,

A turkey, a turkey,

As he struts around the farm yard,

With feathers so bright.

With red ones,

And orange ones,

And yellow ones,

And brown ones,

Did you ever see a turkey,

With feathers so bright.

I am participating in FMM.

Halloween Songs for Children

2008-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

Shivery Yells

(Sung to Silver Bells)

We're on the sidewalks, we're on the porches,

Dressed in costumes to scare.
Through the city we're ringing doorbells

Trick or treating, eating candy,
Gooey stuff in our hair,
But the most fun is shrieking out loud:

Shivery Yells, Shivery Yells
That's Halloween nitty-gritty
Moan and groan, leave us alone,
Halloween's just one night a year.

Deck the Patch

(Sung to Deck the Halls)

Deck the patch with orange and black,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Take along your goody sack,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Don we now our weird apparel,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

To the ancient pumpkin carol,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

See the great ones rise before us,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

As we sing the pumpkin chorus,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Follow him as he ascends,

Fa la la la la la, la la la

Join with true great pumpkin friends,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

These songs are from http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRhalloween3.htm.

Visit their site to learn more great Halloween songs!

Teaching Your Child Solfege

2008-10-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Music Lesson: Solfege

(Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music)

What is solfege?
Solfege is an important part of learning to read music and is a technique used to teach sight-singing or sight reading. Each note in solfege is sung to a different syllable do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, and each note has a corresponding hand sign (as seen in photo below).

To teach your child solfege do the following:

1. Sing do (doh) to the first pitch of any major scale (i.e. if you choose the major C scale, C would be your first note).

2. Now, sing and sign do with your hand (as seen in photo below).

3. Have your child sing and sign do. If needed, help mold your child's hand into the do shape until he or she can sign do his or herself.

4. Continue to teach your child every solfege sign and syllable.

5. Note: Solfege is a great way to introduce music to your baby!

Solfege Pronunciation:

Do = Doh (For the C scale you will sing C pitch)

Re = Ray (For the C scale you will sing D pitch)

Me = Mee (For the C scale you will sing E pitch)

Fa = Fah (For the C scale your will sing F pitch)

Sol = Soh (For the C scale you will sing G pitch)

La = Lah (For the C scale you will sing A pitch)

Ti = Tee (For the C scale you will sing B pitch)

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Soprano Saxophone

The soprano saxophone was invented in 1840 and is the second largest instrument in the saxophone family. The soprano saxophone is a woodwind instrument and is played in jazz and classical music. Because the soprano has a small body, it is hard to keep in tune so experienced players will use alternate fingerings to keep the notes in tune. The soprano saxophone is also made with a curved bell like an alto saxophone.

Below is an example of what a soprano saxophone sounds like:

Brandford Marsalis on Soprano Saxophone

Music Craft: Guiro or Cabasa

2008-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today's music craft can be played as a guiro (first photo) or a cabasa (second photo).

Materials Needed:

1. 1 clean and dried 10 oz or 14 oz tin can
2. 6 inches of a paper towel roll
3. 100-200 plastic or wood beads (make sure the holes in the beads are big enough to be strung on elastic.)
4. Glue and scissors
5. Elastic
6. Aclyric paint
7. Sand paper

Directions:

1. Lightly sand the rough side of the tin can.

2. Cut 4 evenly spaced slits in the paper towel roll (slits should 3/4 inches long).

3. Bend the edges down to form flaps (as seen in photo).

4. Glue the flaps to the bottom of the tin can and let dry over night.

5. Paint the tin can and paper towel roll (let dry).

6. Cut 4 to 8 - 10 inch elastic strips for the 10 oz can, or 4 to 8 - 15 inch elastic strips for the 14 oz can.

7. String 25 beads on each elastic strand.

8. String the strands around the tin can and tie the ends together.

9. Now you are ready to play!

To play as a guiro:
Hold the handle and brush a stick over the beads.

To play as a cabasa:

Hold the handle with one hand, and with the other hand move the beads back and forth (as seen in video below).

This great craft idea was from http://www.canadianliving.com/.

Halloween Songs for Children

2008-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

GHOSTBUSTERS

If there's something strange
in your neighborhood

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

If there's something weird

and it don't look good

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

If you're seeing things

running through your head

Who can ya call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

An invisible man

sleeping in your bed

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

If ya all alone

pick up the phone

and call

GHOSTBUSTERS

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

I here it likes the ghost

I ain't afraid of no ghost

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

If you've had a dose of

afreaky ghost baby

Ya better call

GHOSTBUSTERS

Lemme tell ya something

Bustin' makes me feel good!

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

Don't get caught alone no no

GHOSTBUSTERS

When it comes through your door

Unless you just want some more

I think you better call

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

I think you better call

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

I can't hear you

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

Louder

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who can ya call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS

Halloween Family Concert

2008-10-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just A Reminder

The Anchorage Symphony's Halloween Family Concert is in one week, on Friday October, 31 2008 in the Atwood Concert Hall. Have your kids wear their Halloween costumes and get ready for 4 floors of trick-or-treating after the show!

Beethoven Lesson

2008-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Music Lesson: Ludwig Van Beethoven

Teach your child the following lesson:

Biography:

Beethoven was one of the most influential and respected composers of his time and played a key role in bridging classical and romantic music. Beethoven was a composer and played the piano in the 1700’s. He was born in December, 1770 and grew up in Bonn, Germany where he lived with his parents and 6 brothers and sisters (although 3 of his siblings died after infancy).

At age 8 Beethoven had his first known public performance on the piano, and at age 14 he started playing the organ for a choir. When Beethoven was 17 years old he went to Vienna, Austria to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. After Mozart died Beethoven started studying with Joseph Haydn.

When Beethoven was about 27 years old, he may have gotten tinnitus (ringing in his ears caused by infection or loud noises) which caused him to eventually go deaf. Although Beethoven was devastated from his hearing loss, he figured out that he could hear the music through vibrations from his piano (which is why he was still able to write music).

Beethoven’s Music:
Scholars have divided Beethoven’s musical works into three periods:

During the first music period, Beethoven was finding “his personal voice.” He wrote: string quartets, piano sonatas, piano concertos, and symphonies. Here is an example of music Beethoven wrote during his first music period: Beethoven's Symphony No. 1

During the second period, Beethoven wrote: an opera, symphonies, piano concertos, and quartet music. The second period is known as Beethoven’s independent period because he was known as one of the best pianists and composers of his time. Beethoven became friends with some of the richest and noble families in Vienna. He gained prominent devoted fans such as Prince Lichnowsky. Beethoven would often make the Prince wait in the waiting room on purpose so he could compose music! Here is an example of Beethoven's second period music: The Eroica Symphony

During the last period, Beethoven’s music became reflective. He started to use variations (new rhythms, new meter, new tempos, new embellishments, and new figurations) in his music. Although Beethoven had bad health and family struggles during this period, he still managed to write some of his best musical works during this time. Here is an example of Beethoven's third period music: Beethoven String Quartet Op. 131

References:

A History of Western Music, Grout and Palisca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven

Beethoven Coloring Activity:

Click here to print a coloring page of Beethoven.

Quiz on Beethoven:

Click here to give your child a quiz on Beethoven.

Band-in-a Box Giveaway Winner

2008-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last night my Hubby randomly chose a winner for the Band-in-a-Box giveaway!! Congratulations to Janet Faye! Yea Yea!!

I will be having more giveaways in the future so keep checking back!

Funny Music Videos

2008-10-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today I thought it would be fun to post funny and classic music videos! Also, today is the last day to enter the Band-in-a-Box Giveaway. Enjoy!

Wordful/less Wednesday

2008-10-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordful/less Wednesday: Harpsichord

Harpsichords have been around since the 1500's and are used in Baroque music. The harpsichord became less popular when the piano was invented. The harpsichord is similar to a piano because when a key is pressed, a long strip of wood is lifted which is attached to a pick that plucks the string.

Below is an example of what a harpsichord sounds like:

Halloween Music for Kids

2008-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween CD's Your Kids Will Love:

1. Halloween Howls by Andrew Gold, is a great CD to use for a child Halloween party, and is a great CD to play for your child during the Halloween season. Halloween Howls is fun and has songs such as The Monster Mash and Ghost Busters. Click here to listen.

