FAQ About the Extra Special Summer Classes and Why Our Students Should Be a Part of It All!

This Summer, we will be holding some pretty special Summer Classes that all of our students should attend!

During our regular half hour lessons, we learn to play music games, do ear training, practice rhythms, go over musical symbols, learn new scales and arpeggios, review old songs, learn new songs, compose.....We cover so much!  

But to help everyone really grasp these important concepts, we are going to spend time this summer practicing music theory concepts, rhythms and beats, and composing in fun, exciting ways.  And the best part...We are going to do it together with our friends!

FAQ # 1  Will there still be regular music lessons?

Yes!  Rachel and I will still be teaching our regular lessons throughout the summer.  These classes are in addition to our regular lessons.

#2 What will the classes cover?

In June, we will be teaching the class Mind Craft, which will focus on playing music theory, ear training, note reading and rhythm games to help us really remember all of those important concepts.  Everyone could use practice reading notes!

In July, we will be Dancing with the Stars!  This class will focus on exploring music with our whole bodies as we do choreographed dances to current pop songs as well as a few classical pieces.  We will learn a new dance routine at each class.  This will help our students grasp rhythm and beat which is extremely important for musicians!!

In August, we will be Musical Ninja Warriors as we train ourselves to compose and create original songs and lyrics.  Every creative musician needs to explore creating new sounds and combinations of tones and rhythms.  

#3 When will these classes be held?

Every Wednesday morning from 10 am to 12 pm in June, July and August.

#4 What is the tuition?

Well, the more classes that you sign up for the more you save!

1 session is $80 per student

Choose any 2 sessions and it is $155 per student

Choose all 3 sessions and the tuition is $230 per student.

Remember this is for 2 hours of musical instruction every week!

#5 Can we invite our friends and family?

Yes, definitely!  These classes are intended for students up to about 12 years old. No prior musical experience necessary.  Please tell your friends and family about these classes!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Tonya

Water & Music

Water & Music

This summer we have played a lot with water while the weather is hot.  Besides cooling us off, water is a natural source of music!  It makes the prettiest sounds when it splashes and trickles.


Water Music
One of my favorite pieces of music is Water Music by George Frideric Handel.   Handel wrote Water Music in 1717 for 50 musicians to play for King George I and guests while floating down the River Thames.  It is a lovely piece.  I like to watch it performed by the English Baroque Festival as performers dressed in the style of the day dance in Baroque style.

Water Wall
A fun way to experiment with water and sound is to make a water wall.

Water Wall

We made holes in a bunch of plastic containers and bottles and zip tied them to an old piece of frame we had left over.  We also used funnels and swimming noodles to make curves.  It took some time to line up the holes and containers so that the water would drip into the bottom container instead of onto the ground.

We loved how the water flowed through one container into another.  And it made the most beautiful sounds!





This is my favorite part of the the water wall.  We put a bunch of holes in the lid of a plastic jar and it would flow into another container. 
This activity taught about the sounds water made plus a lot of engineering principles!

Water Xylophone
A great way to play with water is to make a water xylophone.  Fill a bunch of glasses with varying amounts of water.  We put food coloring in ours to make it pretty.

Take a metal spoon and tap on the glasses.  The different levels of water will make the glasses have a different tone.  You can keep them all mixed up or you can put them in order from highest to lowest.  The girls made up all kinds of songs with the xylophone.  It is a really interesting and absorbing experiment.

Relaxation

There is nothing as relaxing as the sound of water. 





Just imagine the ocean's waves crashing on the beach or a mountain stream trickling through the forest.  It is natural music made by water!

Enjoy!



Bird Songs and Nature - Healthy for You and Your Mind!

Every weekend for the last few months,  my family and I have been visiting with wildlife in the middle of a beautiful preserve. There are so many wild flowers and trees. The whole walk/hike is serenaded by wild birds singing their signature songs. It is so pretty and so relaxing to be out in nature- even with 2 children who don't know the meaning of relax! The trails are just right for little ones and beginning hikers, even limited walkers could enjoy shortened trails. And we get to hear birds singing!

Enjoying the wildflowers

The place we have been going to is the Cosumnes River Preserve. If it is not close to where you live, then I would challenge you to find a bike trail or hiking trail near your home that gets you out into nature. We all need to get away from the noise of our neighborhoods and listen to the quiet! It is so healthy for you!

The other night, I was reading a chapter in The Power of Music by Elena Mannes that spoke about what happens to our brains when we hear birdsongs. Studies have been done to analyze brain activity when subjects listen to human song and to birdsong. She explains "the scans showed the listeners showed more emotion when they heard birdsong as compared to listening to beautfiul songs sung by a human voice. "

Walking the trail

Later she writes, "One possible explanation for the increased brain activity when subjects listened to birdsong is that they were trying to find the patterns in the birdsong: human song is more familiar."

