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An expert in teaching creative children and helping parents understand their creative child, Catherine coaches parents, and works with students of all ages, teaching music and the piano, along with several other instruments. Creative people see the world and every aspect of the world differently from other people. As children we don't know we are doing that. Unfortunately parents think that their child is just being difficult. It wasn't until Catherine was in her 40s that she realized she WAS creative and that that was why she never really 'fit' in with what everyone else was saying or thinking or feeling. Since then she has been taking her experiences and helping others to understand what they are going through.

Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts

Monday, December 27, 2010

The Nutcracker

Some of Tchaikovsky's most popular music is found in "The Nutcracker". I'm sure you have heard of "The Waltz of the Flowers," and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." This ballet's music is of the Romantic Period of music.

Tchaikovsky discovered the celestra in Paris, and used this instrument as the main instruments in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". He wanted the Sugar Plum Fairy to have a 'heavenly sweet sound'. The celestra gave her that sound.

An interesting fact is that the original suite was only 85 minutes long.

The story of "The Nutcracker" revolved around a German girl named Clara. The Ballet opens with a brief overture. By using the upper registers of the orchestra the music set the fairy mood. The curtain opens to reveal the house, where a Christmas Eve party is under way...

Suggestions:
Watch a performance of "The Nutcracker".
Learn to play one of the pieces in this suite.
Read about Pyotr Llyich Tchaikovsky.
Learn about the Romantic Period of music.


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 and Happy New Year!!! *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



Monday, November 22, 2010

The Key of C Major


The key of C Major has a happy sound. All major keys are happy in sound. C Major has no sharps or flats in its key signature. C is the root. The C chord is the most important chord in the Key of C Major. Write out the musical notes from C to C: C D E F G A B C. That is the C Major Scale. To play it on the piano with your right hand you would start with your thumb which is called the first finger, D would get your pointer finger, E would get your third (middle) finger, then you would put your thumb under the third finger and F would get your thumb, followed by your second finger on G, third finger on A, fourth finger (ring finger) on B, and your fifth (pinky) finger on high C.

The next more important chord in the Key of C Major is the G chord. That is because it is 5 notes above the root note. If you know the C and G chords only, you can play over 500 songs! A song usually starts on the root and ends on the root.


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

Monday, November 8, 2010


Discovery Page


The most accepted story of the first Thanksgiving is that Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts in 1621.

Find out the answer to these questions and then see how many of your family and friends know the answers. (The answers are at the bottom of this blog.)

1. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, what is the largest pumpkin pie ever baked?

2. The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in what year and in what city?

3. In what year did Congress (USA) finally make Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday?

Thought for the day: Do you think that music was played at the first Thanksgiving Feast? If so, what musical instruments did they use and what did the music sound like?

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!!!

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


Answers:
1. The pumpking pie weighed 2,020 pounds and was just over 12 feet long.
2. The years was 1924 and it took place in New York City.
3. 1941.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Preschoolers, Toddlers, and Babies

Did you walk that steady beat last month? If not, go back and walk to the music that I have posted there for you. That beat that you are walking is the quarter note. It looks like this:
Practice drawing the quarter note and coloring it in.

Here is an art project for you to do. On a plain white piece of paper trace around your hand. If you hold your hand with your thumb out and fingers seperated it looks like a turkey. *smiles* Number your fingers. Your thumb is number one, pointer is number two, tall man is number three, ring man is number four, and pinky is number five. This is the fingering that you use when you play the piano. *smiles* After you have numbered the fingers on the page, color your turkey.


If you have a question about music that you would like to ask me, 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


Monday, October 18, 2010

Questions and Answers

1. What is important in music lessons?
The student and teacher should have a rapport with each other. It is very important that the teacher teaches note reading, fingering, counting, music theory, and ear training. All these are important basics. Unfortunately, not all teachers teach these things.

2. What make music sound scary?
Most scary music is in a minor key. The next step to making music sound scary is to make sudden changes in the dynamics of the music. Also unusual instruments can be used. Create unfamiliar sounds. This confuses our senses and makes us 'scared'.

Something Musical to do: Write lyrics that would fit the Thanksgiving theme. The lyrics should be sung to a tune everyone know such as, "Mary Had A Little Lamb" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". Submit your lyrics to: Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com

During the month of November I'll post some of your lyrics on my blog.

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


Tuesday, October 12, 2010


Discovery Page: "Halloween"

Find out the answer to these questions and then see how many of your family and friends know the answers. (The answers are at the bottom of this blog.)

