I'm notorious.
I have no rhythm.
I cannot pick out the beat in any song.
I can not even follow along, clapping when others are.
Although I can actually read sheet music, I cannot transfer that knowledge to my hands or voice. It's like knowing how to read a language, but not knowing how to speak it.
Thankfully, I am married to a drummer, who can teach the children. Also, we have some amazing opportunities within our homeschool community for the children to learn to sing and play instruments.
For my part, since I can not teach the children to play music or to sing, what do I contribute? I teach music appreciation and history. Here are my favorite resources for the musically challenged {myself} and perhaps for those with musical talent as well...
Books:
Hymns for a Kid's Heart
Hymns for a Kid's Heart, Vol. 2
Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart
Bravo! Brava! A Night at the Opera
The Story of the Orchestra
The Usborne Internet-Linked Introduction to Music
Usborne Internet-Linked Music Theory for Beginners
Books About Specific Composers (Picture Books):
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
The Farewell Symphony
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Books About Specific Composers (Chapter Books):
Mozart the Wonder Boy
Ludwig Beethoven and the Chiming Tower Bells
Sebastian Bach: The Boy From Thuringia
Handel at the Court of Kings
Joseph Haydn: The Merry Little Peasant
Franz Schubert and His Merry Friends
Robert Schumann and Mascot Ziff
The Young Brahms
Curriculum:
Discoveries in Music, by Calvert School (for younger elementary aged students)
Ready to Read Music
Accent on Composers
Related Posts:
How to Love Poetry
When Meghan is beside us in church, I feel badly for her. Derek (I think) has no desire to clap, even to strongly rhythmed songs. I cannot clap while singing, even if the rhythm is strong...but my little girl sure does try!
ReplyDeleteWe have a book where if you push buttons it plays hymns and children's songs. It tells the words...and I still can't do it except for the songs I know well...and even then I'm teaching it wrong. Oh well. It's a joyful noise to the Lord...and for now the kids.
Thankfully, your children are not missing out on the love of music with your husband's teaching of it...and your appreciation of it!
Beautiful drums!
I would have a tough time! I am a musical person, can read music and sing and do all that good stuff - but I have NO idea how to teach it! My dad taught me when I was 4 - I have no memory of NOT reading music. I always thought my dad would be the one teaching my girls. Now it falls to me....
ReplyDeleteWhoa.
Thanks for all the great resources you listed! I hope to have my boys learn to play an instrument and me learn to play the piano in years to come!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteSmiling too because I do not have rhythm at all!!
Kerri