I knew we were more relaxed and happy after an afternoon of listening to birds singing. But now, it is possible that we were also stimulating our brains while listening to the music of nature!

Looking at pretty flowers

By stimulating our brains, we are staying mentally healthy. Making new neurological pathways is always a great idea.

I want to challenge you this summer to find a place in nature for your family to enjoy. You can find an easy hike like we did, go to a quiet lake or pond in a park. Get away from the loud noises of city life and hear the birds!

Carolyn, at Wise Owl Factory has made a wonderful Nature Walk checklist and a Bird checklist.  Print them out and take them with you to add to the fun!

Free Bird Walk Pages

                        Nature Walk Take Along

I was so amazed at all the different birdsongs, I made a short video. If you can't see the video, click here.

We were amazed today to see a coyote playing with something in the grass!  We watched for about 5 minutes before he heard us and took off running.  It was awesome to see!

Coyote in the Grass

For another nature idea please read Take a Nature Sound Walk.

Fun with Music Series - 5 Classic Musical Games

5 Classic Musical Games

Welcome to our Fun with Music Series.

I have had a great time writing this series through the month of July with Angelique Felix at angeliquefelix.com. 

We have written posts all month long to help you play with music.

Today I am going to remind you of 5 classic musical games that children love to play.

Children love to play simple games that they know the rules to and can easily play.  But they also love a little twist to spice things up a bit. 

1.  London Bridge

Children love forming a bridge and going under each others arms.  The twist:  in this version the bridge keeps getting lower at each new verse so the ones going under have to crawl and wiggle their way under the bridge.  Watch the video to see a variation to the classic London Bridge.

Trouble seeing the video?  Click here.



2.    Musical Chairs

For this game you need to set up chairs in a circle for everyone minus one.  Play some fun music as the children walk around the circle of chairs.  When you stop the music all the children need to sit down in a chair.  Since there is not enough chairs, one child will be left standing.  Now for the twist- ask the child a question.  This question can be about music theory or any subject you are studying.  If the child answers the question correctly than she can go back into the game!

3.  Freeze Dance

This game is similar to Musical Chairs since the children have to listen for the music to start and stop.  Play some great dance music and have the children dance or hop around.  Stop the music without warning.  The children have to stop dancing when the music stops.  The twist:  call out different type dances for the children such as Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Break Dance.

4.  The Farmer in the Dell

Stand in a large circle holding hands.  Begin singing the song:

The farmer in the dell,

The farmer in the dell,

Hi-ho the dairy-o,

The farmer in the dell.

Pick a child to be the farmer and she gets to stand in the middle of the circle.  Then sing:

The farmer picks a wife,

The farmer picks a wife,

Hi-ho the dairy-o,

The farmer picks a wife.

The child/farmer gets to choose someone to be the wife.  Then the wife and farmer stand together in the circle.

The rest of the verses are:

The wife picks a child.

The child picks a nurse.

The nurse picks a dog.

The dog picks a cat.

The cat picks a rat.

The rat picks the cheese.

The cheese stands alone.

Each child picked gets to pick the next child.

The twist:  Use the animals from a different story such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

The order of animals for Brown Bear:

Brown Bear,

Red Bird,

Yellow Duck,

Blue Horse,

Green Frog,

Purple Cat,

White Dog,

Black Sheep,

Gold Fish,

Teacher

Children

5.  Ring Around the Rosie

Hold hands and walk in a circle while singing this song.  Then everyone falls to the ground when you get to that part in the song.  Children love holding hands with their friends and being a part of the circle!

In case you don't know the words:

Ring around the rosie,

A pocket full of posies,

Ashes, Ashes,

We all fall down.

The twist:  Think of different movements to do in place of falling down.

Ideas:  Jump up

Skip around

Hop on one foot

Clap our hands

Give a hug

Benefits of playing classic musical games:

Children get to socialize with friends.

Children learn to be part of a group.

Children learn to work together and act out a story especially in The Farmer and the Dell and London Bridge.

Games are a great way to be active and get moving.

Everyone has fun!

Visit the other Fun with Music articles!

Introduction

Sing with Your Child

Classical Music and Creative Art Project

Kid-Made Instruments and the Great Outdoors.

The title picture was created using artwork by Trina Clark at www.digiscrapkits.com



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

Fun with Music Series Summer 2012

In the science community there is the big question:  "Which came first, language or music?"

