Puppet Show - "Hoedown"!

Aaron Copland

In the 2nd year of Let's Play Music, we study a piece by Aaron Copland! He was born, the last of 5 children, in New York in 1900. He learned to sing and play the piano from his oldest sister, Laurine. At 11 years old, Copland wrote his first opera! When he was 15 years old, he decided that he would become a composer. He composed many songs inspired by poetry and art work of the 1920s. When he was older, his compositions were inspired by movies and politics. He liked to paint pictures with his music. Our Hoedown puppet show comes from a ballet call, "Rodeo".

It's fun for the kids to see what instruments are playing each theme. How 'bout that marimba?!

Piano Posture

Click here  to go to The Well-Balanced Pianist for some great tips on sitting properly at the piano. 

Nice and comfortable and ready to play her best.

If you want to know just how you or your child should be sitting at the piano, this is a nice little page to read.

Fun Music Videos

Here are some fun music videos for your child's viewing pleasure :)

http://www.musick8kids.com/html/video.php

These are silly little songs with musical concepts that we learn about in Let's Play Music! There's a video for each year. Learning Solfeg, major and minor tonalities, and even the names of the notes on the staff for third years.

Enjoy! And thank you, Marnie, for sharing!

Parent Testimonials: Let's Play Music!

One "Green Turtle Shell" (second year of LPM) mother says about practicing with her son and the Let's Play Music curriculum:


"I’ve really enjoyed sitting at the keyboard with him.  Not only is it necessary to help him, but I feel like I’m “relearning” some important basics in a much more useful way.  I think I would have enjoyed my own piano lessons so much more if I’d been prepped the way Let’s Play Music students are.  It’s such a great program, and you are such a great teacher!  Thanks for all you do –"


She adds this about her son's well-trained ear for tonalities:


"Last Sunday, our primary was learning a new song for the upcoming Christmas sacrament program.  After the music leader sang it through for the kids, Tate raised his hand and said, “That’s in a minor key.”  The music leader and a few other adults in the room were floored.  A few of them came up to me afterward and asked me how in the world he would know that!  I can honestly say it’s because of LPM J  When a child applies a concept to multiple settings, you know that he is truly learning!  It is exciting for me to see as his mom."

Yay for Tate! and Yay for Let's Play Music!

A Little Inspiration

A Let's Play Music teacher in Arizona says:

Every student has their ups and downs. Sometimes it's hard to get them to want to practice. I was having one of those days with my son. You know the line, "Why do I have to practice, I hate practicing!!!" Well, earlier that day I was searching for piano concerts at the Mesa Arts Center and came upon an amazing pianist, William Joseph. I remembered this when my son was asking "Why" and said, "I'll show you, come here"
As we watched the clip of this man playing, my son got very excited. I said, "See, this is why. This guy used to be just like you and now look how awesome he is. How often do you think he practiced?" Son: "A lot! Can we watch it again?" After about 5 times, he went back to the piano and practiced on his own. Sometimes we just need a little motivation, or inspiration.

Kendra here: My 2.5 year old also enjoyed watching it and wanted to watch it again and again and again!

Great First Week!

It was so fun to see my little musicians again! The first class is always so fun because the students are excited to be back! They learn the new games and songs and watch the new puppet show! After the class, they get their new materials and CD's and they get a prize for the new semester. "Do we get to keep these?!!" "Alright!!" The Green Turtle Shells got a little stretchy turtle toy and the Purple Magicians got a purple magic wand (Nerds Rope)!

Have fun listening the CD's, learning the new songs and playing the new games this week. Music is SO fun!