Monday, April 26, 2010

From Child to Parent

(From child to parent) “If I make up a little song of my own, this creativity is important as a musical experience and to my development as a person.”

-- From Move, Sing, Listen, Play by Donna Wood

When your child makes up his/her own songs, you want to be interested and supportive no matter what it sounds like. Your child may sing in gibberish, he may sing in monotone (all on one note), or he may sing in rhyme or even use the tune of a song that he already knows and create new words (a piggyback song!) Your child is showing you one of his first attempts at the creative process with music, so he needs to hear positive feedback (even if you don’t understand what he is singing.)

A personal example of this scenario happened last year in my son’s preschool classroom. My son, Jack, asked to sing a song in front of the 24 children in his classroom. He told the class that he was singing in Chinese. (My child had not learned Chinese.) When I picked him up that day, his teachers told me what had occurred. Jack seemed very happy that he had been given the opportunity to sing his own song. I was so grateful to his teachers for allowing him to “create” in front of the class without making him feel badly. They didn’t point out that he was singing in made-up syllables. He wasn’t told to sit down because it was time to do something else. Those teachers made him feel valuable. It was a lesson that we could all learn! (How often have we cut our children short because we were in a hurry to get somewhere?) By the way, Jack and I did take some Chinese classes together the following summer…

Sunday, March 14, 2010

10 Reasons Why Your Child Should Take Music!

1. A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test scores, regardless of socioeconomic background.

-- Dr. James Catterall, UCLA.

2. In a 2000 survey, 73 percent of respondents agree that teens who play an instrument are less likely to have discipline problems.

-- Americans Love Making Music - And Value Music Education More Highly Than Ever, American Music Conference, 2000.

3. Students who can perform complex rhythms can also make faster and more precise corrections in many academic and physical situations, according to the Center for Timing, Coordination, and Motor Skills.

-- Rhythm seen as key to music's evolutionary role in human intellectual development, Center for Timing, Coordination, and Motor Skills, 2000.

4. A 1997 study of elementary students in an arts-based program concluded that students' math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased.

-- "Arts Exposure and Class Performance," Phi Delta Kappan, October, 1998.

5. First-grade students who had daily music instruction scored higher on creativity tests than a control group without music instruction.

-- K.L. Wolff, The Effects of General Music Education on the Academic Achievement, Perceptual-Motor Development, Creative Thinking, and School Attendance of First-Grade Children, 1992.

6. In a Scottish study, one group of elementary students received musical training, while another other group received an equal amount of discussion skills training. After six (6) months, the students in the music group achieved a significant increase in reading test scores, while the reading test scores of the discussion skills group did not change.

-- Sheila Douglas and Peter Willatts, Journal of Research in Reading, 1994.

7. According to a 1991 study, students in schools with arts-focused curriculums reported significantly more positive perceptions about their academic abilities than students in a comparison group.

-- Pamela Aschbacher and Joan Herman, The Humanitas Program Evaluation, 1991.

8. Students who are rhythmically skilled also tend to better plan, sequence, and coordinate actions in their daily lives.

-- "Cassily Column," TCAMS Professional Resource Center, 2000.

9. In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels.

-- The Arts Education Partnership, 1999.

10. College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness.

-- Carl Hartman, "Arts May Improve Students' Grades," The Associated Press, October, 1999.

Taken from: www.childrensmusicworkshop.com

Monday, March 8, 2010

I read a fascinating article recently and wanted to share a few quotes from it in support of the idea that children must learn to sing accurately and beautifully before learning to play an instrument!

".playing an instrument does not create musicianship, rather the combined and well-focused activity of the ear, mind, and voice produce musicianship and can be applied to an instrument."

'Free singing without instruments is the most deeply effective way of training musical abilities. We have to educate musicians before bringing up instrumentalists. We should give an instrument to a child only when he can already sing. His ear develops only if his first notions of sound are formed from his own singing and are not connected with any external visible (visual) or hand movement (motoric) motions.'

--Zoltan Kodaly (in Vikar, Folk music and music education, 1969, npn)

'To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading, and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand..'

--Zoltan Kodaly (in Bonis, The selected writings of Zoltan Kodaly, 1964, p. 197);

Material quoted from "Violins and Voices, Eyes and Ears, Folk Songs and Fingers: Applying Kodaly's Principles to String Instrument Pedagogy," by Cynthia Richards and Jerry L. Jaccard found in the magazine, Kodaly Envoy (Winter 2010).

