Benefits of Music Education

What are the benefits of music education?  Besides being really fun, music is a great brain booster by helping to develop areas of the brain associated with language and reasoning.  Music also helps develop the ability to think creatively and to solve problems.  Those involved in music also tend to do better on standardized testing.  (To read more benefits of music click here.)

Sample Class March 21st 7-8

I will be holding a sample class for all interested in previewing what Let's Play Music is.  If you, or a friend are interested in attending this class, please contact me directly.  (letsplaymusicwithemily@gmail.com)

Online Registration for 2013-2014 Classes

With kindergarten and preschool registration starting up, that means it is time for us to also be thinking about fall registration for Let's Play Music and Sound Beginnings.  I'm proud to say that online registration is now available at the following links.

Sound Beginnings "BLACK SPIDERS" Semester:
 http://fs11.formsite.com/lmpemilyr/form10/index.html

LPM Red Balloons/Blue Bugs (First Year Classes):
 http://fs11.formsite.com/lmpemilyr/form7/index.html

LPM Green Turtle Shells/Yellow Arrows (Second Year Classes): http://fs11.formsite.com/lmpemilyr/form9/index.html

Truly A Sound Beginning

Sure singing and playing with our kids is fun, and we feel good about it, but what does it do for our kids?  And what can babies actually learn?The National Association for the Education of Young Children, which exists to advocate and educate for young children, says babies benefit more than we think!  Click below to read on:

http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/10-ways-babies-learn-when-we-sing-them

Benefits of Early Music Education

Since you are reading this, you are one who won't be surprised to know the benefits of music at an early age. But, did you know that those benefits stretch beyond the years of early childhood?  Click to read more...

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/early-music-lessons-have-longtime-benefits/

Helps for Keeping a Steady Beat

When children practice, especially as things get easier, the tendency is to get faster and faster until they've raced through the song.  Speed racing is never a good thing when it comes to practicing :)  As the rhythms are introduced with the bugs, the tempo can really vary depending on how well their hands are able to clap them.  In second year students are introduced to the metronome.

One sure way to help them feel the beat and start internalizing it along with the "BUGS" is to use a metronome.   In LPM we sometimes refer to it as the "BEAT BUG., or TICK TOCK"  Metronomes are an invaluable tool when learning music and the sooner students are exposed to one, the easier it is for them to practice with one. They can be inexpensively purchased at local music stores or online and are great to have in preparation for learning the piano starting next semester.  However, if you aren't able to get a metronome there are some great apps and online tools.

For iPod search the app store under the music category and there are several to choose from.

For those who want an online metronome try this website:  http://www.webmetronome.com/

When practicing with a metronome it is a good idea to start slower then work your way up.  For clapping our bug rhythms I would start at about a walking tempo, around 60 beats per minute, then work your way faster when your child can easily clap all the rhythms at that speed.

Happy Practicing!

Sound Beginnings - Shapes Coloring Page Link

This semester in Sound Beginnings we are exploring shapes.  As I was browsing the web, I found some awesome shape coloring pages that you could use in addition to our weekly "assignment."  Great for cutting out and making faces just like we did in class.

Crayola Shapes Coloring Pages
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