2. Chilling, Thrilling Sound Effects of the Haunted House by Walt Disney, is a great CD to use for a haunted house or for trick or treaters. Chilling, Thrilling Sound Effects has howling wind, barking dogs, screeching cats, and booing ghosts.
Listen here.

3. Witching Hour by Eban Schletter, has music that could be used at a child Halloween party. My daughter liked the music on Witching Hour because it was "not scary!"
Listen Here

4. Boo, Cackle, Trick or Treat by Sue Schnitzer, is a great Halloween CD for babies and children. On Boo, Cackle, Trick or Treat you will find Halloween action songs and jokes. Most of the music has children singing along with the songs. Click here to listen.

5. Spooky Favorites is another great CD for babies and children. On this CD you will find songs such as the 12 Days of Halloween, Dem Bones, and 5 little pumpkins. Listen here.

6. Halloween Hits is a great CD for your teenager's Halloween dance parties. The music on Halloween Hits is techno and exciting!
Listen here.

I am participating in Works for Me Wednesday.

Music Memory Cards

2008-10-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

A great way to help to improve your child's memory is to play memory card games. A game my Daughter loves to play is a card matching game.

How to play:

1. Print out the music memory cards (see below). Make sure you print out each page twice (for best results print out the cards on card stock paper).

2. Cut out the cards.

3. Place all the cards face down in front of your child.

4. Have your child flip over 2 cards at a time. If the cards do not match, then flip the cards face down again.

5. If the 2 cards do match, then place the matching cards face up in a pile until the game is finished.

Music Memory Cards

6. Have fun!

Halloween Songs for Children

2008-10-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Twelve Days of Halloween

(These words are sung to the 12 Days of Christmas.)

On the first day of Hallowe'en
My true love gave to me

An owl in a rotten oak tree

On the second day of Hallowe'en
My true love gave to me

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the third day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the fourth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the fifth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the sixth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the seventh day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the eighth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Eight monsters shrieking

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the ninth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Nine ghosts a-booing

Eight monsters shrieking

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the tenth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Ten ghouls a-groaning

Nine ghosts a-booing

Eight monsters shrieking

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the eleventh day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Eleven casks a-leaning

Ten ghouls a-groaning

Nine ghosts a-booing

Eight monsters shrieking

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree

On the twelfth day of Hallowe'en

My true love gave to me

Twelve bats a-flying

Eleven casks a-leaning

Ten ghouls a-groaning

Nine ghosts a-booing

Eight monsters shrieking

Seven pumpkins glowing

Six goblins gobbling

Five scary spooks!

Four skeletons

Three black cats

Two trick or treaters

And an owl in a rotten oak tree.

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Band-in-a Box Giveaway

2008-10-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

I recently found Band-in-a-Box made by Melissa and Doug in a toy store while searching for music toys for my children. My children have had so much fun playing with Band-in-a-Box that I decided to use it for my first giveaway!

Band-in-a-Box comes with a tambourine, maracas, cymbals, tone blocks, a triangle, and a clacker. To win all you need to do is to make a comment and tell me what you do to integrate music into your child's routine. On Thursday October 23rd I will randomly draw a winner from the comments, and then on Friday October 24th I will announce the winner!

This giveaway is open to readers with a address in the U.S.

Teaching Note Values With Note Cards

2008-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

Music Lesson: Note Values

A great way to teach note values to your child is to compare note values to note cards:

Materials Needed:

1. Pen

2. Multi-colored note cards

Instructions:

1. Draw a whole note on the back of a yellow note card. (As seen in photo.)

2. Cut a blue note card in half and draw a half note on each card. (As seen in photo.)

3. Cut a pink note card in quarters and draw a quarter note on each card. (As seen in photo.)

4. Cut a green card in eighths and draw an eighth note on each card. (As seen in photo.)

5. Lay out a card pyramid with the blank sides of the cards up as seen in the photo below:

6. Tell your child that all of the cards are related and that there are 2 half cards in one whole card, 2 quarter cards in one half card, 2 eighth cards in one quarter card, 4 eighth cards in a half card, and so on.

Once your child understands the relationship between the cards, flip the cards over as seen in the photo below:

7. Explain to your child that just as the note cards are related, music notes are related in the same way. Tell your child that there are 2 half notes in a whole note, 4 quarter notes in a whole note, 2 eighth notes in a quarter note and so on.

8. Another fun way to use these cards is to have your child practice making rhythms by using Q-tips for bar lines as seen in the photo below:

9. After laying down a rhythm as seen in the photo above practice clapping the rhythm with your child.

Halloween Songs for Children

2008-10-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Addams Family

They're creepy and they're kooky,

Mysterious and spooky,

They're all together ooky,

The Addams Family.

Their house is a museum

Where people come to see 'em

They really are a scream

The Addams Family.

(Neat)

(Sweet)

(Petite)

So get a witches shawl on

A broomstick you can crawl on

We're gonna pay a call on

The Addams Family.

Music Craft: Bagpipes

2008-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Bagpipe Craft:

Materials Needed:

1. 4 paper towel rolls

2. 1 toilet paper roll
3. Brown paper bag
4. News paper
5. Tape or glue
6. String
7. Scissors
8. Construction paper

Instructions:

1. Glue or tape the rolls with construction paper.

2. Fill the paper bag with crumpled news paper.

3. Cut one of the paper towel rolls a little shorter for the blow pipe (the green colored tube was cut a little shorter.)

4. Glue or tape the blow pipe into the open end of the paper bag.

5. Poke a few hole in the toilet paper roll and insert the roll into the bottom end of the paper bag and secure with glue or tape. (As seen in photo.)

6. Make 3 diagonal slits on top of the paper bag for the other three paper towel rolls. Secure the rolls with glue.

7. Let the glue dry.

8. Drape the yarn around the 3 paper towel rolls as seen in photo.

9. Once the glue is dry hum into the blow pipe to play the pipes.

This great craft idea was from crayola.com.

How to Make a Piano

2008-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today's lesson is on how to make a piano. Tell your children that making a piano is no small task, and let your children watch the video below:

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-10-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?
Answer to last week's Wordless/ful Wednesday: Guiro

The guiro is a notched hallowed - out gourd and is a member of the percussion family. The guiro is played by holding the guiro in the left hand with the thumb inserted into the hole. The right hand holds a stick and scrapes against the guiro to get a raspy sound.
Guiros can be made of wood, metal, shell, bamboo, plastic, ceramic, or bone. The guiro is played in Salsa and Spanish Folk music. (http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/instruments/guiro/)

Here is an example of what a guiro sounds like:

Halloween Songs for Children

2008-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

In the Graveyard

(These words are sung to Oh My Darling.)

In the grave yard,

When the moon begins to shine,

There's a doctor,

crazy doctor,

And his monster Frankenstein.

Oh, my monster,

Oh, my monster Frankenstein,

You are very, very scary,

Don't come near me Frankenstein.

(Words from DLTK)

Music Activities for Kids

2008-10-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Singing Time

Here is a fun activity you can do to teach new songs and to review old songs with your child:

1. Find a picture for each song your child knows, and find a picture for the songs you want your child to learn.

2. Under each picture type the name of the song that goes with that picture (e.g. under the picture of children dancing you would type Loop de Loo.)

3. Print out each picture onto card stock paper.

4. Laminate each picture (I like to use clear cover self-adhesive covering. You can buy self-adhesive covering at a grocery store for around $4.00.)

5. Cut out each picture.

6. Put the cards into a bag/container and let your child draw songs to sing.

7. Have fun!

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Clean Songs for Teenagers

2008-10-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

I know it can be hard to find clean music for your teenagers, so here is a list of 5 new and clean songs for your teens to listen to:

1. The Time of My Life by David Cook

2. Pocket Full of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield

3. Lucky by Jason Mraz

4. SOS by The Jonas Brothers

5. 7 Things by Miley Cyrus

Do your teens listen to any clean songs that are not on this list? Please share, we would love to hear from you!

Learning to Sing Music Pitch

2008-10-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Learning Objective:

Your child will be able to match a pitch sung or played on an instrument.

