Making Music “Children need music every day and every year of their learning lives, and the more...

Making Music

“Children need music every day and every year of their learning lives, and the more complex the better.”

—Rebecca Shore and Janie Strasser (2006)

Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning.All Rights Reserved.

What Is Music?Music is organized sound.


The Elements of Music

Rhythm Timbre Dynamics

Form Melody Harmony


Learning through Music

Through music, children:

• Improve in auditory memory

• Gain more physical coordination

• Learn how to work with others

• Develop organized and logical thinking

• Increase language skills

• Learn a way to express feelings


Music Standards

By the end of the primary years, children should:

1. Sing by oneself and with others

2. Play instruments

3. Improvise rhythms and melodies

4. Compose and arrange music

5. Read and notate music


Music Standards (continued)

By the end of the primary years. children should:

6. Describe and respond to music

7. Evaluate music

8. Understand music’s relationship to the arts, other subjects

9. Understand music’s role in culture and history


Musical Development

Infants Respond to and recognize music

Toddlers Move to rhythms and learn simple songs

Preschool Begin to match pitch and rhythm; can reproduce musical patterns

Kindergarten Sing in tune and can learn to play an instrument

Primary age Can read and compose music


Designing Musical Activities

• One-on-one• Exploration centers

– Listening– Conducting– Sound– Instrumental

• Responsive activities• Transitions


The Listening Experience

Listening to music leads to increased cognitive and language skills:

1. Begin with complex music in infancy.

2. Then introduce music from other times and cultures.


Dealing with Special Needs

To assist children with auditory processing needs:

• Provide preferential seating

• Use earphones

• Let child touch vibrating instruments and speakers

• Play music with multiple clues (words, visuals, and patterns)


Making Rhythms

• Provide tappers and shakers.

• Create a sound-making center.

• Record rhythms children make.

• Match children’s motions.

Ways to develop rhythmic skills:


Musical Instruments

Introducing instruments:• Start with simple, durable percussion and

tonal instruments.

• Explore the sounds they make and practice describing them by name, shape, and timbre.

• Stage impromptu parades and concerts.


Singing Songs

• Show expression on your face.• Maintain eye contact with the children.• Be enthusiastic.• Signal when to begin, such as with a

“Ready, go!”• Really know the song. Practice it many

times.• Pictures and props will help the children—

and you—remember the song better.Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning.

All Rights Reserved.

Selecting Songs

Songs should:

• Be short

• Be easy to sing

• Have a steady beat

• Be repetitious


Inventing Songs

Guidelines for successful improvised songs:

1. Make sure it is appropriate.

2. Use short, simple melodies.

3. Use a comfortable key.

4. Make it rhythmic.Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning.

All Rights Reserved.

Teaching a Song

• Whole song method

• Call and response

• Say it first or write it out

• Clap the rhythm or act it out

• Substitute more personal words

• Make it familiar or tell its history

• Add hand signs


Making Music “Children need music every day and every year of their learning lives, and the more...

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