Posts
For Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Music helps with self esteem and self discipline as well as school subjects.
Listen to music with your child everyday.
Music is sometimes loud and sometimes soft.
Talk to your child about what makes loud sounds and what makes soft sounds. Ask your child to find people, animals, and items and tell you whether they make loud or soft sounds. For instance: A baby asleep is quiet, so that is a soft sound because you are just hearing their quiet breathing. Drums beating in a parade make a loud noise. Play a CD and show your child the difference between loud and soft. In your daily activities, talk about whether they are loud or soft activities. Have your preschooler draw pictures and tell you whether they draw a picture of something loud or soft.
If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music please email me at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Catherine
"Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work and learn together." - Catherine
Books with CDs include:
Impressions Volume One and Two
Marches
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies
http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
www.ShoutLife.com/ClassyKeys
http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Music helps with self esteem and self discipline as well as school subjects.
Listen to music with your child everyday.
A Cappella - What is it?
Let's talk about a cappella music. A cappella music is music sung without any accompaniment. What does that mean? It means that the only instrument you hear is a voice or a group of voices.
Have you heard of Barber Shop Quartets? These groups usually sing four part harmony without any instrument accompanying them. It might be fun to look up about Barber Shop Quartets and where and how they got their start.
A cappella music was originally used in religious services. The Gregorian chant is an example. Listen to some Gregorian chants. Even though you might not understand their language can you tell what they are singing about and how it makes them feel?
Take time to investigate a cappella music. Maybe even write your own a cappella song.
If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music please email me at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Catherine
"Music is a journey, and on that journey we will work and learn together" - Catherine
Visit Catherine at:
http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
www.ShoutLife.com/ClassyKeys
http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com
Listen to music with your child everyday.
A Cappella - What is it?
Let's talk about a cappella music. A cappella music is music sung without any accompaniment. What does that mean? It means that the only instrument you hear is a voice or a group of voices.
Have you heard of Barber Shop Quartets? These groups usually sing four part harmony without any instrument accompanying them. It might be fun to look up about Barber Shop Quartets and where and how they got their start.
A cappella music was originally used in religious services. The Gregorian chant is an example. Listen to some Gregorian chants. Even though you might not understand their language can you tell what they are singing about and how it makes them feel?
Take time to investigate a cappella music. Maybe even write your own a cappella song.
If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music please email me at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Catherine
"Music is a journey, and on that journey we will work and learn together" - Catherine
Visit Catherine at:
http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
www.ShoutLife.com/ClassyKeys
http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com
Monday, March 15, 2010
Questions and Answers About Music Lessons
1. What is a good age to start music lessons?
Music teachers will argue this question. I think the younger the better. I would say 3 or 4 years old depending on the child and the teacher. The theory of music is much like school work. School aged children don’t like having extra things to write. So if you ask them to do the written theory that goes with the playing of the music they don't want to do it. The theory of the music gets lost. Younger children love to write and draw, so they will absorb the theory behind the music with a lot of enthusiasm. Please remember though, that music is a good thing to learn no matter what age you are.
2. How often should a student practice their music lesson?
Any amount of practice is a good thing. However, the more often the student practices the better they become. So, 1 hour, 1 day a week is not as good as 15 minutes everyday of the week. I practiced 30 minutes each day Monday through Friday and my parents gave me the weekend off from practice. They treated like it was a job, you worked at it for 5 days. In 4 years I was playing just about any song that was put in front of me. In today's busy world, I would say take the two busiest days and don't practice on those days. On the other 5 days find a time that is consistent to practice. Example: Right after school.
"Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work and learn together." - Catherine
If you have a question you would like answered by Catherine please email her at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Visit her at http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
1. What is a good age to start music lessons?
Music teachers will argue this question. I think the younger the better. I would say 3 or 4 years old depending on the child and the teacher. The theory of music is much like school work. School aged children don’t like having extra things to write. So if you ask them to do the written theory that goes with the playing of the music they don't want to do it. The theory of the music gets lost. Younger children love to write and draw, so they will absorb the theory behind the music with a lot of enthusiasm. Please remember though, that music is a good thing to learn no matter what age you are.