Instructions:

1. Sing a song with your child that he or she knows well.

2. Practice teaching your child the notes of the song by singing each note and having your child match the pitch your are singing. For example, if you were to sing Mary Had a Little Lamb, you would sing the first note of the song and have your child match the pitch. Then you would sing the next note and have your child match the pitch. Do this for every note in the song.

3. Most young children cannot match the correct pitch at first. If your child is singing the wrong pitch, listen to hear if the pitch is lower or higher than the pitch you are singing and do the following:

If your child is singing lower than the desired pitch, point your finger up and tell your child to keep singing higher until your child sings the desired pitch.

If your child is singing higher than the desired pitch, point your finger down and tell your child to sing lower until your child sings the desired pitch.

When your child sings the desired pitch, tell your child that is the pitch you want them to sing.

4. If your child does not have the patience to sit and learn every note, you can sing a song with your child and randomly stop on a note and have your child match the pitch.

5. You can also try matching pitches on a piano or other musical instrument by playing a note on the instrument and telling your child to match the pitch.

Assessment:

Can your child match any pitch (within their range) you sing or play? If not, keep practicing with your child until he or she can.

You can also start teaching your young child about pitch. I do this lesson with my 2 year old and she loves it!

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-10-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Bassoon

The bassoon is a double reed woodwind instrument. The bassoon plays in concert, orchestral, and chamber music groups. Because of the difficult finger placements, the bassoon in not the easiest instrument to learn. Most children will learn clarinet or saxophone before they learn to play the bassoon. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassoon)

Here is an example of what a bassoon sounds like:

(Super Mario Bassoon Quartet)

Music Craft: Y-Stick Tambourine

2008-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Y-Stick Tambourine

Materials Needed:

1. Dried Y stick
2. 12 metal bottle caps
3. Spray paint (any color)
4. Strong wire
5. Hammer
6. Nail
7. Decorations (e.g. feathers, beads.)

Instructions:

1. Peel the bark off the Y stick and paint the stick.
2. Cook the bottle caps on an out-door grill for 5 minutes (just until the bottle caps get hot, this step helps to remove the rubber liner inside the bottle caps.)
3. Remove the rubber liners in the bottle caps
4. Flatten out the bottle caps with a hammer.
5. Poke a hole through the bottle caps with a nail.
6. Cut the wire for the Y-stick
7. Thread the bottle caps onto the wire.
8. Tautly string the wire between the arms of the Y-stick.
9. Have fun!

This great craft idea is from familyfun.go.com.

Songs for Children

2008-09-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a great song for those of you who wish is was still summer! (Today, I am participating in Family Moment Monday.)

Mister Sun

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you,

To please come out so we can play with you,

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me!

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you,

To please come out so we can play with you,

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,

Mister Golden Sun,

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on me!

Music Events for Kids in Alaska

2008-09-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Anchorage Events:

Black Violin
Friday, April 03, 2009

Yuval Ron Ensemble: Middle Eastern Music
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Intersections: ADT & James Sewell Ballet
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Fisher-Price Songs and Games for the Road

2008-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

A fun memory I have as a little girl was singing with my family in our van on road trips. (Singing as a family was where I started to gain my love of music.) Since, I have tried to keep the same tradition with my children; which is why I am excited to tell you about the new CD I discovered called Songs and Games for the Road by Fisher Price.

Songs and Games for the Road has almost an hour of fun songs to sing and games to play for your children. One great things about this CD is that the accompaniment is up-beat and fun to listen to along with the singing. My Daughter loves this CD and asks me to play it over and over again! I highly recommend this CD for kids ages 0-6.

Music Lesson: Time Signature

2008-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rhythm Lesson #6 Time Signatures:

Review:

Review the meters lesson with your child.

Learning Objective:

Your child will be able to tell you what the numbers in a time signature mean.

Instructions:

Show your child the picture below and tell your child that the picture is a time signature (or meter signature). Tell your child that a time signature is made up of a top and bottom number. The top number tells us what the meter in the piece is, and the bottom number tells us what the note value for each pulse is. For example, in the picture below the time signature is ¾. The 3 tells us that the piece is in triple meter (there are three pulses per measure), and the 4 tells us that the quarter note gets the beat.

Exercise: Write the meter and note value for each time signature below:

Example:

2--duple meter
8--eighth-note pulse

3__________
4__________

2__________

4__________
8__________

4__________
4__________

3__________
2__________

3__________
8__________

4__________
2__________

2__________

4__________

Answers:

1) triple meter
quarter-note pulse

2) duple meter

half-note pulse

3) quadruple meter
eighth-note pulse

4) quadruple meter
quarter-note pulse

5) triple meter
half-note pulse

6) triple meter
eighth-note pulse

7) quadruple meter
half-note pulse

8) duple meter
quarter-note pulse

Exercise: Tell your child that a whole note/rest gets 4 pulses, a half note/rest gets 2 pulses, a quarter/rest note gets 1 pulse, and an eighth note/rest gets and eighth of the pulse. Review dotted notes with your child also. Now have your child write bar lines in the musical example below:

Beethoven Quiz

2008-09-24T00:12:00.000-07:00

1. When was Beethoven born?
a. March 1695
b. March 1785
c. December 1770
d. December 1765

2. How old was Beethoven when he had his first public performance?
a. 6 years old
b. 8 years old
c. 10 years old
d. 17 years old

3. What 2 teachers did Beethoven study with after he left home?
a. George Bush and Franklin Roosevelt
b. Franz List and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
c. George Bush and Joseph Haydn
d. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn

4. What might have caused Beethoven to go deaf?
a. Tendonitis
b. Tinnitus
c. Elephant Titus
d. Defeatists

5. How many periods do scholars divide Beethoven’s music into?
a. 5
b. 7
c. 2
d. 3

6. Beethoven was one of the most _______________ and ________________ composers of his time.

7. Beethoven would often keep ____________ _________________ in the waiting room so he could compose.

8. During Beethoven’s third music period, his music started to become more:
a. Fun
b. Reflective
c. Sad
d. Bad
Answers:
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. B
5. D
6. Influential and Respected
7. Prince Lichnowsky
8. B

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-09-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Piccolo

A piccolo is like a small flute. The piccolo is made from wood, metal, gold, or plastic and is used in classical and marching bands. The piccolo is used as an ornamental instrument and plays an octave above the flute. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccolo)

Here is an example of what the piccolo sounds like (the music starts playing 45 seconds into the video) :

(Ayla Emanet on piccolo)

Songs for Babies and Children

2008-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Where is Thumbkin?

(Start with hands behind back)
Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin?
Here I am
(Bring right hand to front,with thumb up)
Here I am.
(Bring left hand to front,with thumb up)
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle thumbs as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)
Where is pointer?
Where is pointer?
Here I am
(Bring right hand to front,with index finger up)
Here I am.
(Bring left hand to front,with index finger up)
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle fingers as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)
Where is tall man?
Where is tall man?
Here I am
(Bring right hand to front,with third finger up)
Here I am.
(Bring left hand to front,with third finger up)
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle fingers as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)
Where is ring man?
Where is ring man?
Here I am
(Bring right hand to front,with fourth finger up)
Here I am.
(Bring left hand to front,with fourth finger up)
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle fingers as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)
Where is pinkie?
Where is pinkie?
Here I am
(Bring right hand to front,with pinkie finger up)
Here I am.
(Bring left hand to front,with pinkie finger up)
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle fingers as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)
Where is the family?
Where is the family?
Here we are.
(Bring right hand to front,with all fingers showing)
Here we are.
(Bring left hand to front,with all fingers showing)
How are you this morning?
Very well, we thank you.
(Wiggle fingers as if they're talking' to each other)
Run away
(Hide right hand behind back)
Run away.
(Hide left hand behind back)

Music Cupcakes

2008-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Now that we have learned about note values, a fun activity to do with your children is to practice drawing notes and rests on cupcakes!

Here are some great sites for cupcake and frosting recipes:

Cupcakes
Frosting

Have fun!

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Rhythm Lesson #5

2008-09-19T09:33:00.001-07:00

Note Values Part II

Review:

Review with your child the Note Values Lesson Part I .

Learning Objective:

Your child will learn to write out the note pyramid and tell you how all the notes in the note pyramid are related. Your child will also write on manuscript paper the 5 common rests.

