Questions and Answers

1. Why is it important to learn music?
Learning music along with academics and sports helps to make you a well-rounded individual. Here are a few studies about how music helps:

Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training. Musically trained children performed better in a memory test that is correlated with general intelligence skills such as literacy, verbal memory, visiospatial processing, mathematics, and IQ. - Dr. Laurel Trarinor, Prof. of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior at McMaster University, 2006.

Playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain stem's sensitivity to speech sounds. This relates to encoding skills involved with music and language. Experience with music at a young age can "fine-tune" the brain's auditory system. - Nature Neuroscience, April 2007.

1997 - Researchers found that children given piano lessons improved much more dramatically in their spatial-temporal IQ scores (important for some types of mathematical reasoning) than children who received computer lessons or no lessons.

1997 - A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science.

A study with 69 children with autism, attention deficit disorder, and epilepsy showed that while they are exposed to music, (and in some cases, for significant periods afterwards), their social skills and concentration improved dramatically in almost all cases. A related study proved that after a year of piano lessons and music therapy, the seizures in 79% of epilepsy patients disappeared completely.

Music students out-perform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Skills such as reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall, and concentration are developed in musical performance and these skills are valuable to students in math, reading, and science. - B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrument Music Classes, "Dissertation Abstracts Internationa."

If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music please email me at Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com

Have a Musical Day!!! *smiles*

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, Two, and Three
Marches
The Frog Prince
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
www.ShoutLife.com/ClassyKeys
http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com/

Historical Periods

Did you know that cave paintings have been discovered in France and Spain that are more than 20,000 years old? We can imagine that they sung or played music. Unfortunately, it was not written down, so we have no record of it.

There are a few fragments of written music from the ancient Greeks and Romans. The earliest manuscripts of whole pieces date from the Middle Ages.

The main historical periods in the music of Europe are:

Middle Ages 400 - 1400
Renaissance 1400 - 1600
Baroque 1600 - 1750
Classical 1750 - 1800
Romantic 1800 - 1900
Twentieth Century 1900 - 2000

Here is something to think about:
Isn't it odd that we call most of this music Classical music and yet the Classical Period only lasted 50 years?

If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music please email me at Catherines.Music.Notes@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

May's Questions and Answers

1. Can learning a musical instrument improve grades at school?
Studies have linked active music making with better language and math ability, improved school grades, better-adjusted social behavior, and improvements in "spatial-temporal reasoning". -American Music Conference, 2001.

A Standford University Admissions Officer said: "The offerings in music history, music theory, and arts history seem to me a rich and enviable component for a secondary school."

2. Does taking piano lessons help with SAT scores?
There is a direct correlation between improved SAT scores and the length of time spent studying the arts. College-bound seniors who'd had music experience scored 52 points higher on the verbal portion of their SATs and 37 points higher in math (89 points combined) than those without arts instruction. - Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, 1998.

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/

May's Discovery Page

(Answers are found at the bottom of the page)

1. When was composer Johannes Brahms born?

2. Which Russian composer was born May 7, 1840?

3. Which country was Irving Berlin from?

More Discovery

Richard Wagner, a German composer was born May 22, 1813. Find out more about Richard Wagner. Who did Wagner composed music for? He has a connection with Neuschwanstein Castle, which is the castle that Disney copied. Find out that connection.

Johannes Brahms, a German composer was born May 7, 1833. He was a virtuoso pianist, and composed for piano, voice, orchestra, and ensembles. Brahms was popular during his life for his music. Do you know some famous names he performed with?

Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist born May 11, 1888. Find out more about him. Irving Berlin wrote many songs that you should recognize.

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


Answers:
1. May 7, 1833.
2. Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky.
3. USA, he was an American composer.

Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

High and Low Sounds

We've talked about loud sounds and quiet (soft) sounds. Oftentimes a child will mix up the loud sounds for high sounds and the soft sounds for low sounds. Music has sounds that are high in pitch, like a bird singing, and low in pitch like a lions growls.

