I have vivid memories of little songs I sang to myself as I walked to school and of singing in the bathtub (before I was old enough to take showers). I hum all the time (so does my brother Ryan, the only time he got in trouble at school was for humming while he worked when he was in grade 1 or 2).
It probably stems from my grandma who sings all the time. Music just surrounds her, everything she taught us had some kind of music incorporated, from dancing around the kitchen while pies baked to singing while we coloured together.
Grandma was the reason I took 7 years of organ lessons and why I stuck with them so long even after my teacher tried to beat the love of playing by ear out of me. I have a sister who is an amazing musical technician, she can play anything from a piece of sheet music - our music teacher loved her -, but I have to hear it first and I play by ear even though I can read the music, which infuriated our music teacher. I was scared of her. A different kind of musical education might have helped me become more musically creative and encouraged my natural musical playfulness, I don't know. But I still love music and play around a bit, when the opportunity exists.
If I ever get the time, or make the time, I'd love to learn how to play the cello. Someone, I think it was Kim Barlow, once said that the cello is the instrument most similar in range to the human voice and once I thought about it and listened, I realized she made a very good point.
In terms of musical education, I think it's important to sing with children and to let them sing, but I also think it's important to expose them to different kinds of music, to play music during the day so that they get to know what is out there. To, in a formal or informal way, introduce them to different instruments, what they sound like and how the sounds change the mood of the music. Disney's Peter and the Wolf is a good start, but field trips to performances and guests in the classroom or assemblies are very important.
Music is going to play a large part in my classroom, not matter what the age or the grade level.
What a wonderful gift your Grandma gave to you - inspires me to be sure to share music with my grandson! It would be fun to illustrate the vignette you shared about dancing around the kitchen while the pies were baking - could be a page in a delightful children's book. Thanks for posting Peter and the Wolf - isn't the obo just the greatest insrument for showing that someone's in trouble?! It will be fun to build up a collection of music resources, including YouTube videos and songs from itunes, to use in any classroom. I hope everyone in our class agrees that NO student should EVER get in trouble for humming while he or she works! So glad it didn't discourage him permanently and glad that you survived your angry music teacher - shouldn't that be an oxymoron?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see just how much music plays a part in our lives isn't it? I love how a certain piece of music can take us back to a time, to a moment in history! And the video you posted is such a perfect example of how music creates meaning Nicole--good choice. I think this piece would be a great way to teach that concept.
ReplyDeleteThe first song I remember committing to memory was Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues." My dad, conversely, played a ton of music when we were young. I love music and I'm already trying to think of some way I can tie "The Fox" into some lesson for this practicum.
ReplyDeleteI love the way music becomes a part of us. PS, I think that your music teacher was jealous.
ReplyDeleteYou could also use your idea of showing how musical instruments communicate mood to show how mood is created in writing. (for older students probably) It's similar to what I use the director's skit for.
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