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Parents, don't be afraid to sing to your baby and with your older children! No matter what you think of your voice, your baby will be enchanted by it. Your toddlers and preschoolers will happily sing along without judgement if singing is something that you do together regularly. When I was a child, my father, sister, and I sang together nearly every time we got in the car. I have very fond memories of learning to sing my first round ("White Coral Bells") while riding in the family car.

Nearly every blog I have written gives some sort of reason why music is good for your children, but I think music is good for the adult soul as well. Singing a happy tune really can take your mind off a stressful work or family situation. Turning on the radio and blasting a cool rock tune or even a Beethoven symphony can really relax you and put you at ease. Who among us adults doesn't need some relaxation nowadays?

You don't have to be the greatest singer in the world to enjoy singing. In fact, maybe someone in your childhood told you that you were not very good. (I can only hope that I have not scarred a former student by saying something without thinking, but that's another blog.) My advice is to forget any negative musical experiences you may have had in your past and to start singing with your children TODAY. The more you sing, the stronger your voice will be and the more confident you will feel as you sing. I notice that if I stop singing for a while, my voice becomes weaker and I sing less accurately, and I have had years of musical training! When I sing more, I sound better. It's that simple. So, start singing.and creating those happy childhood memories for your children.

Monday, February 15, 2010

A fun and interesting way to integrate more music into your child's everyday life is to create and sing piggyback songs. These are songs in which new words are set to familiar tunes. Piggyback songs are useful because the tunes have already endured the test of time. You can write simple rhymes describing activities that interest your child. Depending on the age of your child, he will recognize a tune that is familiar to him, even if you change the words. For Valentine's Day this year, I used my 18 month-old son's favorite song, "If You're Happy and You Know It," and instead sang, "If You Love Me and You Know It."

If you love me and you know it, blow a kiss.

If you love me and you know it, blow a kiss.

If you love me and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you love me and you know it, blow a kiss.

(You can also sing "Clap your hands/give a hug/say I love you.")

When I sang the new version of the song, he smiled and showed me that he recognized the song. After some practice, I received my first kiss from him just this week!

In the above example, only a couple of words were changed. You can also write completely new words, taking into account the rhyming pattern and the number of syllables in the original song. An example of this is borrowed from the song, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

Wash, wash, wash your hands.

Play a little game.

Rub and scrub, rub and scrub

Germs go down the drain!

The number of syllables found in each line is similar to the original song. If I had written "Wash, wash, wash your little hands," the flow of the words would not have worked nearly as well with the tune. Also, keep in mind that rhyming is helpful and pleasing to the ear, but not required.

Another example of a piggyback song was created by the needs of a preschool classroom during the winter when many little ones were mildly sick. This one borrows the tune, "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

If you have to cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze,

If you have to cough or sneeze, use your elbow please!

Once the class learned this song, the students were easily reminded by their teachers to cough into their elbows in order to reduce the spread of germs.

I happened upon a wonderful website with many piggyback songs, arranged and organized by topic. If it seems daunting to write your own, you can always "borrow" one from here: www.preschooleducation.com/song.shtml. Happy borrowing!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Parents, have you considered whether your 3 year-old will want to play an instrument someday? Based on my experiences as a high school music educator, you will be thrilled if your child joins the high school band or orchestra. The band and orchestra students typically have higher GPAs compared to the general school population as well as a higher level of self-discipline. Did I mention that colleges look to see whether applicants have successfully participated in a music program throughout high school and are more likely to accept a student who has?

Now, back to your 3 year-old.what can you do to help your child learn to love everything about music? Sing with your child everyday - in the car, on the changing table, while you are making dinner, or standing in line at the grocery store. (You may feel self-conscious at the grocery store, but most people will just be happy that your kid isn't screaming!) Move with your child to music - dance in your living room or take a music class together. (A high-quality music class can teach you more songs to sing with your child at home.) Play instruments with your child. Put on a cool tune and play some rhythm instruments together. (Costco was selling a great-looking Yamaha set this past Christmas. Check out LiveAndLearn.com for more inexpensive, high quality rhythm instruments for children.) Play high-quality music for your children. Try turning on the CD player or iPod instead of the TV. As your child gets older, take her to local concerts so that she learns what it is like to hear live music and to be an audience member. Show your child that you love music, too!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

You might check whether your child is being taught music in his/her public or private elementary school. Some parents with whom I have spoken to recently were surprised to learn that music had been cut this year from their child's elementary program for parts of K-3rd grade. Most of the music programs in our local schools are being funded by the PTA, and so campus by campus, a decision is made each year as to whether ALL children will receive a music education. At times, only one or two grade levels in the early years are chosen to have music class or all of K-3 has music class but for only one-third of the school year.