Instructions:

Show your child the note pyramid and tell your child to draw the note pyramid on a separate sheet of paper. Then, tell your child that all the notes in the pyramid are related. Ask your child the following questions:

1. How many half notes are in a whole note? (Answer = 2)

2. How many quarter notes are in a whole note? (Answer = 4)

3. How many quarter notes are in a half note? (Answer = 2)

4. How many eighth notes are in a half note? (Answer = 4)

5. How many sixteenth notes are in a quarter note? (Answer = 4)

6. How many sixteenth notes are in a whole note? (Answer = 16)

Rests:

Show your child the picture below, and explain to your child that there are 5 common types of rests:

1. Whole rest
2. Half rest
3. Quarter rest
4. Eighth rest
5. Sixteenth rest

Tell your child that a rest represents silence, and when a rest is seen in music, no music is played during the rest. Have your child practice drawing the rests on manuscript paper.

Dotted Notes:

Show your child the picture below, and explain to your child that when a dot is placed beside a note (as seen in the photo), the value of the note is worth the note's original value plus one-half of its original value. For example, if a quarter note is worth one beat, then a quarter note with a dot is worth 1 + 1/2 beats.

Stay tuned for next week's lesson on Time Signatures.

Musical Genius

2008-09-18T00:47:00.000-07:00

Below are videos about a severely disabled and blind man named Derek Paravicini. Despite Derek's disabilities, Derek has become a musical genius. I was so inspired by Derek that I had to share these videos with you today.

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-09-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wordless/ful Wednesday: Electric Violin

Electric violins are usually made with a solid body and a built-in pickup to amplify the sound. Most electric violins have 5-7 strings. Electric violins have been around since the 1920's. Stuff Smith (a blues and jazz artist) was one of the first performers to play electric violin. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_violin)

Today, electric violins are used in jazz, pop, hip-hop, rock, metal, country, new age, and contemporary classical music.

Below is an example of what the electric violin sounds like:

(Jerry Goodman on electric violin)

I am participating in Wordless/ful Wednesday.

Songs for Children

2008-09-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Little Raindrops is a song my kids and I like to sing and is a great song for babies and toddlers. This song is copyrighted so here is a link for it:

Little Raindrops

Enjoy!

Music and Health

2008-09-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I am over at Healthy Living Today.

Have you ever felt stressed, depressed, sad, or angry and then turned on some music, and immediately as you listened, your stress, depression, sadness, or anger left? Have you ever wondered why? ...

Read More

Tips for Buying Musical Toys

2008-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Walking through the toy store can be overwhelming when trying to find a musical toy for your child. Just walking through the toy store today I saw 10 toy guitars, 7 xylophones, and 15 singing stuffed animals. So how do you know which musical toy is the best? Below is a list of tips for buying a musical toy:

1. Look for a musical toy that best resembles the real instrument. For example, let's say you are looking at two different toy guitars. The first guitar will only play music if the guitar is strummed, while the second guitar will play music without the guitar being strummed. The first guitar is a better choice because the action of strumming to hear the music resembles a real guitar.

2. When buying a toy such as a piano and xylophone, make sure the keys sound correct. I have played toy xylophones that have sounded like every key was the same note! It may not seem like a big deal, but your child is learning from these toys, so the toys should sound accurate.

3. Research the musical toy first. There are many toys out there and doing a little research will save a lot of time when shopping. You can do research by visiting websites that have toy reviews such as Walmart, Toys R Us, and Google. Many parents will rate toys on-line and will write summaries about how functional these toys really are.

4. Make sure the musical toy is age appropriate and something your child can actually play with. A toy that is too advanced for your child could end up making your child feel frustrated.

5. Take your child shopping and let your child play with the musical toy first. This is a good way to see if your child will like the toy you buy him or her.

6. Make sure your child has fun playing with the musical toy. If your child has fun playing with the toy, then the toy may inspire your child to want to play the real instrument in the future.

Rhythm Lesson # 4

2008-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Note Values Lesson Part I

Review with your child:

Measures lesson

Instructions:
Show your child the notes shown below. Tell your child that some notes have stems, some notes have holes, some notes have stems and flags, and some notes are filled in. Below is an example of the 5 common types of note values:

Tell your child that when you put these notes together you get rhythm. Below is an example of rhythm. Notice also how the pulse stays consistent no matter what the rhythm is:

Note Pyramid:
Below is an example of a note pyramid. Explain to your child that at the top of the pyramid there is a whole note. 1 whole note is divided into 2 half notes. 1 half note is divided into 2 quarter notes. 1 quarter note is divided into 2 eight notes. 1 eighth note is divided into 2 sixteenth notes.

Exercise: Practice Drawing Notes:

Print out the picture below, and have your child practice tracing each note. Then, have your child practice drawing each note on a separate piece of paper. You may print staff paper here . You may also click here to print out a worksheet for note tracing.

Wordless/ful Wednesday

2008-09-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer to last Wednesday's instrument: vibraphone

The vibraphone is a member of the percussion family. The vibraphone is used in jazz and classical music. To play the vibraphone a player will push down the foot pedal and use 2-4 mallets to hit the keys.

Here is an example of what the vibraphone sounds like:

(Gary Burton playing vibraphone)

I am participating in wordless/ful Wednesday.

Songs for Children

2008-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

If You’re Happy And You Know It

If you're happy and you know it, Clap your hands
(Clap, Clap)
If you're happy and you know it, Clap your hands
(Clap, Clap)
If you're happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it

If you're happy and you know it, Clap your hands.
(Clap, Clap)

If you're happy and you know it, Stomp your feet
(Stomp, Stomp)
If you're happy and you know it, Stomp your feet
(Stomp, Stomp)
If you're happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it

If you're happy and you know it, Stomp your feet.
(Stomp, Stomp)

If you're happy and you know it, Turn around
(Turn around)
If you're happy and you know it, Turn around
(Turn around)
If you're happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it

If you're happy and you know it, Turn around
(Turn around)

If you're happy and you know it, Do all three

(Clap Clap, Stomp Stomp, Turn around)

If your're happy and you know it, Do all three,

(Clap Clap, Stomp Stomp, Turn around)

If you're happy and you know it,

Then you're face will really show it,

If you're happy and you know it, Do all three,

(Clap Clap, Stomp Stomp, Turn Around)

(These are the lyrics my kids and I sing)

Music Craft: Maracas

2008-09-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

The maracas are a percussion instrument usually played in pairs and are made of plastic, wood, or leather (Indians in Columbia made maracas out of clay 1500 years ago). The maracas are originally from Puerto Rico.

Maracas are played in Latin, pop, and classical music and are characteristic of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Brazil. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maraca)

The maracas are played by holding a maraca in each hand on the handle and shaking the maracas back and forth.

Today we will be making a paper plate maraca.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plate
2. Stapler
3. Beans or Rice
4. Decorations (e.g. streamers, paint or tissue paper)

Instructions:

1. Fold the paper plate in half

2. Staple the paper plate together 3/4 of the way

3. Pour in beans
4. Staple the paper plate together rest of way
5. Decorate as desired
6. Have fun!

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

This craft idea was from Enchanted Learning

Great Jazz Site for Kids!

2008-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

I found a great jazz site at pbskids.org. This site is interactive with jazz lessons, jazz history, and much more! I hope you have as much fun as I did exploring this fun site!

Rhythm Lesson #3

2008-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Summary:

So far, we have learned about pulse and meter--two important steps to learning how to read rhythm. Today, we will learn about measures.

Measures:

Teach this to your child:

When looking at music, you can see that it is divided into vertical lines called bar lines. From bar lines you get measures. It is much easier to read music in measures.

We can study measures from the last lesson we had about meter. Remember duple, triple, and quadruple meter?

When you add bar lines to these examples, you get this:

Double bar lines:

You will see double bar lines when you come to the end of a section or piece. Below is an example of a double bar line.

Do You Know What Your Teenagers Are Listening Too?

2008-09-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

WFMW: Teen Music Survey
Today, I was going to post a list of music groups with clean music for your teens to listen to. In order to compile the list, I asked 5 teens what bands they would recommend for my site. I told the teens the music had to be clean and something your mother could listen to. I started with a list of 30 music groups. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find clean music! The 5 teens did recommend the cleanest bands they could think of; however, between swearing, bad lyrics, and references to sex, I could only recommend a few of these groups.