1. The term Halloween is the shortened form of what?

2. True or False. Halloween has its origin in an ancient Celtic Festival.

3. True or False. The Festival of Samhain was a celebration of the end of the harvest.



Discover the Composer In You

Write a SCARY song for Halloween. The musical alphabet is A, B, C, D, E, F, G. So put those letters in any order on a piece of paper. Then decide if they should each be a fast, slow, or an in-between duration. The fast note would be the quarter note, the slow note would be the whole note, and the in-between note would be the half note. Then send your song to me. I'll put a few of the songs up on my blog during the month of October.

Here is a not so scary Halloween song to listen to. (click here to listen) This song is played on a pipe organ.

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

Answers:
1. All Hallow's evening or the eve of All Hallow's Day, which is also known as the eve of All Saint's Day.
2. True. The festival is Samhain.
3. True.



Monday, October 4, 2010

Preschoolers, Toddlers, and Babies

This week, walk the steady beat. Remember in most songs the steady beat is the quarter note.
You can also get out your pots and pans band out and play the steady beat with that.

Clap the steady beat.

Click here for a song I wrote for you so that you can clap, play, or walk along with.

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 and Two
Marches

The Frog Prince
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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

Monday, September 27, 2010

A Bit About the History of:
Musical Instruments


Listen to a variety of different types of music from different eras of time and from different countries. Keep notes so that you can compare the music as you take this journey through music.

Even back in the prehistoric times people had music. It was very simple and had many uses. Early instruments were made from materials readily availabe in nature. Can you think of any instruments you could make that might have been used by prehistoric people?






In tombs in Persia, China, the pryamids or Egypt and other places, musical instruments were buried with the dead. Some of these instruments can still be played. We can actually hear the sounds that were made as long ago as 4,000 years.

Don't harps look a lot like bows? At first harps were made from bows by adding strings.

Pythagoras, a famous Greek scientist, related the pitch of a note to the length of the string.


Find other instrument families that started with early mankind. Write about them and send your writing to me. You might find your article on my blog or website. Wouldn't that be fun to see your name in print?

Have a musical day!
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

The Frog Prince - NEW
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

Monday, September 20, 2010

Questions and Answers

1. What is important in music lessons?
The student and teacher should have a rapport with each other. It is very important that the teacher teaches note reading, fingering, counting, music theory, and ear training. All these are important basics. Unfortunately not all teachers teach these things.

2. What makes music sound scary?
Most scary music is in a minor key. The next stop to making music sound scary is to make sudden changes in the dynamics of the music. Also unusual musical instruments can be used. Create unfamiliar sounds. This confuses our senses and makes us 'scared'.





Something musical to do:
Any age can enter. Write a scary Halloween Song. Email your song to me. We'll put it on the blog as an mp3 for the month of October. If you can't make an mp3, I'll make it for you.

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 the journey we will work and learn together." - Catherine

Books and CDs include:
Impressions One and Two
Marches
The Frog Prince

CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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




Monday, September 13, 2010

Discovery Page

Composers Births

September 1, 1653: Composer Johann Pachelbel was born.

September 26, 1898: George Gershwin is born.

September 13, 1819: Composer Clara Schumann was born. Listen to Clara Schumann's composition Opus 10, Scherzo. (Click here to listen)

Enjoy listening to Clara Schumann composition.

"Clara Schumann, wife of Robert, was a child prodigy who, after her husband's death, became one of the most famous performers and teachers in the 19th century. Her compositions are extremely well crafted and show great individuality as well as the influence of her husband Robert and friend Johannes Brahms". ~ Mary K. Scanlan, All Music Guide
Thank you Mary K. Scanlan for that information.

Topping the Charts

September 19, 1960: Today the song "The Twist" by Chubby Checker topped the charts and stayed there for a week. (1960)

Find the song "The Twist" and twist to it. Enjoy!!!

September 19, 1970: Today the song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks. (1970)


Events from past Septembers

1908: The first stereo advertisement, for an Edison Phonograph, appears in the Saturday Evening Post.

Enjoy drawing a picture of the first phonograph!!!

1957: The musical "West Side Story", debuts on Broadway. This is the story of "Romeo and Juliet" but set in New York City with gang members.

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 and Two
Marches


CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

Website: http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
Blog: http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com
Profile: http://www.shoutlife.com/ClassyKeys

Monday, September 6, 2010

Preschoolers, Toddlers, and Babies

Remember the quarter note? It's usually that steady beat that we hear in music and dance to. It looks like this:

It gets one count or beat. We are using the words count or beat interchangeably here. Remember to count steady. Don't change the speed of your counting once you start.

Click here to count with me, then we will clap as we count, then we will add a rhythm to clap and count with.

Practice counting and clapping during the week. You can come back here and clap and count with me or you can clap to music you have at home. Also practice drawing quarter notes on black white paper.