I understand that economic times are difficult (and I have been told that next year will be worse), but this is unacceptable! All children need to have music class all year long to become well-rounded, highly-functional, artistically-aware adults. If you find out that your child's school is not funding elementary music for everyone, speak up at PTA meetings and say something. Support the Arts in our schools for our children. The schools want to serve the parents as best they can, so tell your principal that you believe that ALL children should be taught on a regular basis by a credentialed music teacher. Save MUSIC in our schools!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Q: My daughter is only eight months old. How can we expect to benefit from a Parent-&-Me Baby Music Class?

-- Mother in Huntington Beach

A: Despite your daughter's tender age, you will both benefit from the experience. First, this class will allow for additional bonding with your child as you will have 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to spend with her that you will both look forward to every week. (No dishes, laundry or phone calls!) This class will also serve as a great resource to help you learn new songs and chants to share with your daughter at home. You will learn them more easily if you practice singing them during the class. The melodies will tend to stick in your mind if you have performed them several times with others before you and your daughter are alone at home. Many music class instructors will provide song sheets with the words or even CDs so that you can practice at home. In the environment of an exploratory music class, you too may get some creative ways to listen to music with your daughter (swaying to the beat, tapping the rhythm on her feet, using scarves or puppets, grooving to a different kind of music that you might not typically listen to, etc.)

You will actually be able to see your child grow cognitively when you take music classes. Here is what you will notice: when you first chant or sing a song, you may notice vague interest or even none. Few babies will look excited the first time they hear a new song. However, once you have chanted or sung that song a number of times (maybe over the course of a week), your child will start to show real interest in it! You might wonder what this looks like...your child may smile, widen her eyes, kick her feet, wave her arms, or even clap her hands. She will show you in some way that she now "knows" the song and will probably try to get you to sing it repeatedly by doing one of the above actions. If you introduce a few new songs each week that you learn in your music class, then you can expand your child's musical repertoire over time, thus increasing her memory and cognitive development. Despite your level of musical training, your child will be delighted with your voice, so don't be afraid to sing during class!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Q: When can my child learn to play an instrument?

-- Mother of a 4 year-old son in Tustin

A: If you look back to my blog entry on August 30, I discussed when a child might be ready to take piano lessons. When a child is able to concentrate at the piano for a 30-minute lesson, shows a strong interest in learning to play the piano, has begun reading, and is independent enough to be willing to practice every day (with your encouragement and guidance), then he/she may be ready to start the piano.

Now regarding other instruments, one needs to consider what is required physically. All of the wind instruments (e.g. trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, etc.) require the player to be able to hold the instrument, move fingers to switch notes, use the muscles around the mouth properly, and to use his/her air to produce the correct sound. Typically, a child is not physically large or strong enough to hold a wind instrument and to play it correctly until at least 8 years old or so. Children are given beginning instruction on wind instruments in the public schools anywhere from 5th to 7th grade. A younger child could begin recorder lessons, and in fact, the recorder is often taught to 3rd graders in school. It is a light instrument that requires a little bit less air. Also, there is a flute with a curved headjoint that makes it physically possible for younger children to play.

A child could in principal learn to play the violin or another string instrument at a young age because these instruments are made in very small sizes. (Wind instruments are made..."one size fits all.") Some children do start as early as 4 years old. A 4 year-old who is prepared to play an instrument is by far the exception, not the norm! Imagine the concentration level and maturity that is required to hold an instrument properly, to use the body efficiently, and to practice regularly. Remember, a child will not show much improvement without regular (daily) practice.

I have spent most of my career teaching children to play wind and string instruments, and I believe that children will be more successful once they show the maturity and desire to play (and practice) for themselves. There is nothing worse than forcing a child to practice or for the practice of an instrument to become a drudgery instead of the fun and enjoyable experience that it should be!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Power of Music

There is an incredible fifth grade choir at Public School 22 in Staten Island, New York. Check out their story which was recently broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered. Just listening to the emotion in the voices of the children who are just 9 and 10 years old is truly inspiring. Even more amazing is the fact that 75% of the children in the choir qualify for the Free Lunch program and a number of them are learning English as a second language. My hat is off to their director, Gregg Breinberg, for inspiring these young minds to believe in something larger than themselves through music.

Besides the PS22 Chorus videos we've embedded above and below, you can also find many more on YouTube! And finally, here's a link to the official PS22 Chorus Blogspot.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Q: When singing with young children, what notes are easiest for them to sing?

