February News for Little Musicians: German Composers and Videos to Help with Practice

Little Musicians Families,

Can you believe it is already February!  It seems we just got back from Christmas vacation. 


Germany

This month we have been working on our Germany theme by learning a lot of songs in German and from Germany and learning about German composers.

We have listened and:

played "air" pianos to Bach's Toccata in D minor  (My little girls just heard this song on a radio commercial and from the back seat announced that this was Bach's Toccata in D minor! Yes, they were listening!)

danced with ribbons to Handel's Minuet from Water Music

identified the cuckoo's in Leopold Mozart's Toy Symphony

identified the piano's and forte's in Haydn's Surprise Symphony that made many of them jump at the surprise!

and Wolfgang Mozart's Twinkle Variations.

We have also been learning songs on the Boomwhackers:  Listen for Bells, The Cuckoo Song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  We play the Boomwhackers individually as well as group songs.  This is great practice in learning to play in a community of musicians.  It is also a great first step before playing these songs on the piano.

Videos and Practice Help
Have you checked out our blog yet?  Strings, Keys and Melodies

Here you can watch videos to help with piano practice, piano positions, and voice warm-ups.  Find music suggestions for calming or energizing your child. Read about the Benefits of Music. 

Have fun and Drum at home with Ms. Tonya!

Be sure to let me know if you enjoy the videos and articles by leaving me a comment or sending me an email!  I want to know what is helpful to you!







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Ms.Tonya
tonya@elkgrovemusiclessons.com
812-2875
www.stringskeysandmelodies.blogspot.com

Little Musicians - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and  joyful new year!

Everyone did such a wonderful job at the recitals!  I was proud of all the singers and pianists!  They really amaze me at what they can accomplish. I am looking forward to getting back into class with everyone this week to learn new songs. 

We had a lot of fun studying Native American music!  Now we are moving onto Germany.  During the next 2 months we will be introduced to great composers such as Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart.  We will also listen to music with a "cuckoo" motif, dance a polka, and learn a bit of the German language!   

My daughter, Rachel, and I have started a new music blog for parents just like you.  We will continue to put new articles on each week that will help you practice with your children and encourage the love of music at home!  Check it out at www.stringskeysandmelodies.blogspot.com and become a fan on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Strings-Keys-and-Melodies/218265388248738?sk=wall  We will keep you up to date!  Please let us know of any questions, issues, ideas that you would like us to answer or address on our blog and we will be sure to do that!  Thanks!

Looking forward to new music in the new year!