Enjoy and have a Musical Week! *smiles*

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

Monday, August 30, 2010

This week I'm interviewing
Will Angelo
of Rebel Rock



Will's Short Bio:

I was born in Greensboro, NC, raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. I have four generations of my family in Daytona Beach. I went to South Daytona Elementary where I would meet friends I would know all of my life. Middle school I went to Campbell whereI was introduced to freestyle hip hop and the rest is history. I went to Atlantic High for High School, Novell for college. Shortly after I met my beautiful wife, Michelle. She's a big support for my music and now I work at a music store where we talk music all day. I get new inspirations that way.

I asked Will some questions that I thought you would want to know the answers to. Here's our interview:


1. Did you write and play music as a child? I played drums and guitar.

2. What musical instrument do you currently play? I play drums.

3. Please tell us what got you started doing artwork and music both. My dad got me started in music and my brother got me started in art.

4. Please walk me through your song writing process. Everyone has a different way of doing it. It starts with poetry and a love for music lyrics. So I start with a topic and maybe one or two words, then let my mind go blank. Then start writing (editing after) there has to be a strong passion, or you're wasting your time, it also doesn't hurt for outside influence (never turn down a good idea).

5. What is your favorite song that you have written and why is it your favorite? Honestly I don't have a favorite song that I've written but if I had to pick it would be a breakup song called "Holding On". Mainly because it flows nicely and it is very emotionally true.

6. What is your favorite artwork you have done and why is it your favorite? Anything with skulls in it or graffitti, I go into great detail with them and it's fun for me.

7. Tell us about your most memorable stage moment. The very first show I did in a small coffee/bar on an open mic. I was asked to perform, I was very nervous but after I got on stage nerves went away and I had a great time. After everyone came and shook my hand in congrats, then on I knew it was offical.

8. Do you have advice for others who perform? Yes, know your song, no matter how routine, do it live in front of family/friends to build confidence. As a friend told me, "Have fun with it".

9. What are you working on right now? Rebel Rock is my new group. We just got a real studio thanks to JG Productions. We are working our first album. It should be out in the fall.

10. Do you belong to a band? Yes.

11. Please tell us about what it is like to play in a band. Well it can be difficult everyone has an opinion and you know what they say it's best to keep your mind open and respect everyone.

12. What do you do for fun? Hang with friends, family, and also my music and art which are a release from this world.

13. What is the most important thing to you? Family and my music.

Thank You Will! Keep on making music!

Monday, August 23, 2010


A Bit About Band

In middle school, high school, and sometimes elementary school a student gets the opportunity to sing in a chorus or learn a band instrument. Many schools work with local music stores to bring rental instruments to students wanting to learn about musical instruments.

Your parents should expect you to learn the basic elements of music. This includes the how to read, write, and interpret music. Listen to all types of music. This way you get an appreciation for the qualities of music. This will also make you better at your chosen musical instrument.

In June we talked about the woodwind family. Today we'll talk about the brass family.

Brass instruments are lip-vibrated instruments. Sound is produced by vibrations of air in a resonator and the vibration of the player's lips.

Brass instruments generally come in one of two groups: Valved and Slide. There are other groups in the brass instruments but they are not used much anymore.

Instruments in the Brass Family are Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Tuba. Can you think of any other brass instrument?

Which brass instrument is this?

Thank you KarensWhimsy for the use of thispicture. http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/

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 and Two
Marches
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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






Monday, August 9, 2010


Discovery:

The month of August was named by the Romans. It was named after their Emperor Augustus Caesar. This took place eight years before Jesus was born.


1. Francis Scott Key was born August 1, 1770. What famous song did he write?

2. The phonograph was invented August 12, 1877. Who was the inventor?

3. Leonard Bernstein, American composer, conductor, and pianist was born in August. What was the date?

(The answers are at the bottom of the page)


Interesting fact: Virgina Dare, first English child born in America, born August 18, 1587.
Interesting fact: Annie Oakley, sharpshooter, born August 13, 1860.


Take time to look up more about Francis Scott Key, the first phonographs, or Leonard Bernstein. You'll find some very interesting facts.

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 and Two
Marches
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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


Answers:
1. The Star Bangled Banner
2. Thomas Edison
3. August 25, 1918



Monday, August 2, 2010


Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Music can be loud (f) or quiet (p). Have your young one tell you some things that are quiet and some things that are loud. Example: a baby sleeping would be something quiet. A drum being hit hard would be loud. Talk a little each day about loud and quiet. Remember this is not to be confused with high and low pitches in music.

Here is a drum that your young one can color:


My thanks to coloring-pages-kids.com This is a wonderful drum to color.

If you have a question you would like answered about 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 and Two
Marches
CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Elements of Music

In music there are 3 basic elements. They are melody, rhythm, and harmony.

The melody is that part of the song that people will usually sing. Some call it the tune or the song.

The melody needs the rhythm to be recognized. When you move to the music, you are moving to the beat, or rhythm of the song.