-- A grandmother from Irvine

A: Young children most easily sing higher notes, from the D above middle C to the D an octave above. This is called the "head voice." As a woman starts to sing lower, her voice will feel as though it vibrates in her chest (although it actually does not), and this is called the "chest voice." If a song is sung that moves into a woman's chest voice, young children will simply stop singing. They can't sing that low. Their voices have not developed in that range yet. It is easiest for young children to match a woman's head voice. However, young children can also match a man singing in falsetto - a "false" voice. (A great example of a man's falsetto is the high part in the chorus of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight.") .

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Q: How do I know when my preschool child is ready to take piano lessons?

A: I think that the "best" age for starting piano lessons varies quite a bit from child to child. Think about what your child needs to be able to do in order to make your decision. First, your child will need to sit still on a piano bench for close to thirty minutes during each lesson. Your child will need to be able to follow detailed directions as well. Many 5 year-olds will be able to do this but not all. A few 4 year-olds will be mature enough to do this as well.

Second, your child's eyes will need to be able to follow the music - this is called visual tracking. This is a skill he/she will use as he learns to read (books). It is defined as the ability to move your eyes from left to right in an efficient way. Again, learning to read usually happens as children enter school but some children learn ahead of the curve.

Third, to progress on any instrument, your child will need to practice on a daily basis. Is your child ready to practice piano 15-30 minutes per day? You can be there to help remind him/her what to practice, but you don't want to start a daily battle over practicing the piano!

Last, how interested is your child? Pushing a child to learn an instrument too young may decrease the likelihood that he/she will continue to play as he/she gets older. Some children show a really strong interest at a young age while others may need some group music classes to spark an interest in music. Be honest with yourself as to what is most developmentally appropriate for your child.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Material taken from The Irvine World News, Thursday, August 20, 2009 - Starting Children Off on the Right Note, Reported by Tina Kim

Q: What is the Kodaly methodology?

A: It is a teaching philosophy based on several key ideas. Children should be taught music from a young age. Only the finest music should be used, such as folksongs and nursery rhymes from one's culture. Singing is the most important "instrument" for a child to learn first. This methodology encompasses some of the best ideas and techniques for teaching music to children, which were collected by studying music education around the world. Children should experience a concept before a label is given. Preschoolers are taught to tap the rhythm of a song but are not told the word "rhythm" until they enter elementary school.

Q: How is this methodology incorporated into your music lessons (at Bentley Music Academy)?

A: In planning my lessons for my students, I carefully choose high-quality music and sequence the lessons in such a way that my students are set up for success. I have books of folk songs and nursery rhymes from which to choose or sometimes I make up my own songs based on other songs from the Kodaly literature.

Recently, I decided to work with my students on the concept of high vs. low sounds, so I wrote a simple song about butterflies flying 'up high' and then 'down low.' When I sang the words 'up high,' my voice rose and then my voice moved down when I sang 'down low.' I made a butterfly for each child out of household materials, and the children flew them up and down as we sang high and low. We then landed the butterflies on different body parts, such as our noses, which helped the younger ones label body parts and aided all of the children as they worked on their large motor skills and physical coordination. Plus, they thought it was pretty funny to have a butterfly on their nose!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Q: How do I know whether my 3 and a half year-old daughter is musically gifted? No one in either my husband's family nor in mine ever learned to read music or to play an instrument, so it's hard to imagine that my daughter would have musical talent. Would you recommend music classes anyway?

A: Yes, yes, and Yes! Whether or not your daughter is the next Mozart is irrelevant. All young children will benefit from participating in music classes. Music is for everyone, not just the musically gifted! Children who participate in music classes will learn to match pitch, feel rhythm and beat, and learn other musical concepts that they will use later when they begin an instrument or sing in a choir. It is much easier for them to learn these basic concepts at an early age and much more difficult as they get older.

Children will also receive countless non-musical benefits from participating in music classes. Children will improve their physical coordination and become more aware of their bodies through dance and movement to music. Children will increase their ability to speak clearly as well as their pre-reading skills as they sing or chant the words to the songs. It is also documented that children learn increased self-discipline as well as social skills by participating in the activities of the class with their peers. The benefits of music classes to children are many. Here is a link to an interesting study about increased brain development of preschoolers who took music lessons - www.cbc.ca/technology/story.../music-brain.html.

