Microsoft’s Musical Instruments: An oldie but a goodie

Microsoft’s Musical Instruments: An Oldie but a goodie                                        By Dan Thompson

 

Its fall and my K-5 elementary students have returned to there favorite spots on the risers in my music room. It is always energizing to see there enthusiasm and excitement about school starting, getting there instruments in beginning band and coming back to music class. I especially get a kick out of the kindergarten students who are in “wide eyed wonder” over all the changes they are experiencing.

 

I began the year teaching the students about the different families of instruments and after digging through my dusty files, I found a real treasure!  Microsoft created a CD called “Microsoft’s Musical Instruments” about 12 years ago. It is one of the best programs I have found for introducing the various families of instruments and learning about instruments from other countries. It only works on the Macintosh computer and I am not sure if it would even work on the current Mac operating systems. I have been running it on a computer that is about 15 old and it works great. By using a vga to Mac adaptor, I am able to put the images up on our pull down projection screen. The sound is played through the classroom stereo system.

 

We started out learning about all of the instruments in the brass family. The students can see a great image of  a trumpet and then click on the different parts of the trumpet to get even more information. For example, by clicking on the mouthpiece they learned about the different sizes of mouthpieces that are available for the trumpet and what effect they have on the sound that the trumpet makes. The instrument sound examples that are used  are outstanding and a lot of the songs are familar to the students . For the harp,  The Nutcracker song ” Waltz of the Flowers” is played .Click on another button and you can hear the trumpet being played in jazz, Latin or pop music styles. If you decide to dig a little deeper you can click on the trumpet and learn about all the instruments that are related to the trumpet. The kids especially enjoyed the digeridoo!

 

Just about every instrument from every country is covered by this amazing software program. The instrument sound examples are very engaging and kept the kids focused the entire period. If you can find this program I can guarantee your kids will enjoy it and will want to use it during there exploratory time. You may need an old Mac to run it I have not had a chance to run it on the newer Macintosh computers. My hope is that Microsoft will create a hybrid version of this CD and recycle this oldie but a goodie software program

 

Music lessons: When should your child start?

Music lessons: When should your child start?                       By Dan Thompson

 

 

I have been an elementary music teacher for 25 years and one question I get asked a lot is “When should my child start music lessons”?  Every child is different and there are a number of things you should consider when pondering this question. I started playing violin at the ripe old age of 4 years old. I enjoyed the lessons and I remember we went out for ice cream after every lesson that went well. I feel that this early experience helped me to develop a musical ear and a love of music.

 

I mentioned that every child is different and 4 years old may be too young to start your child in structured music lessons. So what should a parent do and when is the right time for your child to start his musical journey? 

 

I feel that his musical experience should begin at birth! This does not mean you present your child with a 5” violin as soon as he or she is born. What it means is that you should have all kinds of different styles of music playing in the home. From Mozart to Willy Nelson, if your child sees you enjoying music they are more likely to follow your role model. Playing an instrument or singing with your child is another way that you can help make music an important part of your child’s life. Do you play piano or guitar? Why not have your child join you as you both play and sing some fun children’s songs. I feel this activity is as important as reading to your child and the sooner your start these activities with your child the better.

 

If you are not musical there are many fun CD’s and musical DVD’s that you and your child can listen, sing and dance to. For a great list of fun musical CD’s, I recommend you go to http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/topmay08.htm  For a list of some of the best musical DVD’s for children go to: http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/recommendation1/tp/holiday.htm

 

 

  I have suggested 3 things to encourage your child to love music:

 

1. Play all kinds of different styles of music around the house.

2. Play an instrument and sing with your child.

3. Purchase quality musical CD’s and DVD’s for your child

 

Finally I would recommend buying good quality musical instruments for your child to play.  Whether it’s a piano, electronic keyboard, guitar, xylophone, drum or harmonica, having instruments around the house that they can play with is very important. Children love to experiment and explore. If these instruments are available, I guarantee they are going to want to play with them.  This is where a lot musical learning can take place. As they are poking at that electronic piano, they are also learning the relationship of the sounds, to the keys they are pressing. Before long they will start picking out songs they are familiar with and creating songs of there own. This is how you make learning music fun and take advantage of their natural curiosity. The same is true for the other instruments that are around the house. It may sound noisy as they pound away at that shiny new drum, but while they are driving you crazy they are also exploring beat and rhythm.

