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Music lessons for toddlers
It only works if the parent, child and teacher work in a triangle.
Alison Apley, Suzuki teacher and teacher trainer

In every culture, all over the world, music is a crucial part of early learning, and a source of fun and creativity. Appreciating music is a lifelong pleasure and music can also teach coordination, cooperation and concentration. It is also part of the National Curriculum. But there is a world of difference between a music-based playgroup and learning an instrument. What should you choose?

No child is ever dragged into one of our classes, in fact they run into our class.
Pat Wislocki, British Coordinator of Colourstrings

Music as Play
From the outset children should be actively engaged in music-making: singing, playing and moving to music. All playgroups should use music but there are some which use music as a basis for their activities. They may follow a particular teaching method or approach. If they do it is well worth enquiring a little further. All have their fans and their critics. It is best to ask advice from your local authority, school or other parents. You may find it helpful to contact the Pre-School Music Association. If you can go to see classes for yourself, take your child to give them a chance to try it out.

If they offer a balanced diet of singing, movement, percussion, play and listening to music then it is probably worthwhile. But the teachers can make a big difference. Are the lessons lively and varied? Do the teachers seem committed?

Pat Wislocki, is British coordinator for Colourstrings, a method with a history of teaching children as young as eighteen months.
“We’re playing lots of clapping and marching games and singing. You start with little two-note songs so the child can learn to sing in tune.” Colourstrings originates from Hungary and follows the Kodaly philosophy of learning through play and song from very early on.

Elizabeth Chambers has two children doing Colourstrings. She says: “It really captures them. It’s right where they are, with enjoyment and games.”

DaCapo is another method that aims to make music fun. It emphasises the importance of song and training the musical ear with games and exercises, not just before beginning an instrument but right through to the teenage years.

Jane Cutler is one of its founders. She says of conventional teaching: “Children starting an instrument have no idea of the difference between two notes. They can’t hold a pulse, yet you’re giving them a cello to play. It’s a joke, it’s impossible.”

Learning an Instrument
The Suzuki Method teaches children as young as two and a half to play complicated pieces, usually on violin, by copying. Alison Apley, Suzuki teacher and teacher trainer, says: “It only works if the parent, child and teacher work in a triangle.”

Although it is effective, Suzuki is also controversial. Sheila Nelson, a well-known specialist in string education and teacher of violinist Nicola Loud, who became Young Musician of the Year in 1990, says: “It’s fine if you want children to play organised music at a young age but if they want to be real musicians, Suzuki isn’t on, mainly because there’s nothing creative, no singing, just copying straight onto the instrument. They have difficulty reading music, particularly rhythms. It’s too much cart before the horse.”

But Steve Lawrence, parent of two Suzuki children, says:
“It’s very child-centred and because they are in a performance situation once a week, making mistakes doesn’t matter to them, they just carry on.”

In the end the choice is yours, the important thing is to find out about the kind of class you are considering for your child.
TOP TIPS

* Try it and make sure your child is happy in the class
*
Ask other parents about their experiences of early learning groups
* Consider whether you can make the time commitment

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How music can help

Music is my life, I couldn’t imagine not having access to it.

Jools Holland, Musician and Broadcaster
Music can help children communicate and give them enjoyment, sometimes despite the most severe disabilities. A number of organisations are dedicated to making it possible for all children and young people to have an experience of music. Some of these use the latest advances in information technology in their work.
Music can reach people at any level. You don’t have to have a high appreciation of music, it’s just a fun way of communicating, a relaxed way. And through that you can learn some of the things that come very hard to these children, sharing, taking turns, listening, all sorts of skills.
Sallie Eastwick, Manager of Musical Keys, Norfolk

Musician, and broadcaster Jools Holland, says: “Music is my life. I couldn’t imagine not having access to it.” But he’s aware that for some children their disability can make access to music seem impossible. Jools is a patron of the Drake Music Project. This project has developed computer software, E-Scape, which allows those with disabilities to participate in music. Adele Drake, founder of the project says:
“E-Scape can be used by people with the severest physical disabilities, such as those who are unable to hold a conventional instrument. I feel like we are stepping into the future.”

Music can be a way of exploring the world, or simply a pleasure and an experience in its own right, whether your child is creating or listening to music. But the opportunities to become involved can be more limited if your child has a disability of some kind. Sound Sense offers a national Music and Disability information service.