From conducting this research, I have to ask one question: Do you really know what your teenagers are listening to?

Why it is Important for our Teens to Listen to Clean Music?

Music can influence our teens' actions for both the positive and unfortunately for the negative. Can teen music be linked to violent crimes? Consider these findings: The two shooters in the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado regularly listened to heavy metal and Goth. Three 15-year-old boys stabbed to death a 15-year-old girl in San Luis Obispo, California after listening to the song "Alter of Sacrifice" by Slayer. A 13-year-old girl in Paddock Wood, Kent committed suicide after listening to the hard-core punk band EMO. There are also studies correlating rap music and teen pregnancies.

Ways to Monitor Your Teens Music:

1. Actually take the time to monitor you're teens music.

2. Let your teen know, from an early age, that you will monitor his or her music.

3. Don't think that because you're teen already listens to bad music that you can't monitor it or change your teens listening habits. Take control of the situation. If necessary, talk to a teen counselor or read up on helping teens make wise choices. I know parents who use two good, in fact classic, books on this subject called "Parenting Teens with Love and Logic," and "Back in Control."

4. Before buying your teen a CD, go on-line and find the lyrics to the songs. http://www.lyricsmania.com/ is just one of the sites to find lyrics.

5. Research the bands on the Internet. All bands have Web sites and My Spaces or other sites to peruse. At these sites you can learn about the bands and hear examples of the music.

6. Listen to clean music yourself. You can't expect your teens to listen to clean music if you aren't.

7. Watch what songs your teens download onto their personal computers, I-pods, and MP3 players.

What has worked in your home to help your teen make good music listening choices?

Songs for Children: Apples and Bananas

2008-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Apples and Bananas

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas

I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay-nays
I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay-nays

I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees
I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees

I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys
I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys

I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos
I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos

I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos
I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos

Music Activity: Music in a Bottle

2008-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Music in a Bottle

Materials needed:

1. 8- 20 oz glass pop bottles

2. Water

3. Food coloring (optional)

4. Tape or stickers

5. Marker

Directions:

1. Put a sticker or a piece of tape on each bottle

2. Number the bottles 1-8

3. Fill each bottle with the amount of water shown below:

Bottle #1 = 7 oz

Bottle #2 = 9 1/2 oz

Bottle #3 = 12 1/2 oz

Bottle #4 = 14 oz

Bottle #5 = 16 1/2 oz

Bottle #6 = 17 1/2 oz

Bottle #7 = 18 1/2 oz

Bottle #8 = 19 oz

3. Start playing music!

Example Songs:

Mary had a Little Lamb

3212333

222355

3212333

322321

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

1155665

4433221

5544332

1155665

4433221

Old McDonald

4441221

665541

4441221

66554

1144411444

4444

4441221

66554

Note: To make the bottle blowing easier use a tube to blow into.

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

This activity idea is from www.familyfun.go.com.

Disney Live on Tour

2008-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Looking for a concert for your kid?

I would love to take my daughter to see Disney Live on Tour! From the Disney Live on Tour videos I have seen, there are a lot of fun Disney characters dancing, laughing, and singing. This show looks like a lot of fun!

Click here to see if Disney Live is coming to your town anytime soon!

Blogs With Great Songs

2008-08-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

I love visiting the following blogs because of the great music played:

Laughing Leah Love Lilies is a blog about Leah’s family life. The following songs go well with her blog:
1. Baby Mine by Allison Krauss
2. Let Them be Little by Billy Dean

Ellyphant is a blog about being a working mom who rushes home each day to be with her family. The following songs go well with her blog:
3. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
4. Lucky by Jason Marz

The Miles Family is a blog about how important family is. The following songs go well with this blog:
5. To Where You Are By Josh Groban
6. You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
7. Ave Maria by Celine Dion

Everyone has a story to tell, this is ours is a blot about life as a marathon. This song goes well with her blog:
8. Calabria by Enur

Behind the Times is a blog about a woman who is afraid of turning grey and getting old. The following songs go well with this blog:
9. If I Had A Million Dollars by Bare Naked Ladies
10. Glory by Selah

The Albert Family is a blog about family adventures. The following songs go well with this blog:
11. Sunday Mornings by Maroon 5
12. Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

Life from the Hilltop is a blog about family life from an elevated view. The following song goes well with this blog:
13. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

Getting Children to Practice Music

2008-08-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

WFMW: Tips For Getting Your Children to Practice Music

Mom: Have you practiced yet?
Child: Mom! I don't want to!
Mom: Do you realize how much money I am spending on your private lessons, and you don't have enough courtesy to…

And we all know how this story plays out. Mom gets mad at child, child gets mad at mom, private teacher gets mad at mom and child, and no one is having any more fun! I have heard so many moms' complain about trying to get their children to practice. With all the money that is spent on a private teacher, I can see why mom gets frustrated when her child doesn't practice. Here are some ideas that work when it comes to getting your child to practice:

1. Sit down with your child and make a weekly schedule. In the schedule set some time aside for daily practice. Post this schedule by your child's bed or in a place your child will see the schedule everyday. When your child sees this schedule that he or she helped make, the child may be then more willing to abide by it.

2. Make a clean and inviting space in your home for your child to practice. I remember growing up we had our piano in a room that we walked through a lot. The room was open with lots of windows and light. The piano was also easy to access, so I could plop right down and play. Because of the inviting environment the piano was in, I wanted to sit down and play. This was a space that I loved going to.

Make sure this space is free from distractions. The TV should be off, and brothers and sisters should try to be quite while practicing is going on so your child can concentrate.

3. Have your child fill out a practice log. Have your child's music teacher write down his or her weekly assignments in the log, and then have your child fill out what he or she practices in detail every day.
Make sure your child writes down how long he or she practiced, and questions they may have for the music teacher for the next lesson. This is a good way to keep track of your child’s progress.

4. Have your child tape record his or her self playing and then listen to the recording. This is an excellent way for your child to listen to what he or she needs to work on, and it could be something fun and different for your child to try.

5. Support your child by going to his or her performances and recitals. There is no better way to get your child to want to keep learning if he or she knows how important music it is to you, also.

6. Keep your child's instrument in good shape. If the instrument needs tuning then get it tuned. If something needs to be repaired, then have it repaired. It is hard to want to practice on an instrument that isn't working right.

7. Have rewards for daily practice. For example, your child can watch his or her favorite show if he or she practices for 30 minutes first, or your child can have a friend over if he or she practices everyday this week.

8. If rewards don't work, try asking your child why he or she does not want to practice. Is it because your child's music piece is too hard? Does your child not like the music he or she is playing? Is the set practice time not a time your child wants to practice during? Or, does your child not like playing the instrument he or she is playing? Once you find out what the reason is, then you can help your child solve the problem. Asking your child’s music teacher to get your child some music that will teach your child what he or she is suppose to be learning and music they will like to play. Or if your child doesn't like his or her teacher, then you can find your child a new one. This is a time to really listen to your child and get to the real reason to why he or she does not want to practice. You could be surprised at how easy the problem might be to fix.

For more information on how to get your child to practice visit: http://www.kenfoster.com/Articles/Practicing.htm

I am participating in Works For Me Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday:

What instrument am I?

Answer to last week's Wordless Wednesday:

I am a contrabass clarinet. I am one of the largest members of the clarinet family.

I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.

I am participating in Wordful Wednesday.

Songs for Children: On Top of Spaghetti

2008-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

On Top of Spaghetti

On top of spaghetti,

All covered with cheese,

I lost my poor meatball,

When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,

And on to the floor,

And then my poor meatball,

Rolled out of the door.

It rolled in the garden,

And under a bush,

And then my poor meatball,

Was nothing but mush.

The mush was as tasty
As tasty could be,

And then the next summer,

It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,

All covered with moss,

And on it grew meatballs,

And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,

All covered with cheese,

Hold on to your meatball,

Whenever you sneeze.

Music Craft: Rainstick

2008-08-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rainstick

A rainstick is a long hallow tube filled with beads or beans, and has small pins arranged helically inside. Rainsticks were originally made to create the sound of a rain storm and it was believed that they could bring rainstorms.