 

At this point you are probably wondering “so when should my child start music lessons”? We are almost ready to answer that question.

 

As your child gets older you may notice that they are spending a lot of time with the piano or guitar. This is a good sign that they are ready for formal music lessons. I feel there is no need to rush this process. Let them have fun and explore their musical world. Eventually they may even ask if they can take lessons on their favorite instrument.

 

If you decide to give them lessons, there is one more very important step to consider.

Find a music teacher that makes learning music fun and goes at a pace that is right for your child. I can not emphasize this enough. If learning music is not fun and rewarding, your child will get frustrated and want to quit. 

 

There is a lot more that can be said about this topic. Hopefully I have given you enough information to help you begin to help your child enjoy music. If you have further questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me at: http://creativekidmusic.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

Isaiah Plays Djembe

While I was preparing a lesson on percussion instruments I found this you tube video. The kids really enjoyed watching it and I think you will too.

Music is Brain Power (research about the benefits of music)

                    Music Is Brain Power!

 

The study of music helps students achieve success in school.

Students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT: 53 points higher on the verbal and 39 points higher on the math for music performance, and 61 points higher on the verbal and 42 points higher on the math for music appreciation than students with no arts participation. -1999 College-Bound Seniors National Report Profile of SAT Program Test Takers, The College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, New Jersey

 

Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted. -As reported in “The Case for Music in the Schools,” Phi Delta Kappa, February, 1994

 

A study of 811 high school students indicated that the proportion of minority students with a music teacher-role model was significantly larger than for any other discipline. 36% of these students identified music teachers as their role models, as opposed to 28% English teachers, 11% elementary teachers, 7% physical education/sports teachers, 1% principals. -D. L. Hamann and L. M. Walker, “Music teachers as role models for African-American students,” Journal of Research in Music Education, 41, 1993

 

A study of 237 second grade children used piano keyboard training and newly designed math software to demonstrate improvement in math skills. The group scored 27% higher on proportional math and fraction tests than children that used only the math software. -Graziano, Peterson, Shaw, “Enhanced learning of proportional math through music training and spatial-temporal training, “Neurological Research, Vol. 21, March 1999

 

                                    Music develops Intelligence and Self Esteem

A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. -Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning.” Neurological Research, Vol. 19, February 1997

 

Students in two Rhode Island elementary schools who were given an enriched, sequential, skill-building music program showed marked improvement in reading and math skills. Students in the enriched program who had started out behind the control group caught up to statistical equality in reading, and pulled ahead in math. -Gardiner, Fox, Jeffrey and Knowles, as reported in Nature, May 23, 1996

 

A McGill University study found that pattern recognition and mental representation scores improved significantly for students given piano instruction over a three-year period. They also found that self-esteem and musical skills measure improved for the students given piano instruction.

 

In the kindergarten classes of the school district of Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin, children who were given music instruction scored 48 percent higher on spatial-temporal skill test than those who did not receive music training. -Rauscher, F. H., and Zupan, M.A. (1999)/ Classroom keyboard instruction improves kindergarten children’s spatial-temporal performance: A field study. Manuscript in press. Early Childhood Quarterly

 

Information provided by MENC: The National Association for Music Education, NAMM: The International Music Products Association and NSBA: The National School Boards Association.

Visit the MENC website at www.menc.org

The results of these and other studies are available at www.menc.org/information/advocate/facts.html.

Four steps to choosing the right guitar for your child

Four steps to choosing the right guitar for your child   By Dan Thompson

                                                                                         Creativekidmusic.com

 

When choosing a guitar for your child there are four basic steps you need to think about:.

