Making Musicians

the roots of success

We all know that success grows little by little, from strong, healthy, deep roots.  As I look at my Jess, I remember him in his final Let's Play Music recital, proudly playing his own composition at age 6.  Age 6!  His feet didn't even touch the floor when he sat at the piano!  But, he had some roots there. Serious musical roots.  Notice his confident little face as he displays his piece of music and his trophy! 

Now, at 10, he plays the saxophone and guitar, and is fabulous on the piano. He sightreads, sings harmony and composes all the time.  And he loves music!

Now those are some serious ROOTS!

our homes are alive....with the sound of music

Mary Drinkwater shared this darling exchange that happened last week at their house:

Jane (6, in Orange Roots):  Mom, you were in The Sound of Music, right?
Mary:  Yes, That was the summer before I married your dad.
Susanna (4 in Blue Bugs ):  And, were you the girl that taught the children a major scale?

3-Year-Old Outsmarts Blue Bugs

My little 3 year old daughter sat in my blue bugs class this week.  I brought out the chord triangles and we sang our primary chords song.  I hid the triangles and asked the class, "What chord has a 'do, fa, la' in it?"  and my daughter quickly shouted "BLUE".  We all started laughing in amazement.  It's amazing how young they can catch on to these skills! 

Jenny   

3rd Year Magic!

My son Tyson is in his last year of Let's Play Music.  He was practicing one of his songs the other day that is in "F Major" and was trying to sing along with it, but it was a little high for him.  The next thing I heard was him saying to himself,  "Oh, I'll just play it in 'C Major'."  So he transposed it and sang his heart out!  Who would've thought that a 6 year old could do that???  It really is Magic!  :)

Jenny Smith 

Transposer!

This from Debbie Huish - a teacher and mother of 2 Let's Play Music graduates:

My first child went thru the lets play music program and afterwards did not feel he needed to continue in music.  After a few years of battles and not wanting our relationship to suffer I stopped teaching him piano.  I figured he would get music in school.  I figured correctly.  He loves music and to sing.  His pitch is right on still and he transposes in his head…which is an incredible skill that was taught to him in lets play music.  His brother just under him in age is currently taking piano lessons and is clipping right along.  The other day my piano student- son practiced from his Christmas book and my oldest son went to the piano shortly after; on his own,  and began picking out the notes and sight reading silent night, jingle bells, etc.  Then he went to his favorite piece from a few years back and began playing it in 6 or 7 different keys.  I looked at my husband and said….”that still amazes me…listen to that key…oh my heck, did you hear that key?”  I was so impressed with his ability to transpose in his head.  One day soon he will realize just how much knowledge he really has in music. 

 

I strongly feel that the foundation of lets play music instilled in him will stay with him and his love for music will motivate his learning.  Thanks again for a great musical beginning.

spicing up santa song

So, I'm listening to Sydney - our 13 year old and first graduate of Let's Play Music - play "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" on the piano.  It's a fun, jazzy rendition and I'm impressed with her playing this new piece.  She comes in...
"Did you my new song?" 
"Yes - it was great!" 
"Well, the real version was all slow and boring and I told my teacher it's such a fun song, I'd rather play it fun!  So I spiced it up a little." 
"Really!"

So I go in and look at the music, sure enough - slow, 'boring' chords.  And she improvised on it and made it sound fabulous!  I told her so and she says....

"Mom, (with a 7th grade roll of her eyes) all I did was fill in the chords and add some syncopation." 

oh.  no biggie.

HOORAY for musicians!!  (even sarcastic 7th grade ones!)