Recently, many parents come up to me and commented that their children can play their pieces well at home, but when they come to class in a group setting, they cannot play as well as they did.
Beside the nervous factor (which we all experience when we go on the stage or play in front of people), it is because the student might be an auditory music learner. They learn music by ears and they rarely look at the music once they know it by ears. When the children is practicing at home, there are no other sounds competing with their playing. Their ears were able to "read" the music for them. But when they are in a group setting, other children's playing or the MIDI do mix in with their own playing and since they only play by ears, they get lost.
Therefore, Music for Young Children focuses a lot on note reading. It's essential for a musician to be able to play solo and also with other musicians. That's why MYC is in a group format. Students get to play individually and also with their little "orchestra". Students will then be able to strengthen their performing in both formats.
Now as a parent, how to help your child in preparing to play with their "orchestra" during practices? Here are a few suggestions:
- practice the songs in multiple tempos after the songs have been well learned. Try a slow tempo, medium tempo and a fast tempo. So they are used to adjusting to whatever tempo been thrown at them. Make it a game with a dice at the piano and let the dice pick the tempo to spice up their practicing.
- play with your child just like what happens in class and of course, as a parent, you won't be stopping even if the child stopped. That's the point! :) Your children would love to enjoy the duet time with you!! Make it a special treat after they learn the songs well.
- play the songs without turning on the volume on the keyboard if you have one. (make it a silent exercise.)
- play the songs with a rhythm if you have a keyboard... that would keep the children going!! Rock'n'roll!!!
Lastly, an auditory music learner always is weaker on their note reading. So use your MYC tinsheet to good use at home, and make it a fun game to review all the storys of the critters. Use a dice to have the children tell the story. Get a "Critters meet the Staff" CD to play in the car or in the house. Anything to help the auditory music learner to strengthen their note reading will definitely worth it!!
Keep up the good work, parents!!
Ms. Esther Ng
1 comment:
ya.....now a days children are more interested to compose their own music.....while browsing i found that fleximusic kids composer software is so simple way to teach music....just try it......trail avail.....
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