There have been studies done tracking the cries of babies and they have found that babies cry at musical intervals.  There is also a universal singing/call that all children around the world use to call for "mommy".  Plus, there is the universal sing-song children use when teasing one another - "na-na-na na-na".

Music comes very naturally to children.  As parents and teachers, we need to help them develop their musical instincts and abilities.  We can do this in a fun, playful way while everyone is having a great time.

This July, I have teamed up with Angelique Felix at angeliquefelix.com to bring you a series called "Fun with Music." Angelique is a play expert and has some wonderful ideas on playing with children and music.  Read her first Fun with Music post.  I love music and believe the best learning comes through play.  This series will be all about playing with music!  Each week we will both bring you musical ways to play with your children.

Week 1 will have ideas on singing with children and helping them boost their creativity to create their own songs.

Week 2 will be about combining drawing and painting with music.

Week 3 will have ideas on making musical instruments at home!

Week 3 will be all about musical games.

Music is relaxing and stimulating!  Everyone can make and enjoy music.  It is a wonderful way for families to connect.  I have written many family music ideas in the past.

Dance of the Butterfly  

Dancing - One Body Part at a Time 

Write a Song with Your Child

High and Low Sounds:  Melt like a Snowman, Grow like a Flower

Visit the other Fun with Music articles!

Introduction

Sing with Your Child

Classical Music and Creative Art Project

Kid-Made Instruments and the Great Outdoors.

5 Classic Musical Games

We had Fun at our Free Fun Music Day at Strings, Keys, and Melodies!

We sure had fun on Saturday, June 16 when Strings, Keys, and Melodies held Free Fun Music Day!

There was singing, rhythm sticks, dancing ribbons, boomwhackers and a water music experiment. 

We are holding several weeks of Explore Music Camp this summer and would love to have you join us! 

Guest Post on Ready. Set. Read!

This week I wrote a post for Ready. Set. Read!,a great blog written by Jackie, a reading specialist turned SAHM who shares tips and tricks for turning children into readers.   

Jackie has been writing a series titled Road Trip Reading and she came up with this great idea to include some music ideas for those long summer road trips.  And that's where I come in! 

Check out my ideas at Road Trip Music for Kids!  The ideas include the classic Peter and the Wolf and The Carnival of the Animals.

Summertime! Summertime! Sum, Sum, Summertime!

This summer, we have a lot of fun things planned here at Strings, Keys, and Melodies.

First up is:

Free Fun Music Day

• When:
  Saturday, June 16 from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

We are hosting a Free Music Day for all kids!
We love music and we want to share that love in a fun exciting way. Come experience singing and moving, rhythm instruments, games, boomwhackers, violins, guitars, piano, ukulele and more!
9:30-10:30am Under 3 years olds
10:30-11:30am 3 to 8 year olds
11:30-12:30am 3 to 8 year olds
1-2am 9 years and older
Please extend this invitation to anyone you think would enjoy playing with us. This fun day is completely free with no obligations in any way. We just want to play with your kids!
Please RSVP for which time you will be joining us by emailing at stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com


Explore Music Camps

We are still taking registrations for our 4 different weeks of summer camp.  Each day, we will explore a different instrument - piano, voice, violin, ukulele and guitar!  Check out the different times for different ages more details here at Music Camps.

Summer Series:  Fun with Music

Be sure to check out our series this summer on ways to have fun with music.  We will be teaming up with Angelique Felix from AngeliqueFelix.com The Magic of Play who is an early experience expert in Italy and the Netherlands.  We will be having some great play ideas for your whole family!

Summertime Learning eBook
Hot off the presses!  The we teach summertime learning eBook 2012 is HERE!

And Strings, Keys, and Melodies has been featured in it!  Check out our "Take a Nature Sound Walk" on page 51.

      The 2012 eBook features:

• over 30 ideas for summer learning created by 'we teach' members
• unique, creative craft ideas
• cooking ideas with ready-to-use recipes
• literacy ideas for all ages
• hands-on math ideas
• totally cool science ideas and experiments
• focused play ideas, indoors and out
• considerations for taking learning a step further
• bonus pages and resources--including songs
• an additional 25-page downloadable game
• links to all sites, blogs, and activities!

The ebook is free to all members of weteach, which is a free forum for anyone!  Go to  weteachgroup.com for videos, photos, forum chats, and all the support you need to make learning--any time--fun for everyone. And make this summer a memorable one for you and your family!

Once on the site, all you need to do is click on the summertime learning eBook to enlarge it. Then up at the top center of the screen, next to the four tiny boxes is the 'download' icon.  That should allow you to download the eBook to your desktop!

Looking forward to having fun with you this summer!