A rainstick is held at a 45 degree angle allowing the beads to fall gradually to create the sound of falling rain. Rainsticks can also be tapped to make a more controlled sound and can be used as a shaker to create percussive rhythms. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick)

Rainstick Craft:

Materials Needed:

1. Aluminum foil
2. Glue
3. Scissors
4. Crayons
5. Paper towel roll
6. Small dried beans

Instructions:

1. Trace two circles around the paper towel roll on construction paper (as seen in photo).

2. Draw a bigger circle around each circle just drawn (as seen in photo).

3. Draw spokes connecting the inner and outer circle (as seen in photo).

4. Cut out the circles along the outer circle lines and cut along each spoke up to the inner circle line.

5. Cup one circle along inner circle line and glue it on to one end of the paper towel roll.

6. Cut out 2 pieces of aluminum foil 6 inches wide, and 18 inches long. Twist the aluminum pieces into a spring shape (Most foil rolls are the perfect width when cut in half).

7. Put the aluminum springs into the roll.

8. Pour beans into the roll.

9. Cap off the other end with the other circle as done in step 5.

10. Decorate the tube as desired.

Have fun making rain!

This craft idea was from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/ .

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Rock Band and Guitar Hero Game Reviews

2008-08-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was introduced to Rock Band and Guitar Hero from my brother in-law. I have to say these games are addicting and fun!

Looking for something new?

If you are in the market for a fun and new game for your kids, and you are okay with the music on these games, then Rock Band and Guitar Hero may be for you! However, if you are in the market for a game to teach your kids music, it would be better to go out buy your kids a real guitar or drum set and set up your kids with a music teacher because then your kids could actually learn how to play the real instrument.

Although Rock Band and Guitar Hero do not help your kids learn play the music, they may help your kids become interested in playing music. My brother-in-law told me that after playing Rock Band, he is in the market for a drum set; he also told me he probably would have never been interested in playing drums if he didn't get hooked on Rock Band and that many people he knows became interested in playing guitar and drums from first playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

Technically speaking:

From a musical point of view, Rock Band and Guitar Hero neither teach a gamer how to read music nor how to play a real instrument. However, they do teach the gamer how to play some basic rock rhythms. This is accomplished as the game player strums or drums to different-colored lights as the lights pass by. The action of keeping the beat helps the gamer feel what it may be like to keep the beat in an actual band. This is why people who play this game may become interested in learning to play a real instrument!

A word to the wise:
Last week, I read of a teenager who had dropped out of school just to play Guitar Hero. To avoid such addictions, like all games, it would be a good idea to enforce game-playing time limits.

Rhythm Lesson #2

2008-08-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lesson 2: Learning Meter

Learning Objective:

Children will be able to clap different meters. It is important to learn about meters because understanding a meter is one of the beginning steps to reading music.

Instructions:

Explain to your child what a meter is by telling your child that in most music there is a pulse, and some pulses are stronger than others. When you have a pattern of strong and weak pulses, you get a meter.There are 3 common meters (A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals, Duckworth):

1. Duple meter (one strong pulse and one weak pulse, first line)

2. Triple meter (one strong pulse and 2 weak pulses, second line)

3. Quadruple meter (one strong pulse and 3 weak pulses, third line)

Copy the image above onto paper and show it to your child. Tell your child that there is an accent under some of the notes distinguishing the differences between the meter patterns. (An accent is a musical mark telling the person reading the music that the note should be stressed more than the other notes.) Now clap the 3 examples with your child. Every time you see an accent under the note, clap a little harder. After clapping the examples with your child, explain to your child that by doing this exercise, he or she can feel and hear the differences between the meters.

Assessment:

Can your child clap all three examples with the accents? If not, help him or her until they can.

Adapting to younger children:

Clap your child's hands for them to the 3 examples shown above (make sure you stress the accents.) By doing this your child will be able to feel the difference between the meters.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I?

Answer for last week's musical instrument:I am a percussion instrument called a vibraslap. You use me by holding the handle with one hand, and with the other hand hitting the ball against your palm. When you hit me you will hear a rattling sound. Click below to hear an example of what I sound like!

Vibraslap

Songs for Baby

2008-08-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lullaby and Goodnight

Johannes Brahms Lyrics

Listen

Lyllaby, and good night,

With pink roses bedight,

With lilies o'erspread,

Is my baby's sweet head.

Lay you down now, and rest,

May your slumber be blessed!

Lay you down now, and rest,

May thy slumber be blessed!

Lullaby, and good night,

You're your mother's delight,

Shining angels beside

My darling abide.

Soft and warm is your bed,

Close your eyes and rest your head.

Soft and warm is your bed,

Close your eyes and rest your head.

Sleepyhead, close your eyes.

Mother's right here beside you.

I'll protect you from harm,

You will wake in my arms.

Guardian angels are near,

So sleep on, with no fear.

Guardian angels are near,

So sleep on, with no fear.

Lullaby, and sleep tight.

Hush! My darling is sleeping,

On his sheets white as cream,

With his head full of dreams.

When the sky's bright with dawn,

He will wake in the morning.

When noontide warms the world,

He will frolic in the sun.

Music Game: Musical Chairs with a Twist

2008-08-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Original Game of Musical Chairs
Musical chairs is a game in which chairs are arranged in a circle with one less chair than people who are playing (e.g. 5 chairs and 6 people). The game starts with the people walking around the chairs while the music is playing. When the music stops, the people hurry and try to sit in a chair before all the chairs are taken. The person who didn't sit in a chair is out, and one chair is taken out of the circle for the next round.

Musical Chairs with a Twist!
Although the original musical chairs is a blast, my children and I like to play musical chairs with a twist, a game we made up! Musical chairs with a twist is played the same way as musical chairs but one change.

The person who didn't sit on a chair fast enough must answer a question, get the right answer, and then he or she can be back in the game.

The adult running the music will ask the child the question. (The questions can be about anything.) Here is a sample list of questions:

Music history questions: Name a composer from the Baroque Era.

Biology questions: Name the parts of a cell.

History questions: Who was the 4th president of the United States of America?

Music listening questions: Who sang the song we just listened to?

Enjoy playing musical chairs with a twist!

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Fridge Phonics by Leap Frog

2008-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I recently bought Fridge Phonics by Leap Frog after hearing friends say how great it is. Fridge Phonics is a durable and magnetic letter reader that sticks to your refrigerator. It comes with all the letters of the alphabet, and it will sing the names and the sounds of the letters when you press the letters in the letter reader. Fridge Phonics also sings the ABC song.

I really like fridge phonics because it teaches my child the alphabet in a fun and new way.
The only negative thing I can say about Fridge Phonics is that the ABC song is to fast for children who are first learning how to sing it. I would like Fridge Phonics better if Leap Frog made a setting to play the ABC song slow, medium, and fast. Then, children could learn the song (and each letter) really well at the slow speed and then work their way up to the fast speed.

You can learn more about Fridge Phonics here.

Music Lesson: Importance of Using a Metronome

2008-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

What is a metronome?
A metronome is a musical device that keeps a steady pulse.

Who should use a metronome?
Everyone! Even professional musicians use metronomes.

When do I use a metronome?
A metronome should almost always be used when practicing.

What type of metronome should I use?

There are 3 types of metronomes:
1. Digital
2. Analog
3. Mechanical

One of my favorite metronomes is called Boss. These can get pricey but are great for musicians who are playing a lot of complex rhythms. For beginning music students I would recommend an analog metronome because it is easy to use and easy to pack around. You can read more about the differences between the 3 types of metronomes here.

Where can I get a metronome?
You can get a metronome from a local music store or on-line. You can find good prices at http://www.amazon.com/.

Why should I use a metronome?
I cannot over emphasis the importance of using a metronome! If someone does not practice with a metronome, he or she will not play with a steady beat.

Using a metronome is a MUST because a metronome helps you to do the following:
1. Play with a steady beat
2. Feel the tempo of the piece
3. Play at your tempo goal (e.g. if a piece has a “difficult to play” tempo, starting slowly and gradually speeding up with a metronome will help you to play at your tempo goal.)

