This Summer Enhance Music Skills with Special Group Classes!

This Summer Enhance Music Skills with Special Group Classes!

Wednesday mornings 10 am -1 2 pm

Session 1  June 3, 10, 17, 24 : 

Mind Craft  - Play music and music theory based games to craft minds into those of true musicians!

Session 2  July 8, 15, 22, 29: 

Dancing with the Stars!!!  - Music and dance go hand in hand.  We will join the 2 together as we explore rhythm and beat with our whole bodies.  The goal is to learn a new song and dance each week!

Session 3  August 5, 12, 19, 26:

 Musical Ninja Warriors – Train your self to be a composing ninja!  We will break all boundaries by composing and creating original songs and lyrics

Choose any 1 session - $80 per student

Choose any 2 sessions - $155 per student

Choose all 3 sessions - $230 per student

All classes:  minimum 4 students, maximum 10 students!

Sign up now to hold your spot in the classes of your choice!!

Contact: Ms. Tonya (916) 812-2875 www.stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com

Rock - a - Bye Rests - Learn the Names of Musical Rests

Rock-a-Bye Rests

This is another easy song to help children remember the names of the most common musical rests.

Watch the video to learn the song!







Here are the words:

Rock-a-bye Rests

By Tonya Dirksen

Rock-a-bye notes

Its time to rest

We must be silent

While we take a nap

Quarter rest

Half and whole rests too

When we see one of them

Note time is through

Enjoy!

ABC's of Music Practice

26 Ideas to help practicing at home!

Happy New Year!  

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

I am looking forward to a new year of blogging with more fun and creative music ideas.

A lot of parents have been asking me how to get their child to practice their instruments at home.  It is important to have the right expectations especially when dealing with children in the 3-8 year old range.  At this age we need to keep music fun and interesting in order for their love of music to grow and grow.

So to help with music at home, I have come up with 

ABC’s of Music Practice

Appreciate all efforts to sing and play

Believe everyone has some musical ability

Consistency-practice everyday!

Delight in accomplishments – no matter how small

Enjoy yourself and music

Find favorite songs and artists, listen to them and copy what you hear and like

Get the new assignments from your teacher

Have a set practice check list:  Posture, warm-ups, old songs, new songs, and listen everyday

Ignore the moaning-children will moan but don’t listen to it and keep going

Juggling too many after school activities will slow down progress

Kick start your day by practicing before breakfast!

Listen to good examples on CD’s, YouTube and live concerts

Muscles- build music muscles by playing and singing scales, arpeggios and chords

No quitting!  All desirable goals take time and hard work!

Orchestra and opera- listen and dream about playing in the orchestra and singing in an opera

Posture- are you sitting correctly at the piano, holding your violin correctly, 

standing tall for singing?

Qualify for a prize – fill out your practice charts and get a prize!

Relax –don’t hold tension in your shoulders, back or knees

Share your gift of music with others – play at recitals, for the family and at nursing homes

Time – play or sing each song at least 3 times before moving on to the next song.  Practice time for 3-6 year olds will only be 5-15 minutes per instrument.  Older 

children will be able to play longer.

Unite with other musicians- play in recitals and group classes

View lessons – as parents it is important to watch your child’s lessons, at least once 

in a while, so that you can help them at home

Warm-ups are important exercises to build strength in muscles

eXpect mood swings, waning interest, tired days from your children and lighten 

the load for the day but don’t quit!  Good days are just around the corner

You and your children can do it!

Zero in on strengths and weaknesses-Point out where your child is great (good rhythm, good listening skills)!  Some songs require extra practice before they are mastered so just gently encourage playing it one more time!

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Print PDF Version

Enjoy!

Explore Music Camp July 16-20, 2012

This past week we had our first week of Explore Music Camp at our home studio. 
Every day we explored a different instrument, sang songs, played boomwhackers and rhythm sticks and had a lot of fun with music.

We did finger plays, call and response songs and even played with the parachute on Friday!

Monday was Piano Day.
Tuesday was Violin Day.
Wednesday was Ukulele Day.
Thursday was Guitar Day
Friday was Voice Day.

Miss Rachel showed everyone how to rosin the bow so it doesn't slip on the strings.

Then she explained the different parts of the violin including the names of the strings.

She helped everyone get a nice bow position.

Everyone got a chance to play on the instruments each day.  I don't have pictures of every day since I was teaching piano, guitar and voice.  I need to recruit more photographers!

Miss Amanda showed everyone how to play the ukulele, after explaining the different parts of the ukulele.

We did an experiment with different levels of water in glasses.  It was just like playing a xylophone.  The children enjoyed experimenting with the different sounds.

The children also helped me do a video for my Finger Play Fun Day.  They did a great job with 5 Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree.  Be sure to check that out!


We still have 2 more weeks of camps.  Be sure to join us!
July 30-August 3 and August 6 - 10.

Cost:  $50  ($45 if you register early!)

For more information see Explore Music Camps or email Ms. Tonya at stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com

Music Classes and Special Events with Strings, Keys and Melodies

These are the classes we offer at our studio, Strings, Keys, and Melodies.  We believe children learn best while having fun and enjoying themselves. 