Let's talk about high and low sounds. The left side of the piano/keyboard as you are looking at it is the lower sounds. The right side of the piano/keyboard as you are looking at it is the higher sounds. Any sound can be loud. Any sound can be soft (quiet). Have your child sing a high sound. Have then sing that high sound loudly, then softly. Do the same thing with the low sound. Soon they will understand the difference between loud and soft, and high and low.

What musical instruments are high in sound? Here's an example: The Recorder. Find some more.

What musical instruments are low in sound? Here's an example: The Tuba. Find some more.

Listen to a recorder, flute, and piccolo. Which of these high sounding instruments can sound the highest?

Listen to a tuba and bass fiddle. Which of these instruments can sound the lowest?

What is your favorite instrument? Why?

Parents, if you play a musical instrument share it with your young child.

If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music, please email your question to 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

A Capella and Tessitura

Did you write your own a cappella song after reading my blogspot from March 22? If so, please share it with us by sending your music to me at: Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com

Let me tell you about the different singing voices.

The large groups are soprano, contralto, tenor, and bass. The soprano is the high voice. The contralto (called alto) is lower then the soprano and usually harmonizes to the melody that the soprano usually sings. These are mostly women's voice, or unchanged male voices. The two men's voice groups are tenor and bass. The tenor is the higher and the bass is low. Sometimes women with a lower sound quality to their voice are considered being tenor.

Tessitura is the range in which a given voice has it's best timbre and texture. In other words, where the sound of that voice sounds it's best. Some people sound better higher and others sound better lower. So, the tessitura helps a conductor or teacher decide what part of the music you would sound better singing.

Parents should be aware that often times music teachers in school will put your child who sings soprano in the alto section if they have a quick ear or know how to read music. This can be a good thing because then your child learns to hear a part other then melody. But many times it can hurt your child's voice and also their confidence in singing. Many times adults who sang alto as a child will just say they can't sing high. So please talk to your girl if the teacher puts her in the alto section. If she gets sore throats, have her stop singing alto. Remember that the music teacher is looking out for the sound and good of the group, not always each individual child. If you have a question about this you can email me, or talk with someone in your town who can help you assess you child's voice.

Learn about the word "tessitura".

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

April's Questions and Answers

1. How many people are in an orchestra?
The numbers vary depending on the work that is being played. There can be up to 100 people in an orchestra. A chamber orchestra has up to 50 people. The full size orchestra is called a symphony orchestra or Philharmonic Orchestra.

When I was a little girl, I thought that Phil owned that harmonic orchestra up in Boston. I was very glad it was harmonic too. And I thought that Phil only owned one, so I was quite confused when I found out that there was one in London too.

2. What is Classical Music?
It is a particular period of time in the history of music. This time period is from 1750 to 1820. A few composers of the time period are Hayden, Mozart, and Beethoven. It was melodic and elegant music, and written oftentimes for dances. Music prior to the Classical Era was of a more heavy, formal nature. Today many composers will compose in Classical Style, even though the Classical Era is over.

If you have a question you would like me to answer about learning music or about 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

April's Discovery Page

"April showers bring May Flowers" is a saying that has been around for centuries.

Find out the answers to these questions and then see how many of your family and friends know the answers. (Answers can be found at the bottom of this page.)

1. What year was this saying first said?

2. Who first wrote the poem "April showers bring May flowers?

More Discovery

Tempo in Music is the speed of the of a composition. The tempo is measured according to beats per minute.

3. If the month of April was to be put to a tempo, what tempo do you think it would be and why?

4. The word shower is used in the saying for the rain. Does that make you feel like the rain is coming down hard or soft?

5. Write your own poem about April Showers bringing May Flowers. Then set it to music. You may submit your song to Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com

If you have a question or questions 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


Answers
1. 1557 - it was a poem.
2. Thomas Tusser

April's Notes For Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Use pots and pans and other kitchen items to make a rhythm band with your young child. Then listen to this march music and play your rhythm instruments (pots and pans) with the music. You can even march around as you play.

Click here to listen and play along with the march.

Have your young child draw pictures of drums. Perhaps look online to find out about different types of drums.

Remember to go to my website http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine for musical activities to do with your preschooler. Look under Preschool Music.

Have Fun!!!

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