 

1. Choosing the type of guitar, steel string acoustic, nylon string acoustic or electric.

2. Choosing the right size for your child.

3. Buy a quality instrument not a toy (how to tell the difference between the two).

4. Purchase a tuner and quality bag or case to protect the guitar.

 

 

1. Choosing a guitar, steel string acoustic, nylon string acoustic or electric guitar.

 

Step one; what type the guitar should your child play? For most beginning students, I would recommend a nylon acoustic guitar.  The advantages of having your child start out on a nylon acoustic guitar is that it is easier on their fingers and does not require an amplifier . I have found that many children get frustrated playing on steel string guitars because their fingers start hurting after just a few minutes of playing. With a nylon string guitar that adjustment time is a lot less and the enjoyment factor should be a lot higher.  As your child gets older they may want to try an electric or steel string guitar but for starting out I would recommend nylon strings.

 

 

2. Choosing the right size guitar for your child

 

A guitar that it’s too big makes it difficult for a child to hold the guitar hold the guitar. A guitar that is too small makes it difficult to fit there fingers on the fretboard and play the notes and chords.  Guitars come in three basic sizes, 30 inch or half size, 34 inch and 36 inches or larger. The chart below is a good guideline to use when choosing the size of guitar for your child. Some children are bigger or smaller for their age. If that is true for your child, then I would use the age that closely matches your child’s size. For example a small size 7 year old child may want to choose a 30 inch guitar. This chart applies to both nylon acoustic and steel string guitars.

 

Acoustic Guitars

• Age is only a very general guideline
• 3 to 6 years old – Half Size or 30inch Acoustic Guitar
• 6 to 9 years old – Three-Quarter 34” Acoustic Guitar
• 9 to 12 years old – Student 36” Acoustic Guitar
• 12 Years to Adult – Classical and Concert Guitar
• 13 years to Adult – Full Size Acoustic Guitar

 

 

 

• Electric Guitars

• Age is only a very general guideline
• 6 to 9/10 years old – Junior Electric Guitar
• 8/9 to 12 years old – Short Scale Electric Bass Guitar
• 9/10 Years to Adult – Full Size Electric Guitar

13 years to Adult – Full Size Electric Bass Guitar

 

 

3. Buy a quality instrument not a toy (how to tell the difference between the two)

 

 

A poor quality cheaply made guitar is not much fun to play. Generally speaking any guitar you buy that is $30.00 or less is a toy not a quality instrument. The sound quality and playability of these instruments are terrible. When choosing a guitar you want the distance between the fret board and the strings to be really close so that it does not take as much pressure to push down the strings and create a sound. .The distance should be fairly consistent all the way to the sound hole of the guitar. The tuning machines should operate smoothly and not feel hard to turn.  Everything mentioned above, also applies to electric guitars. When purchasing an electric guitar make sure that it is in tune with itself. This simply means that when you play an open string, it is exactly one octave higher when you push down on the 12th fret of that string. Some acoustic and electric guitars may need to be adjusted by a technician after you buy them.  Choosing a quality instrument increases the chance that your child will “stick with it” and greatly increases there enjoyment of the guitar.

 

4. Purchase a tuner and quality bag or case to protect the guitar.

 

I would recommend purchasing a good quality bag or case to protect the guitar you just purchased. A soft shell case can provide a buffer against scratches and dings when the guitar is being transported or stored. A hard shell case is more expensive but provides even more protection from the slings and arrows of everyday use. 

 

A tuner is also a good idea to help you keep the guitar in tune.  Even if children are just playing around with the guitar, they are developing an ear for that instrument. They are associating different sounds with the placement of their fingers on the guitar. It is important that this association is accurate, and a tuner helps make sure that the guitar is properly tuned and the child is hearing the right pitch.

 

Choosing the right guitar will give your child a great musical experience for many years and increases the chance that they will make music an important part of their life.