Lullabies
Ages Birth - 1 1/2 years

Lullabies is a parent participation class where the parents sing to and engage their baby in melodies and finger plays. We will relearn precious traditional lullabies and finger plays and learn new ones to add to our family collections. Singing songs to baby increases precious bonding, starts language and vocabulary learning and develops gross and fine motor skills.

Wiggles and Giggles
Ages 1 1/2 - 3 years

This class emphasizes fun!
Music involves singing, dancing, listening and play. Singing lyrics increases vocabulary and language skills. Dancing and games are beneficial for spatial development and gross motor skills. Listening to music develops listening and social skills. Making music with instruments develops the brain and thinking skills.
We will learn call and response songs, be introduced to different music genres, use musical instruments to work on rhythms, tones and pitches and play all kinds of musical games all while having fun!

Little Strings, Keys and Melodies
Ages 3-8 years

Music learning is fun! In these group classes children work on: singing, pitches and timing; rhythms and dancing with rhythm instruments and dancing ribbons; as well as beginning musical notation along with beginning instrument instruction. You choose which instrument your child focuses on-piano, violin, voice, ukulele or guitar!

Private Classes
All ages

Private classes are taylored for each individual student. Music is taught in an enjoyable, relaxed way with lots of games to reinforce music notation, rhythm and listening skills. Choose between piano, violin, voice, ukulele and guitar.

Special Events

Birthday Parties, Scout Meetings, One Time Music Classes will include singing, dancing, rhythm instruments, music and parachute games.

Or Customize your Event

Do you have your own idea?
Women's Night out Voice Class
Special Intro to Stringed Instruments
Intro to Classical Concert Music

We'll create a special class for your event!

Ms. Tonya
Strings, Keys and Melodies
(916) 812-2875
stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com

Explore Music Camps in Elk Grove and Sacramento CA

Explore Music Camp

Come join us for a week of exploring music.

Learn musical notes, rhythms, and singing skills.

Explore the piano, violin, ukulele and voice. All in one week!

Summer Camp Classes available:

Wiggles and Giggles (1 ½-3 year olds) M-F 9-9:30am $20/wk

Little Strings, Keys and Melodies (3-8 yr olds)

M-F 9:30-11am or 11am-12:30pm $50/wk

Early registration: Take $5 off when you register early!

Drop ins: $15/day: Please call to insure available space

Camp weeks:

June 18-22, Early registration ends June 1

July 16-20, Early registration ends July 1

July 30-Aug 3, Early registration ends July 1

Aug 6-10, Early registration ends August 1

To register for camp or sign up for on-going classes

Call Ms. Tonya at (916) 812-2875

email: stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com

Sacramento, CA
Call for studio location

How to Play all of "Taka Taka Stop Stop" (Suzuki Twinkle Variation A)

This video will walk you through playing Taka Taka Stop Stop in its entirety. Once you can play the whole song, try playing the same notes with the other Twinkle Variation rhythms.

The notes for the whole song can be divided into three parts.

Part One:

A string, E string, F# (first finger on E), E string

D (3rd finger on A), C# (2nd finger on A), B ( 1st finger on A), A string

Part Two:

E string, D (3rd finger on A), C# (2nd finger on A), B (1st finer on A)

E string, D (3rd finger on A), C# (2nd finger on A), B (1st finger on A)

Part Three:

Same as Part One

Happy Practicing!

How to Play the First Part of "Taka Taka Stop Stop" (Twinkle Variation A)

Taka Taka Stop Stop is the first of Suzuki's Twinkle Variations.  I made this video to show students how to play the first part of the song. All of the variations have the same notes; the only thing that makes them different is that your bow plays a different rhythm on each of the notes.

These are the notes for the first part of the song:

A string, E string, F# (1st finger on E), E string

D (3rd finger on A), C# (2nd finger on A), B (1st finger on A), A string





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The Rhythms of the Suzuki Twinkle Variations

The very first songs Suzuki violin students learn are the Twinkle Variations. The five variations are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star played with  different rhythms. 

Every teacher has their own names for the variations, and I change mine every couple of months, but here are the names I am using right now:

Taka Taka Stop Stop

Apple my Apple (you could substitute "apple" for the student's name)

Run Pony, Run Pony

Strawberry Blueberry

See you Later Alligator

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Here is a video I made that shows how to play the rhythms of the five variations on the "A" and "E"strings.

Beginning students can watch this and then practice the rhythms on their open strings.



How to Stand in Playing and Rest Position

Good posture is extremely important when playing violin.

This video shows beginning students how to stand in both"rest" and "playing" position.

Parents of beginners can use this video when helping their student practice.  I usually make charts for students to stand on that show where their feet go in both of these positions. Make sure your student is standing up straight and has relaxed shoulders!

Happy Practicing!

How to Get a Good Beginner's Bow Position

I teach a lot of young beginner violin students.  I'm talking 3, 4, and 5 years old!

Parents need to help these little ones hold their bows correctly when they practice at home.  This video shows beginning violin students how to make a bow position. 

Make sure at the end to have a bent thumb and a curved pinky! 

Remember to have fun!