Adding Colour & Contrast Exploring musical dynamics opens up a whole new world to children. They start to see how the dynamics in music can add the colour and contrast. These different effects bring a whole new dimension to how music makes us feel. Young children usually tend to prefer the loud and fast bits […]
Music Theory Worksheets & Rhythm Games
There are such a lot of music theory worksheets & rhythm games here on Let’s Play Music. So now that I thought it would be useful to round up a few of the favourites! Of course, there is no substitute for a fun music lesson with includes movement, percussion instruments or manipulatives. But music theory […]
First Piano Lessons: Introducing the Note Family
Introducing musical notation as the note family with characters to represent each note makes a tricky concept immediately accessible. This way, children find the note names and their time values so much easier to remember. Make sure to explain that these are their nick-names to help us to tell which is which, and point out […]
Please Mr Crocodile Music Note Chasing Game
Kids do love a good old-fashioned chasing game and Please Mr Crocodile ticks all the boxes! Although they will never miss the chance to dash about, these sort of activities offer kids much more than just letting off a bit of steam. It’s a really fun way to practice note recognition and develop gross motor […]
5 Easy Music Manipulatives
Over the last few weeks I’ve been looking at all sorts of different and easy music manipulatives for introducing basic notation and new musical concepts. These are a great way to bring the subject to life and really engage young beginners. I found these fun Music Fortune Tellers from Just A little More on Pinterest – […]
DIY Magnet Music Notes – Easy Music Manipulatives
This DIY Magnet Music Notes activity is so easy and cheap to make, and in these days of digital overload it has a refreshingly retro appeal! It’s so important to make learning to read music fun, and this is a good way to keep it hands on and visual. These sort of music manipulatives are […]
Lego Beats Music Manipulatives
Lego is such a brilliant toy! Teachers often use it to teach maths and so it’s also an excellent way to teach rhythm and notation with these lego beats music manipulatives. How To Use Lego Music Manipulatives Younger children find the chunky ‘Duplo’ easier to manage so it’s best to start off […]
How To Read Music Made Easy eBook Launch!
I’m very excited to be able to announce the launch of a new eBook – How To Read Music Made Easy. This has been in the works for the best part of a year, so i’m very excited to be able to share it with you all! Since I published my First Piano Lessons eBook […]
Music Theory for Kids: Understanding Accidentals
Accidentals needn’t be difficult if they are approached in a simple and child friendly way. When introducing sharps and flats I always start by asking the child if they’d like to know the secret of the black notes and why they are so useful. This normally pricks their curiosity and gets them onside. It also […]
Music Note Naming With Trains
Kids love trains and playing this music note naming with trains activities is a fun way to help them to connect with the order of the do- re-mi colours and the notes on the stave. It can be a fun up-cycled craft activity too where each child make their own coloured train and then has […]