Tips for Practicing the Recorder.

As we learn the recorder in our last year of Kindermusik, we will be introducing 5 notes during the course of 15 weeks. 

Whenever learning a new instrument or almost any new skill, repetition over time is the key to success!  For example, it is better to practice for 10 minutes a day for 4-5 days in the week, than to practice for 30 minutes on 2 days.  

Children love "visual" signs of accomplishment, so consider creating a checklist that your child can "mark" with a pen or with a sticker every time they practice.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Choose a consistent time each day for practice.  Perhaps it's in the morning BEFORE school when your child is fresh?  Perhaps it's "Pajama Practice" before bed and can ONLY be done in your child's favorite PJ's. Get creative and make it fun.
• Continue to practice the rest, ready, and play positions.  Ready position means that the recorder mouth piece is resting on the chin.
• Coach your child to use “flat” fingers over the holes in order to cover them. Press down the finger over the hole and then lift up. What do you see? Look for the circle mark on the finger – are you covering the entire hole? If so, you'll see circles for each hole.
• Less is more!  Remind your child that less air will produce a more beautiful sound.  
• Use the tongue (not air or breaths) to produce each note.  The child should be making a “too” sound/motion with the tongue to produce the notes.
• Shoulders and cheeks are still and not moving.
• Keep practice light and fun.  Take a video and ask the child to tell you what they see rather than giving comments.  Help them discover what they can do differently to produce a musical and beautiful sound.

Just like adults, children can become frustrated if a new note or skill does not come easily or with the 1st or 2nd try.  Help your child understand that practice is the key. Set their expectations and remind them of other things that they learned to do with practice over time. (Perhaps even give an example of something YOU had to learn to do with practice.) 

The process of daily practice will help your child develop patience, create anticipation for the coming success/accomplishment, and foster a sense of determination.  These skills are important for success in school, in life, and in our musical mastery of instruments.

Helping Your Child to be a Better Listener

Helping Your Child Be a Better Listener

Is anyone listening?  Our world is over loaded with sensory input - fluorescent light, cars buzzing by, microwaves, television, and vibrations of all kinds are filling our ears.  Our goal is to help children learn to focus to the nuances of sound.

Becoming a good listener will help your child:

* Learn more effectively;

* Heed danger signals;

* Get along better with you and other adults; and

* Make better friends.

Hearing is a physical process but listening involves much more.  We can hear a sound, but choose not to listen to it.  Listening is an intentional act and it invites a response.  Becoming focused and discriminating listeners will help your child become better learners.  

Kindermusik starts early helping your child to develop good listening and attention skills.  

In our baby classes, we are listening to engaging musical sounds such as slide whistles, resonator bars, recorders, etc while parents are modeling how to be good listeners.  The children are mesmerized as they watch and listen, while parents are celebrating as we build a foundation for attention span.  

In toddler classes, we practice focused listening using sounds that are relevant, such as animal sounds, sounds around the house, transportation sounds.  We listen to one sound at a time and then imitate the sound with our voice (and many times learn the Sign Language for the sound) in order to internalize and develop a "library" of sounds in our brains.  

At the preschool level, we practice "discriminatory listening" as we practice picking out one sound among many. This skill helps with success in school (think about how your child will need this skill in the classroom!). Then we begin to sort and categorize sounds as we introduce the concept of "timbre". This is the point we begin to build a bridge from every day sounds to musical and instrument sounds, such as orchestra instruments.  

At age 5 and 6, we teach children the timbre of orchestra instruments and help children discern the subtle differences between and violin and a viola or between a french horn and a trombone. At each step we are using music to develop your child's listening skills.

There are many things you can do to help your child develop listening skills. Just remember that your example speaks volumes to your child - if you are a good listener, chances are, your child will learn good listening skills from you!

"Music Lessons" for younger children?

What kind of “music lessons” can I find for younger children?

For most children, asking for “music lessons” is their way of expressing their love for and interest in music.  A young child can learn and blossom with music, especially in a music and movement class like Kindermusik® which is perfectly matched for every age and stage of childhood from newborn to 6 years.  

Each Kindermusik class is teaching children to sing, to develop steady beat, to experience music concepts in different ways based on age, and developing instrument and ensemble skills.  

Our award-winning program in Pittsburgh has consistently ranked in the top 10 programs world-wide for the last 3 years.  Our teachers are professional music educators with a college degree, a license in Kindermusik, and years of experience.  We feature new albums every 4 weeks with classroom experiences that promote learning, bonding, and a life-long love of music!

Kathy’s Music offers Kindermusik classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, 

big kids, and families.

Schedule a preview class at no cost or obligation to learn more.

Locations in McMurray, Mt. Lebanon, Robinson, and Squirrel Hill.

Contact: KathysMusic@verizon.net or Call: (412) 344-0535 to schedule your preview class.

When is my child ready to start private lessons?

When is my child ready to start private lessons?

For most children, the best time to start learning their first instrument through private lessons is usually sometime between the ages of six and ten years of age.  Here is a quick check list of questions to ask yourself before making the commitment to enroll in private lessons.

Can my child sit and stay focused for 15 to 30 minutes on a series of directed tasks?

Is my child reading and writing yet?  (Reading and writing are not necessarily required prerequisites for music lessons, but both skills are very helpful when it comes working and practicing more independently.)

Can my child identify patterns and recognize up and down?

Is my child ready to accept the guidelines and expectations of the teacher?

Does my child have the fine motor control, interest, and attention span necessary for daily home practice?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, then your child may be ready for lessons.   At Kathy’s Music we offer a complimentary evaluation with one of our Music Artistry teachers.  

Contact our office to schedule a time to meet with an instrument or voice teacher to learn more about lessons and see our studio spaces.  

Visit our website to learn more.

For some students, Group Classes are the best place to start.

We offer Group Voice classes for ages 6 to 10 years in Mt. Lebanon and McMurray

Our "Piano Corner" classes are group piano classes designed just for 4's & 5's.

Learn more about those offerings here.

Meet Jennie Dorris - New Piano Teacher for Kathy's Music

Meet Jennie Dorris: New Piano Teacher for Kathy's Music

...and SO MUCH more.

Jennie Dorris is a writer, percussionist, and interdisciplinary artist based in Pittsburgh. She performs with Resonance Works, Alia Musica, The Brass Roots, and Crusic Percussion. Passionate about sharing her art with new communities, she regularly gives concerts with Pittsburgh’s Musicians with a Mission, which brings music to nursing homes, and Shelter Music Boston, which brings music to homeless shelters.

Jennie has developed innovative education programs that allow students to create their own musical works. She is the founding Education Director for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and is on faculty with  Carnegie Mellon University’s Preparatory School as its percussion instructor and teaching courses in Creative Expression. 

Jennie also partners with schools across Pittsburgh to create original music programming. This spring she is working with 5th and 6th graders at Sacred Heart Elementary to compose music for film, and she is working with high schoolers at the Neighborhood Academy to explore music and memoir. 

We are pleased to have Jennie begin teaching for us in January!