Music ace in the classroom (applications for the general music teacher)

Music ace in the classroom (applications for the general music teacher)

 

                                                                                                 By Dan Thompson

                                                                                                       Creative kid Music.com

I have been using Music ace 1 and Music ace 2 in the classroom for 12 years, primarily with my 2^nd to 5^th grade students. Whenever I mention that we are going to work on Music ace today, they all are excited and anxious to get started. I am fortunate to have 22 old Macintosh computers and 6 older Pc’s in my classroom. When my district switched form a Macintosh platform to a strictly Pc platform, I was able to acquire the older Macs that nobody wanted anymore. The good news is that Music ace works great on both of these older platforms! If you do not have a lab in your classroom you may want to consider using your schools computer lab or setting up a learning center with just a few computers

 

Advantages of using Music Ace in your classroom:

 

1.      Students can learn at their own pace.

2.      The program patiently adjusts and repeats the lesson.

3.      Children enjoy playing the game after the lesson

4.       It is easy to see how the student is progressing

5.      It is very effective at teaching rhythm, notes and training there ear to hear the patterns and pitches of music

 

.

Students can learn at their own pace.

 

Every student learns at a different pace. Some students will fly through two or 3 lessons in one period; others will not be able to finish a lesson in two or 3 periods. When using Music Ace I allow each student to progress at their own speed. The faster learners can move ahead to the next lesson and the slower learners can take the time they need to really master the concepts.

 

 

The program patiently adjusts and repeats the lesson

As you know, your students range from low to high in regards to their ability in music.

When teaching a lesson you have to make sure that you challenge the high students and do not lose the low students because the lesson is over their heads. Music ace will go over a skill like rhythm, over and over again. It patiently adjusts the lesson by slowing down the rhythm or repeating a concept until they get it right.

 

Children enjoy playing the game after the lesson

 

After each lesson is a game the students can play to help reinforce what they have learned. The program will give them a score that indicates how well they are doing on the game. The kids love the challenge of trying to reach a certain score and I appreciate having a standard by which I can feel confident that they are learning the musical concepts. I will often tell the kids that if they reach a certain score playing the game, they can receive a token to use in the classroom. I know many of you are hesitant to use rewards in the classroom. Every teacher is different and the bottom line is for me it works! The kids in my classroom will work extremely hard to reach the goal or score that is established. It is important not to set the goal to high or you will lose your lower end students. If your higher end students easily reach the goal, I would have them go on to the next lesson so they are challenged.

 

It is easy to see how the student is progressing.

 

As students are working on the lesson, I will walk around and encourage and monitor how they are doing. If they are stuck on some part of the lesson it is a great time to give them help and see how they are doing. Their score on the game provides you with a quick checkpoint on how they are progressing.

 

It is very effective at teaching rhythm, notes and training there ear to hear the patterns and pitches of music

 

A lot of my students can pick out songs on the piano or play challenging rhythms on the drum. I feel that the time they spent working on Music Ace has helped them develop a musical ear and a feel for rhythm. Music Ace 1 has a section on pitch that is excellent at developing their sense of being in tune and higher and lower sounds. Students will slide a tuning bar up or down until it matches the pitch being played. Another lesson in Music Ace 2 has them follow the notes being played and tapping the corresponding rhythm on the keyboard.

 

Summary

 

Whether you have a lab with 30 computers or a 5 computer work center, Music ace can have a very positive effect on your student’s musical experience. Even if all you have is a teacher computer and projector it can still provide a great way for the class to practice and learn their music concepts. I will often have the whole class do a lesson and game before they go to their individual computers. The students can come to the teacher computer and take turns interacting with the program.

 

I feel that Music Ace is a great program that can help you effectively teach and motivate your students to reach their musical goals.  

Hello world!

Welcome to Creativekidmusic’s Weblog.I have been a general and instrumental music teacher for 26 years and have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Technology. This weblog was created to provide support and share ideas with both parents and music educators. Its primary goal is to encourage and promote music in the lives of children. Let’s work together to help children, parents and music educators get the most out of music. Many parents have questions like “how do I choose an instrument for my child” or ” what is the best software to encourage my child to learn about music”. If you have questions or answers or choose want to comment, then this is the place to do it. Let the discussion begin. How can we encourage children to love music and make it a part of there everyday life?