Why should your child learn music theory? Here are a few ways that it would help them enormously to make their own music, to learn at least the basics of music theory.
DIY Musical Spinner
Here’s a fun game to play with a DIY spinner to get you started with some musical composition.
Facts about Families of Musical Instruments
When people talk about a musical instrument belonging to a 'family" of instruments, what do they mean? And which instruments belong in those different families? Read on for the answers to these questions.
Why you can’t tell if your child enjoys playing a musical instrument by whether or not they practice by themselves.
If your child is having lessons on a musical instrument but does not practice, are you wondering whether they even like playing? Then this post is for you.
Music with Mr Gray
Meet Mr Gray, the primary music teacher behind the fantastic YouTube channel Music with Mr Gray.
September has arrived, here’s to the next 12 months of Get Kids Into Music.
Hello to you all, both long term readers of this blog and those of you who have started reading more recently. It is lovely to have you here. Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com It is Monday September 5th as I write this blog posting my children have gone back to school and I am... Continue Reading →
Can You Buy Sheet Music From The National Book Chains?
Is it worth going into one of the National Chain book shops if you are looking to buy sheet music? I went into 2 in Birmingham, UK and this is what I found.
Where to Buy Sheet Music Online?
So your child is learning a musical instrument? Where would you go to to buy the sheet music they need? Starting with online retailers I talk about where to go to buy sheet music from.
A History of Music for Children
This #MusicBookReview looks at a brilliant book for children about the history of music. Full of engaging and informative facts about all sorts of music throughout the ages, the authors have written a great, fun book that any music loving child will really enjoy.
Composition Game to Play with your Children
Musical games to play at home. A fun way to get your children to have a go at composition, and to make their own music. Great for homeschool music composition class.
Music Book Review – The Story Orchestra, Four Seasons In One Day by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
A review of Four Seasons In One Day, one of The Story Orchestra series of books that bring famous musical words to life for young children.
Facts about the flute
How much do you know about the flute? Some interesting facts about my favourite wind instrument (the one I play myself).
Living In A Musical House
What are the consequences of children being encouraged to enjoy music? Well yours will never be a quiet home if that is the case. Actually, it is quite fun!
Black History Month – Composers
A tour through music history from the classical period highlighting the music of Black Composers, in celebration of Black History Month.
Singing songs in rounds – a fun way to introduce harmony to your children
Have you seen the viral #GraceKellyChallenge and want to have a go either yourself or with your family. Perhaps you have never tried singing in harmony before and don’t know where to start. Singing a #songinrounds is a great way to start off singing together with other people.
About practice
Why is practice so important for learning a musical instrument? What benefits are there to practising? How can I, as a parent, support my child learning to play a musical instrument? What if I can’t play myself, can I still help with musical instrument practice?
Interesting facts about the violin you need to know
How much do you know about the violin? Here are some fun and interesting facts about the violin.
Music Book Review: I Spy Music Instruments
This music book review looks at the book I Spy Music Instruments which teaches very young children the names of musical instruments by playing the game “I spy with my little eye”
Call And Response Games To Play With Your Children
Playing music games is a great way to pass some time at home, and with the educational benefits of call and response rhythm games. A fun way to teach your child turn taking.
DIY Slide Whistle
I currently have both children at home given the situation in the UK at the moment. My eldest is set work from school which occupies him (and me with cajoling him to get back to it and helping him understand what he is supposed to be doing), but not the whole day. So we are... Continue Reading →
My Favourite Christmas Songs
Christmas songs are everywhere from about mid October to December every year, aren't they? We all have our own festive favourites, and here is a playlist featuring some of my favourite Christmas songs. All of the songs are family friendly, so grab a drink and snack and enjoy these lovely Christmas songs.
Music Book Review: The 12 Engines of Christmas
This Music Book Review is a Thomas the Tank Engine themed re-writing of the classic Christmas song The 12 Days of Christmas.
Our Ukuleles
A quick look at the Ukeleles I got for my 2 children to play, and looking at the difference between one I got as a proper instrument, and one that is more of a toy.
Spotlight on Sensory Scarves
What are sensory scarves and why should you get some to use in musical play?
Spotlight on Sleigh Bells / Jingle Bells
A post shining a spotlight on a festive favourite instrument- sleigh bells. Make music with your children to get you into a festive mood with sleigh bells.
Classical Music for Halloween
Photo by Gabby K on Pexels.com I made some suggestions of songs that could feature on a Halloween playlist in a previous blog post, but it is not just pop songs/soundtracks that are appropriate for the spooky season. While we may or may not play these works at our Halloween party I will certainly be... Continue Reading →
Learning to Listen to Music: What Does This Music Make You Think Of?
Introducing a new series of blog posts: children’s (my children’s) responses to music. Imaginative responses to music
Music Book Review: Welcome to the Symphony
My Music Book Review for today is the sound book Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan and illustrated by James Williamson. It is an exploration of both the instruments that play in a Symphony Orchestra, and also the 5th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven. You almost certainly have heard this symphony before as it... Continue Reading →
Spotlight on Mini Tambourines
Mini tambourines are a good instrument choice for smaller children. They are easier for small children to hold onto, and therefore play independently; and for very small children who mouth objects, enclosed mini tambourines are available, which are much safer for them to use on their own. What Is a Tambourine? Tambourine means little drum,... Continue Reading →
Spotlight on Wooden Sticks
How to learn music with wooden sticks. Developing a sense of musical pulse, motor skills and turn taking with wooden sticks.