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.
Facts About the Bassoon
In this post I turn the spotlight onto the bassoon, one of the lowest pitched and largest members of the woodwind family of instruments. What do you know about this unique and fabulous instrument? A lot more than before, if you read this post!
Facts About the Oboe
This month’s featured instrument of the orchestra is a member of the woodwind family: the oboe.
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).
Interesting facts about the piano you should know
How much do you really know about the piano? Here are some fun and interesting facts about this family favourite musical instrument.
Music Product Review: Kazoo that Tune game
A review of a silly, fun musical game- Kazoo That Tune!
DIY Bottle Top Wind Chime
How to make a wind chime for the garden with just metal bottle tops, fishing thread and a dream catcher hoop.
Baker Ross DIY Tambourine Kit
Reviewing a fun activity, making DIY tambourine using a kit from Baker Ross.
Spotlight on Rainsticks
This blog post puts a contemporary and child friendly version of a traditional instrument in the spotlight - rainsticks.
Spotlight on Handbells
For this month’s spotlight on a musical instrument, I am looking at handbells - tuned percussion instruments that your children will just love to play, if only because they can be played VERY loud!
Spotlight on Triangle
What is the triangle, and how do you play it? Some ideas and brief demonstrations are given in this blog post.
DIY Windchime with bells
Fancy making an easy DIY windchime to enjoy in your garden this summer? I made one out of fishing wire and jingle bells, and tell you how I did it here.
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 →
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 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.
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.
Ukulele Challenge Update Weeks 5-7
An update to our learn to play ukulele challenge.
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.
Spotlight on tambourine
Spotlight on tambourine, a great first percussion instrument. What is a tambourine and how to play it
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 →
Ukelele Challenge
Ukelele is a great first instrument for children to learn. It is small, so a good size for small hands, it has 4 strings, so is not overly complicated, it is quite easy to play, and you only have to learn a few chords before you can start to play tunes you know and like.... Continue Reading →
Making a DIY hand drum
Making a hand drum out of items you have at home. Keeping the children busy with screen free activities.
Making a DIY cardboard box guitar
Another incredibly simple instrument to have a go at making at home this week. Today we have a box guitar! Now you can make these guitars as fancy or as plain as you like. We opted for plain so we could get on with using them- the children couldn’t wait to use them! You can... Continue Reading →
Making DIY straw and foil shaker
Making easy musical instruments with children, to keep children busy during the corona lockdown.
Making DIY Lego shaker
Making DIY Lego shaker. An instrument my 5 year old was able to make entirely independently.
Making DIY windchimes
How to make indoor beaded windchimes from things you may already have at home.
Making DIY panpipes
Another fun activity to do at home with your little ones while we are all on lockdown. Today I made panpipes using only items that I found in the drawers at home. To make panpipes at home you will need to collect together: Straws. We had a stock of plastic straws at home. Paper ones... Continue Reading →
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