The harmony is all the musical notes that you are hearing around the melody. Sometimes this part is also sung.

All music regardless of the style is based on these three elements. Think about pop, rock, hip-hop, and heavy metal. What do they all have in common? They all have a melody, rhythm, and harmony. Listen to your favorite song. Hear where the three basic elements of music are found in that song.

Enjoy!!! *smiles*

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/


Monday, July 19, 2010


Questions and Answers


1. What do you think is important for music teachers to teach?
Whether it be in a classroom or in individual private lessons, it is important for the students to learn how to hear the music (ear training), see the music (learn to read music), and feel the music (dynamics) and compose music. It is also important to learn how to count the music, because without counting others will not recognize the song and also you can not play with a group. And correct fingering on any musical instrument gives control, easy movement, smoothness of sound, and confidence in the students playing of the musical instrument.

2. Where did country music come from, what started it?
Country Music came from what was called Old Time Music. Over 300 years ago, immigrants brought their musical instruments to the New World. The Irish brought their fiddles, the Germans the dulcimer, the Italians the mandolin, the Spanish the guitar, and the West Africans brought the banjo. These were the most common instruments in the original Old Time Music. Country Music is considered a southern music movement, but it was a combination musical traditions of all the different ethnic groups playing together.

Just a reminder that you are never too old to learn a musical instrument. Here is a blog about the Good Samaritan Handbell Choir that I teach:

Good Samaritan Handbell Choir Show
July 15, 2010.

What an awesome group of people that are learning to play the handbells! Eunice plays middle "C" with a lot of heart. She can even play it as she scratches her ankle. Wilma May works very hard making "D" ring loud an clear. Mrs C. plays "E". She speaks no English, yet she knows when it is her turn to play. Bessie plays "F". Bessie has always wanted to play music and learn to read music. The group agrees they should learn to read music, so they are learning the note names and the values of each note.

Katherine is our very solid "G". It is very important to her to be at every practice. She is very diligent. "A" is what Delia plays. She brings smiles with her to class. Erlene plays "B". She loves music, she loves learning, and she thinks being in the handbell choir is very interesting. Fay plays "C" or whatever other bell we need. She is our pinch hitter for the bell choir. Fred reminds me he is hard of hearing, but he never misses when it is time to play the high "D". Clem was born in Milan, Italy. He loves music. He plays high "E". Donald, who was not feeling well enough to perform is usually our high "F". Ada played the high "D" for the show. She is another one of our pinch hitters.

I am very proud of this group. The youngest is 67 years old and the oldest is 99 years old. Listen to a part of their show by clicking here. This show was called "America".

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

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 and Two
Marches

CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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


Monday, July 12, 2010

Discovery Page:

A percussion instrument produces sound (music) when hit, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by an action which causes vibration.

Answer the Questions:

1. The word percussion comes from which language?
2. True or False. Percussion instruments were the first musical instruments.
3. Can percussion instruments have pitch?
4. Is the piano a percussion instrument?


More Discovery:
Name several percussion instruments. After you have done this, then draw pictures or craft percussion instruments. Another activity would be to write a poem that can be said to a rhythm.
Send your poems with rhythm, and your drawings to me at Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
I'll put some of them on my blog.



Answers:
1. Latin. Percussio is to beat or strike to produce music.
2. False. The voice was the first musical instrument. The first hand-made musical instruments were probably percussion instruments.
3. Yes.
4. Yes, watch the action inside a piano. A hammer strikes the strings to produce the musical sounds.



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, July 5, 2010


Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers


"Music helps with self esteem and self discipline as well as school subjects."

Listen to music with your child everyday!!!

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.

For musical activities to do with your young child go to my website, find the preschool page. http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine

Don't forget about your pots and pans band. If your young one holds their ears and cries, it is probably hurting their ears. Many young children with a good ear for music do not like loud sounds.

If you have a question or questions you would like me to answer please email me at: Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com


Have a musical day!

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

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Woodwind Family

There are four families of instruments in the orchestra. Today we will talk about the woodwind family. This family includes the flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. Originally these instruments were made of wood. Today they are made of wood, plastic, or metal. You play them by blowing air through them. That is how the family got it's name, woodwind.
Woodwinds are either blown as flutes or reeds. With reeds when you blow air through the reed it vibrates, that starts the air in the instruments moving, which creates the sound. Flutes have a hole that the player blows across. The air inside the flute vibrating creates the sound.
Take time to listen to the instruments in this family and decide which sound you like the the best. Also, I have left out a few of the instruments in this family. Can you figure out which ones they are?

This is a bassoon.


If you have a question or questions you would like me to answer please email me at: Catherines.Music.Notes@gmail.com or Music.By.Catherine@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 and Two
Marches

CDs include:
Wedding Bells
Lullabies

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