Jarrod Crossman, five, has Downs syndrome. He really enjoys his weekly music class. His mother Kyra says:
“Really we wanted to stimulate him more and help him that way. He likes the social side of it with the other children and they don’t treat him any differently.”
Jarrod’s teacher, Linda Bance, says that he: “responds beautifully to music”.

Share Music is an organisation that offers music courses for young people with physical disability or sensory impairment throughout the UK and Ireland, held in centres with facilities for disabled people.

At another organisation, Musical Keys in Norfolk, they play different kinds of music and children and parents join in. Colourful instruments and props are used for those who can’t see well or who can’t hear but can feel vibrations.

Sallie Eastwick, Manager, says: “Music can reach people at any level. You don’t have to have a high appreciation of music, it’s a fun way of communicating, a relaxed way. And through this you can learn some of the things that come very hard to these children, like sharing, taking turns and listening - all sorts of skills.”

TOP TIPS

* If you child has a disability there are many ways that they can enjoy music
* Music can be a pleasure for everyone, with the right approach from the teacher. Make sure your child is connecting with their teacher and enjoys classes.
* Music classes can give children with special needs an extra social outlet and help them to feel included. Talk to the teacher about helping your child to fit in.

Levon Oganezov - Piano Player - Ladies’s Man

You want to take it nice and slow when are just learning your

guitar chords. The way I teach my students is I teach them the common keys in music for instance the key of C which is C-F-G
or G7…Key of Am-Dm-E or E7…Key of G-C-D or D7 Then each student learns the basic three chords Major, Minor,
Seventh chords used with guitar.

You have to remember the chords without looking at your fretboard. I teach a game to my students called 5 Chord B-I-N-G-O It’s a simple game just try and fret a chord you are working on Without Looking and then strum where you think you should if it sounds bad you wrong.

But it sounds ok check and see how close you came. At the end of the game the object is to try
and get five correct chords before getting five incorrect chords. You are shouting for 5 Chord B-I-N-G-O/5 Correct Chord
Fretting.

Practice this and try and visualize the picture of the chord diagram then fret your chord. (Note Remember to try and get the first finger first in most cases.)

My youngest students like this game the most of course:) But it helps all beginners with their basic guitar chords.

Then when you learn your keys and chords you want to play many easy guitar songs at first. You need to develop many rhythms at first. Work on your timing and strumming patterns a good guitarist can remember

many different strumming patterns.

Here are a few songs that you can try in the beginning. Paint It Black and As Tears Go By…By the Rolling Stones, Day Tripper by
the Beatles…(Quick Note about the Beatles is to try and learn many of their songs learn the chords learn the rhythms and study their patterns.

There are many good reasons why they were so successful at writing songs)

*Tip* It’s all in the right hand.

The right hand technique takes time to develop once you learn many songs your right hand will be picking melodies and strumming nice rhythms. Watch your timing in the beginning. Timing really hurt me when I was younger.

This can happen by playing by yourself and not with a band or drums.

“Be Aware of This”

Biggest setback in the beginning are dead string noise:

I teach by always remembering the (Two P’s)

(Pres Hard)

(Prop Up Your Fingers)

Play the chord one string at a time and make sure all strings are ringing. If they are then you can strum your chord. You need to once awhile check and see that all your strings are ringing nice and clear. This is called Arpeggiated picking. Arpeggiated picking is simply picking one string at a time in any order.

Take your time and enjoy your guitar. Practice from one chord to the next eventually your hands and muscles will develop strength. Guitar is very repetitive thing. Practicing your chords makes beautiful music:)

Guitar (o)===#
It’s a wonderful JOY in life!

-Tim B. Miller
www.HowToPlayYourGuitar.com
You can also visit this link for a free online chord
finder…
http://flashmusicgames.com/music/guitar_chord.swf

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You don’t need to be musical to help your child develop their musical abilities. But it can help if you understand a few basic musical terms. Music Essentials is designed to help you with any new words you may encounter in Parents Music Room. It is a guide to commonly-used words, explained in simple language.

If your child is learning music in school, or wants to sing or play an instrument, this will help you support them. Just click on the tabs above or links below.

However this is not a substitute for a comprehensive guide to music terminology, a course in music theory, or good teacher.
A - E
F - J
K - P
Q - S
T - Z
Music Sense
Our interactive activity Music Sense brings basic concepts to life with sound and visual imagery in an interactive glossary.

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
A wide range of useful publications and ideas on music theory and practice from the examination board, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. It includes the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

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