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.
Music Book Review: The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle
Music book review, The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle. A review of this book by David Litchfield. This is a lovely story about music and friendship.
Music Book Review: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
A review of the book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and its musical qualities.
Animals in classical music
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I have previously put together a playlist of children's songs that have animals as their subject matter. Animals are not only a good subject for children's songs, but also provide great subject matter for composers of classical music. Here are some classical music pieces that feature animals as their subject.... Continue Reading →
Animals in Children’s Songs
A children’s music playlist-songs about animals.
Back to school
The children are back at school and now it is time to get back to normality! Well some normality at least.
Classical Music for Autumn/Fall Playlist
Playlist: classical music written about and for Autumn or Fall
Songs for Halloween
Halloween is a celebration that has been growing in popularity over the years. In our little community we have had a lovely tradition each year where most of the houses in the streets near us decorate the front of their houses, and on one Sunday afternoon near to Halloween all of the families who want... Continue Reading →
Ukulele Challenge Update Weeks 5-7
An update to our learn to play ukulele challenge.
Lullabies I Have Sung To My Children
Babies love the sound of their parents’ voices more than any one else’s voice. Singing babies to sleep is such a lovely way to end the day. Here are some songs I sang to my children to try to get them to sleep.
Making DIY Castanets
Learn how to make your own homemade pair of castanets from items you already have at home.
Spotlight on glockenspiel
A spotlight on the glockenspiel. A first musical instrument for children in the tuned percussion family.
Ukulele Challenge Week 3
This week’s ukulele challenge update. Discussing my 6 year old son’s progress learning to play ukulele.
Spotlight on tambourine
Spotlight on tambourine, a great first percussion instrument. What is a tambourine and how to play it
Music Book Review: Debi Gilori’s Nursery Rhymes
When I first had my son, my eldest, was home from the hospital,everyone had been to visit and we found ourselves alone for the first time, I thought I would sing to him. I was a musician and had spent a lot of time at school and Uni singing so I must know what to... Continue Reading →
Music Book Review: Usborne Listen and Learn Musical Instruments
Today’s Music Book Review is Listen and Learn Musical Instruments from Usborne Books. We do have quite a lot of Usborne books at home. They are quite fantastic for young children - and that is my experience so far as my eldest is 6 years old as I write this. My recommendations may change as... Continue Reading →
Music Book Review: Baby’s Bedtime Music Book
A review of Usborne’s Baby’s Bedtime Book of Music. This week’s review of a book about music for children.
Music to burn off some energy
A playlist of songs to help children burn off some energy. Great songs for children to dance to at home.
Concert Review: B’Opera Relaxed Concert, Teddy Bear’s Picnic
A review of a Relaxed Concert from the Birmingham based children’s music company B’Opera
Music Book Review: My Favourite Things
A review of the book “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music.
Counting songs
Music is fantastic for learning. As a student I would often struggle to remember texts I was supposed to learn, and would absolutely not be able to tell you about any of the stuff I learned today; but song lyrics I heard in my teenage years, even younger, can flood back in an instant as... Continue Reading →
Ukulele challenge week 1
We have done the first week of our ukulele challenge, how have we got on? My son, who is in Year 1, went back to school last week which is why I thought it was a good time to start this challenge- we had to start a new after school routine anyway with needing to... Continue Reading →
8 Happy Songs
For this week’s playlist, we have a selection of very happy songs, or pieces of music. These are all fun, bubbly, joyful works that will have you up and dancing and maybe even singing or humming along to them. If you ever need a pick me up, these would all be ideal to listen to.... Continue Reading →
9 Songs for Summer
A playlist of 9 songs for summer.
Music Book Review: Usborne Peep Inside a Fairy Tale – The Nutcracker
A review of the book Peep Inside The Nutcracker publishes by Usborne Books. This week’s #musicbookreview
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