How do I use a metronome?
There are a many ways to practice with a metronome when trying to learn a new piece. Here are some ways I have my students practice with a metronome:

1. Set your metronome to the speed of the piece, and play the whole piece with the metronome on. Can you play the whole piece without making any mistakes? If not, slow down the metronome to a speed you can play at without making any mistakes. Once you can play the piece with out making any mistakes at the slower speed, then speed up the metronome a few clicks. Gradually speed up a few clicks (only if you can play at each speed with out any mistakes,) until you reach your goal speed.

2. Practice playing through your piece a few measures at a time with the metronome on. For example, let’s say your piece is 8 measures long. You can repeat measures 1-2 until you make no mistakes. Then, go on to measures 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 repeating, these measures with out any mistakes. Now play measures 1-4, and then play measures 5-8. Once you can play these sections without any mistakes, play the whole 8 measures until you make no mistakes.

3. There is a GREAT website that contains information about metronome use: http://www.metronomeonline.com/ . This site has a free, on-line metronome and has articles on how to use a metronome, on tempo markings, on how to practice music, and on timing.

Music Instrument

2008-08-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

What musical instrument am I, and what am I used for?

Songs for Children: Funiculi, Funicula

2008-08-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Funiculì, Funiculà

Listen

Some think the world is made for fun and frolic,

And so do I! And so do I!

Some think it well to be all melancholic,

To pine and sigh; to pine and sigh;

But I, I love to spend my time in singing,

Some joyous song, some joyous song,

To set the air with music bravely ringing

Is far from wrong! Is far from wrong!

Listen, listen, echoes sound afar!

Funiculì, funiculà, funiculì, funiculà!

Echoes sound afar, funiculì, funiculà!

Ah me! 'tis strange that some should take to sighing,

And like it well! And like it well!

For me, I have not thought it worth the trying,

So cannot tell! So cannot tell!

With laugh, with dance and song the day soon passes

Full soon is gone, full soon is gone,

For mirth was made for joyous lads and lasses

To call their own! To call their own!

Listen, listen, hark the soft guitar!

Funiculì, funiculà, funiculì, funiculà!

Hark the soft guitar, funiculì, funiculà!

Listen

How to pronounce funiculi: fyŏŏ-nĭḱyə-ləs

Music by: Luigi Denza

Traditional English Lyrics From: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Music Craft: Painting

2008-08-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Art Project: Painting to Music

Materials Needed:
1. Paints
2. Paint brush
3. 2 blank pieces of paper
4. 2 paper plates
5. 1 classical song
6. 1 rock song (can be any style of music as long as the 2 styles of music contrast)
7. CD player

Instructions:

For this project we will be painting to 2 different styles of music and comparing the differences between the paintings.

1. Give your child a paper plate with some paints squeezed out on it, a blank sheet of paper, a paint brush, and a cup of water. (As shown above.)

2. Let your child paint to the first song for 5 minutes. (Time can be shortened or lengthened depending on your child's attention span.) Make sure to let your child paint to each style of music for equal amounts of time.

3. Put the first painting aside when the 5 minutes is up.

3. Have your child paint to the rock song on a blank piece of paper with a new set of paint for 5 minutes.

4. Note the differences between the two paintings, and discuss the differences between the paintings with your child.

5. Tell your child that different styles of music can move us in different ways and can sometimes be shown through painting.

My Daughter's Results:

For both trials, my Daughter painted to the same classical and rock song for 3 minutes each.
For trial #1 she painted to the classical song first. For Trial #2 she painted to the rock song first.

Trial #1: Classical Painting, Rock Painting

Trial #2: Classical Painting, Rock Painting

Note: This project is not implying in any way that one musical form is better than the other.

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.

Music Craft: Box Guitar

2008-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Box Guitar Craft

About Box Guitars:
To the left are examples of box guitars that were made in the 19th century. Box guitars were made out of discarded cigar boxes with a broom stick inserted in the end. Box guitars were popular and cheap to make.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigar_box_guitar)

Box Guitar Craft:

Materials Needed:
1. Kleenex box
2. Paper towel tube
3. Paint (optional)
4. Paint brush (optional)
5. 3 rubber bands
6. Pencil/pen
7. Scissors
8. Tape

Directions:

1. Paint the Kleenex box and the paper towel tube (optional).

2. Put the paper towel tube on the end of the box and draw a circle on the Kleenex box around the tube.

3. Cut out the circle in the Kleenex box.

4. Push the paper towel tube through the Kleenex box hole and secure it with tape.

5. String rubber bands around the Kleenex box.

6. Secure a pencil underneath the rubber bands on one side as shown below.

7. Now you are ready to rock!

This great idea was from:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Boxguitar.shtml

Review: Vtech Classic Rhymes and Discover Book

2008-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Vtech Classic Rhymes and Discover Book

Story time in our house is one of our favorite times of the day, but with how much my kids love me to read to them, I sometimes need to take a break to get some things done around the house. So, I finally found a book that my kids absolutely love that they can look at by themselves! It is the Classic Rhymes and Discover Book by Vtech.

This book lights up, is colorful, and contains six different nursery rhyme songs. It is a plus for a mom like me!

I highly recommend this book for babies and toddlers. You can read more about the book here.

How to Get Children Interested in Music

2008-08-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

First Steps to Starting Your Child in Music

Recently, I had a great visitor, Angie@keepbelieving, comment on my blog. This is what she said:

“…I don't even know where to start with my kids. We have no instruments. My husband and I have never played anything. I can't read music and I don't know what first steps to take with my 5 and 6 years old boys.”

I have received many questions like Angie’s, so I have compiled a list of the first steps to take to help your child get integrated in music:

1. Listen to music daily. Play a CD for your child everyday as part of his or her daily routine. I like to play different styles of music everyday for my children during their snack time. I tell them who the musical artist is and what style of music they are listening to.

2. Take your child to a music concert.

3. Expose your child to many styles of music. For example, your child may be more interested in one musical style over another.

4. Make musical instruments/crafts. This is a great way to get your child interested in music at a young age.

5. Sing to your child. Teach your child a new song often. I hear many a parent comment that they don’t want to sing to their children because they don’t like the sound of their own voice. That is okay! I promise you that your children would rather hear you sing than not at all. For many children, singing time is a favorite part of their day.

6. Turn on music and dance with your child to the beat. This is a great way to bond with your child and to help your child feel the music.

7. Give your child musical toys. Some examples (although there are many) are as follows: a play keyboard, drums, maracas, tambourines, radios, xylophones, and guitars.

8. Learn about music. It’s never too late to start! Since the best way to teach is by example, if your child is seeing you learning about music, then he or she may want to learn about music, also. For example, you can take music lessons or teach yourself how to play an instrument by going to a music store and buying an instructional book.

9. Enroll your child in a school band, choir, or orchestra program. These programs start as early as 5th grade and are a great way to start your children in music. Even if your child is in home school, most public schools will let your child participate in their music programs. The great thing about school programs is if you don’t have an instrument for your child, they have instruments to borrow.

To enroll your child in one of these programs, go to your local public school and talk to the music director about signing up!

10. Find out about music store programs. Many such stores have programs your child can participate in. For example, a local music store here in Alaska has a summer band program. This program has weekly rehearsals and a concert they put on at the end of the summer. Check out your local music stores to see what they offer!

11. Start your child in private music lessons. This is an excellent way to help your child become interested in music. Sometimes private music lessons can be pricey, but the price is well worth it!

When do you start private music lessons? Some private music teachers will start children as early as 3 years old. Generally, a good time to start private lessons is when your child learns to read.

Finding the right teacher is essential when getting started in private music lessons. Make sure you do your research. To do the research, you can ask other students, moms of students, public school music teachers, and local music store personnel their opinion of who a good teacher is. Once you find a teacher, ask him or her if you can sit in on a lesson before you sign up to see if you are a good match. (Many teachers will let you sit in on a lesson.)

If you feel private music lessons are too costly, local colleges and universities have upper-class music students who give lessons. Most of the students are great and cost a whole lot less. Make sure you do your research. Ask the music professors at the college or university who they recommend.

12. Rent a musical instrument from a local music store. Most music stores will let you try different instruments before buying or renting. Some music stores even offer a free music lesson with your rental! Depending on the instrument you rent, most rentals can run between $20.00 – $60.00 a month.

Have fun!

