How much do you know about Sonata Form. Read all about this musical structure here.
Facts About Rondo Form
Want to know more about different musical structures that you could use for your composition? This post is about the Rondo Form musical structure.
Facts About Binary Form
Want to know more about different musical structures that you could use for your composition? This post is about the Binary Form musical structure.
Facts About Theme and Variations Structure
The first in a new series of Facts About…. posts, this time about different musical structures. This post is about the Theme and Variations musical structure.
Music Book Review: Around The World In 80 Musical Instruments by Nancy Dickman and Sue Downing
A review of the book Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments written by Nancy Dickman and illustrated by Sue Downing.
Music Book Review: Where Are All The Black Female Composers
A review of the fabulous book Where Are All The Black Female Composers by Nathan Holder, featuring the Why Squad of Musical Explorers.
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?
Why Listen to Nursery Rhymes?
Should you listen to nursery rhymes with your little children? And why are they good for your child to listen to or sing? These questions are explored and suggestions made for some nursery rhymes to choose in this blog post.
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 →
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.
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: 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 Children’s Songs
A children’s music playlist-songs about animals.
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.