2. How often should a student practice their music lesson?
Any amount of practice is a good thing. However, the more often the student practices the better they become. So, 1 hour, 1 day a week is not as good as 15 minutes everyday of the week. I practiced 30 minutes each day Monday through Friday and my parents gave me the weekend off from practice. They treated like it was a job, you worked at it for 5 days. In 4 years I was playing just about any song that was put in front of me. In today's busy world, I would say take the two busiest days and don't practice on those days. On the other 5 days find a time that is consistent to practice. Example: Right after school.
"Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work and learn together." - Catherine
If you have a question you would like answered by Catherine please email her at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Visit her at http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Daily Dose of Music
Today many children are not being exposed to music either at home or at school. A music program that has melody, rhythm, movement, and speech which involves the whole child is essential. This type of music program should be a part of childhood. You, as the parent and/or teacher can incorporate music into every aspect of your teaching, and your students time with you.
Rhythm, is all around us and within us as well. What are some rhythms that you see or hear every day? An example is the sun raises and the sun sets. Another example is your heart beating. Rhythm helps to be successful in reading, writing, math, and more. Music helps develop listening skills and speech. It is also a creative activity where a child can use his or her imagination. Another thing that happens when a child is active in music (s)he learns coordination and social skills, which in turn build confidence.
Singing is the most natural way of musical expressions. Children love to sing. The activities that go with the songs give children a way to use up pent up energy in a good way. Your voice is your first musical instrument. Don’t worry about not being a good singer. The children don’t expect you to have a professional singer’s voice. Definitely be enthusiastic! The children will join right in. As you are helping them build confidence, you’ll be receiving confidence yourself.
Today many children are not being exposed to music either at home or at school. A music program that has melody, rhythm, movement, and speech which involves the whole child is essential. This type of music program should be a part of childhood. You, as the parent and/or teacher can incorporate music into every aspect of your teaching, and your students time with you.
Rhythm, is all around us and within us as well. What are some rhythms that you see or hear every day? An example is the sun raises and the sun sets. Another example is your heart beating. Rhythm helps to be successful in reading, writing, math, and more. Music helps develop listening skills and speech. It is also a creative activity where a child can use his or her imagination. Another thing that happens when a child is active in music (s)he learns coordination and social skills, which in turn build confidence.
Singing is the most natural way of musical expressions. Children love to sing. The activities that go with the songs give children a way to use up pent up energy in a good way. Your voice is your first musical instrument. Don’t worry about not being a good singer. The children don’t expect you to have a professional singer’s voice. Definitely be enthusiastic! The children will join right in. As you are helping them build confidence, you’ll be receiving confidence yourself.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Welcome To Catherine's Music Notes
I believe that everyone needs music in their life. Music is beneficial to us for so many different reasons. I will be blogging about music. Telling parents about music lessons and what they should expect from the teacher, we'll talk about reading music and playing 'by ear'. My blogs are going to be about all aspects of music and learning music. I hope you will participate and let me know what you think.
I was very young when my parents would eat in a diner in New Jersey, put on a record of Elvis, put me up on the counter and I would sing and dance as best as I could, just like Elvis. Then it was church productions where I usually had the leading lady parts. So, all my life I have been involved in music and performing. Music has always been there with me, it is the biggest part of who I am. I didn't figure out until in my 40s that other people didn't hear or 'see' music the same way that I did.
My goal is to use my creativity and empathy to teach, support, and inspire you to freely express your talents in a harmonious and creative way. I love people, and I love to teach. *smiles*
"Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work together." - Catherine
I believe that everyone needs music in their life. Music is beneficial to us for so many different reasons. I will be blogging about music. Telling parents about music lessons and what they should expect from the teacher, we'll talk about reading music and playing 'by ear'. My blogs are going to be about all aspects of music and learning music. I hope you will participate and let me know what you think.
I was very young when my parents would eat in a diner in New Jersey, put on a record of Elvis, put me up on the counter and I would sing and dance as best as I could, just like Elvis. Then it was church productions where I usually had the leading lady parts. So, all my life I have been involved in music and performing. Music has always been there with me, it is the biggest part of who I am. I didn't figure out until in my 40s that other people didn't hear or 'see' music the same way that I did.
My goal is to use my creativity and empathy to teach, support, and inspire you to freely express your talents in a harmonious and creative way. I love people, and I love to teach. *smiles*
"Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work together." - Catherine
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