For more information about learning music, check out my post 10 Reasons Why Children Should Learn Music.

Songs for Children: Loop de Loop

2008-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Listen Here

Loop de Loop

Lyrics:

Here we go loop de loop

Here we go loop de lie

Here we go loop de loop

All on a Saturday night

You put your right hand in

You take your right hand out

You give your hand a shake, shake, shake

And turn yourself about

Here we go loop de loop

Here we go loop de lie

Here we go loop de loop

All on a Saturday night

You put your left foot in

You take your left foot out

You give your foot a shake, shake, shake

And turn yourself about

Here we go loop de loop

Here we go loop de lie

Here we go loop de loop

All on a Saturday night

You put your right hip in

You take your right hip out

You give your right hip a shake, shake, shake

And turn yourself about

Here we go loop de loop

Here we go loop de lie

Here we go loop de loop

All on a Saturday night

You put your whole self in

You take your whole self out

You give yourself a shake, shake, shake

And turn yourself about

Lyrics and musical example from: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/looby.htm

Rhythm Lesson #1

2008-08-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

Learn to Feel the Beat/Pulse

Importance of feeling a pulse:
Most music we hear has a steady beat, or pulse. Learning to feel the pulse is the first step your child will need to learn before he or she can begin to read rhythm.

Learning objective:
Children will be able to clap or tap their feet to the pulse.

Equipment Needed:
Examples of fast, medium, and slow paced music with a steady pulse.

Instructions:
1. Tell your children that most music they listen to has a steady beat, or pulse. The pulse can be fast, medium, or slow. There are many ways to feel the pulse. You can clap your hands, tap your foot, or even nod your head.

2. Turn on an example of the medium-paced music. Clap (or whatever your child prefers to do to feel the pulse) your hands to the music's pulse/beat, and explain to your child you are clapping your hands to the pulse. Let your child try to clap his or her hands to the pulse. Your child might need help, so you can help your child clap. This may take some practice, especially if your child has never clapped before.

3. Now do the same activity for the slow and fast songs, and have your child clap to the pulse.

4. For fun, you can have your child try to jump, tap his or her foot, or his or her head, march, or dance to the pulse.

5. You can also try doing this with a metronome.

Adapting to younger children (toddlers/babies)
Turn on a musical selection, and clap your child’s hands to the pulse/beat for them. Tell your child he or she is clapping to the pulse. Do this activity for the slow, medium, and fast paced music.

Now let your child try to clap to the pulse by themselves.

For fun, you can let your child hit 2 blocks together, or bang a stick on the ground to the pulse.

Assessment:
Can your child do this next time with out any instruction? If not, help your child until he or she can.

I am participating in Family Moment Monday. Check it out here!

Thank You

2008-08-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

I need to take a moment to thank some very important people! Thank you to my supportive husband, my wonderful mom, scribbit, and motherhoodfordummies for helping me with my blog. Were it not for you, I would have never started a blog! You are so awesome!

Music Craft: Egg Shakers

2008-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Egg Shaker Craft

Egg shakers are a smaller version of the maracas. Musicians like to use egg shakers because they are small, cheap, and easy to pack around. You can use egg shakers to keep a beat, and to create rhythms as you slide them back and forth. I have created a simple version of an egg shaker that you can make with your kids. Hope you have as much fun as we did making them and shaking them!

Materials Needed:

1. Empty egg carton
2. Duct tape
3. Beans/rice/dry sand/corn (or something similar)
4. Paint/markers
5. Crepe paper streamer
6. Glue
7. Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut out the compartments in the bottom of the egg carton

2. Cut sides to make even

3. Fill one of the compartments with beans/rice
4. Place an empty compartment on top of filled compartment

5. Cut 2 strips of duct tape ¼ inch wide and 6 inches long

6. Tape the compartments together (use 2 pieces of tape for strength)

7. Paint the shakers

8. Let dry

9. Cut a strip of crepe paper 6 inches long and ¾ inches wide

10. Fold the crepe paper in half long ways

11. Glue the crepe paper on the egg shaker

12. Let glue dry

Now they are ready to shake!

Note: If you make more than one shaker, you can try putting different objects in each of them to get different sounds (e.g. rice in one and sand in another.)

Sesame Street Live: Elmo! Ready for Action

2008-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

You can always count on Sesame Street to put on a great show!

My daughter and I went to see "Elmo! Ready for Action" for the first time, and we loved it! The show is very entertaining with a perfect balance of dialogue and songs that hold the children’s attention throughout the performance. The shooting confetti and blinking lights keep the children wooing and awing.

In the show Grover loses is "super-ness." Elmo, Telly Monster, Zoe, and Rosita help him find it. Other characters making appearances from Sesame Street are Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Count Von Count, Oscar, and Big Bird.

The only negative thing I can say about this show is because we weren't sitting in one of the front two rows, we weren't able to meet some of the characters who come out to say hi and hug the children. Otherwise, the show was wonderful.

I highly recommend this Sesame Street Live and give it an A+! To find out more information, you can go to http://www.sesamestreetlive.com/ and see if Sesame Street Live is coming soon to your town!

10 Reasons Why Children Should Learn Music:

2008-07-30T00:42:00.000-07:00

1. "Children raised in cultures rich with music tend to develop learning and communication skills more quickly than other children.

2. There is a high correlation between positive self-perception, high cognitive competence scores, self-esteem, and interest and involvement in school music.

3. Music experiences instill positive attitudes, a positive self-image, a desire to achieve excellence, an ability to set goals, cooperation, and group cohesiveness.

4. Students participating in music outperform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. These differences become greater and longer the students participate in music.

5. Students participating in music have a higher overall grade point average in high school and score 21-38 points higher on Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT’s) than do other students.

6. By producing strong scholastic achievement scores, music contributes positively to the school environment. Music teacher staffing is a better indicator of overall educational quality than is the overall ratio of pupils to teachers.

7. Many institutions of higher learning seek out students who have participated in musical organizations.

8. Musical training can be a big help in getting to the top. 90% of more than 1000 chief executive officers and legislators said that playing a musical instrument as a child helped them develop character and leadership skills.

9. Instrumental musicians are good citizens. Statistics show that the crime rate among musicians is lower than among the population at large.

10. Music is an efficient and meaningful way to integrate different cultural attributes into the curriculum." (Standard of Excellence, Bruce Pearson)

Why do you think children should learn music?

Songs for Children

2008-07-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Little White Duck
Listen

There’s a little white duck swimming in the water
A little white duck doing what he aughter
He took a bite of the lilly pad
Flapped his wings and he said “I’m glad
I’m a little white duck swimming in the water
Quack! Quack! Quack!”

There’s a little green frog jumping in the water
A little green frog doing what he aughter
He jumped right off of the lily pad
That the little duck bit and he said “I’m glad
I’m a little green frog jumping in the water
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!”

There’s a little black bug floating in the water
A little black bug doing what he aughter
He tickled the frog on the lily pad
That the little duck bit and he said “I’m glad
I’m a little black bug floating in the water
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!”

There’s a little red snake swimming in the water
A little red snake doing what he aughter
He frightened the duck and the frog so bad
He ate the little bug and he said “I’m glad
I’m a little red snake floating in the water
Ssss! Ssss! Ssss!”

Now there’s nobody left sitting in the water
Nobody left doing what he augher
There’s nothing left but the lily pad
The duck and the frog ran away it’s sad
But there’s nobody left sitting in the water
Boo hoo hoo!

Lyrics and musical example from: The Wayne Tape

My Goal:

2008-07-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

Plato once said, "Education in music is most sovereign because more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way to the inmost soul and take strongest hold upon it, bringing with them and imparting grace if one is rightly trained."

I, too, believe education in music is most sovereign, and I believe that everyone who learns music will reap its benefits.

This is Munchkins and Music--A Web site dedicated to helping moms to teach music to their children. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and have been playing music since I was eight years old. I play both the saxophone and piano as well as conduct band. One of my passions is to teach, and I have taught all ages of students privately and publicly.

Because of my background in music, I always have people asking me questions, such as: Why is it important to educate my child in music? How can I get my child interested in music? How can I teach my child music and where do I start? Come with me as I give answers to these questions and many more questions, and together we will educate the future of tomorrow.