By the way, some of the most successful high school music students I have taught came from families in which the parents did not read music or play an instrument, so there is certainly no way to know at such a young age in what way your daughter might shine. Also, there is much more to becoming a fine musician than simply having talent. One must also be very hard-working and self-disciplined, so I wouldn't place too much emphasis right now on talent. Instead encourage your daughter to participate in a music class where she will grow and develop in a variety of ways while she is having fun learning about music.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Don't forget about the good, old fashioned nursery rhyme! Children love repetition, and singing (and saying) these timeless Mother Goose passages over and over again will help with early reading literacy. Listen to yourself as you read to your child. Does your voice sound almost like a chant with interesting high's and low's that match the rhythm of the words or does your voice sound a bit flat with little attention paid to rhythm and rhyming? Your child will listen more intently, and those important synapses will start to connect as you sing and read in rhythm and rhyme. Here is an interesting link that discusses the benefits of nursery rhymes: www.education.com/.../article/nursery-rhymes/.

A wonderful children's book that would be great practice (although it is not a nursery rhyme) is called, Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins. This book is written so that you can use your voice like a drum. My 1 year-old is still not particularly interested in listening to books, but he will stop what he is doing to hear me chant this one! By the way, this must be a well-loved book judging from the number of kids and adults reading/chanting this book on YouTube..

Monday, August 17, 2009

I wanted to share with any of you who may have a child who has any sort of speech delay that my children's pediatrician recommends enrolling that child in a music class. (I have also seen dramatic improvement from children learning English as a second language.) Music classes will expose a child to rhyming and rhythmic language as well as encourage him/her to chant and sing repeated material. I use lots of props in my lessons so that children understand what we are singing about - I bring a purse to show the kids when we sing, "Lucy Locket lost her pocket" and explain that a pocket is an old term for a purse. We also perform the actions of many songs (e.g. Farmer's Worksong) as well as act out songs that have short storylines (e.g. Wee Willie Winkie). I even teach the children sign language for certain songs (e.g. Thank You for the World So Sweet.) All of these activities encourage increased comprehension and language development. I found this link that provides some additional information on this topic: www.bbc.co.uk/music/.../18mnths_3years/speech.shtml.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Q: My 3 year-old son has just finished your six-week session at Bentley Music Academy and is very enthusiastic about singing. How do I continue to encourage this love of listening to music and singing music at home?

-- A mom in Irvine

A: I would recommend playing some really high-quality children's music for him in the car and at home.

There is lots of great music out there, but you may need to search a little. A CD that I think provides a wide variety of high-quality children's music is The Best of Wee Sing. Wee Sing Halloween is a favorite as well. You can find them at Barnes and Noble or at Amazon - sometimes even at Costco. The Wee Sing series is really good overall, although I think some CDs are better than others.

When you are looking for "high-quality" recordings, I would look for CDs of nursery rhymes which are being sung well by children. I purchased a 75-song collection at Costco once that was so poorly performed that I simply walked back into the store to return it minutes later. Do the children sing together and does it sound pleasant? There is a well-known male children's singer whose CDs are very popular and his songs are catchy. He himself plays guitar and sings well, but sometimes the children accompanying him do not sound very good!

Your child will be able to match his voice most easily with other children's voices, but he will sing better with an adult female's voice than a male's voice. It is hard for a young child to transpose the octave up if the male singer has a deep voice. The most successful male vocal teachers that I know use falsetto (singing above the normal voice range) most of the time when trying to get a small child to imitate them.

Now that you have your great music, pop it into the CD player and sing along, too! Your child will be excited by your enthusiasm, and if he is under the age of 6, will not criticize you no matter how well you sing. (And, by the way, if you do feel insecure about your own voice, vow that you will help your child develop his "first instrument" so that he feels comfortable singing as an adult.)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

This is the beginning of my blog/discussion forum about music education and children. I don't think there is a topic that I enjoy discussing more.other than my two boys, of course! This is something that I care about deeply. Anyone who knows me professionally knows that I can spend hours discussing great teaching techniques, the lack of funding for music programs in the public schools, my interest in the Kodaly methodology, how to get a student to produce a wonderful clarinet sound, etc.

To kick things off, a quick discussion on the benefits of music training at an early age...

When I taught high school band and orchestra, I was amazed by how many students could not tap (or play) on the beat. I began to think that these students were simply unable to feel musical pulse, maybe from birth. However, I have taught few (if any) 3-year olds who can't tap on the beat. From these more recent experiences, I believe that there is a critical period of learning for children starting around age 2 or 3, and I imagine some of my former high school students did not receive enough music training during that critical period.

Check out: www.menc.org/networks/genmus/litarticles.html. You will find some wonderful (short) articles about the benefits seen for children of all ages who take music classes, including the last one at the very bottom of the page about first graders in Minnesota who showed significant gains in reading and math scores after receiving regular Kodaly music instruction. (Yay, Kodaly method!)