 I hope you had as much fun as I did this semester. Instrument Day was a great way to celebrate our time together. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children. I would love to see all of you back to continue the fun next semester in Silver Buttons! Register here: http://www.infusingmusicstudios.com/store/c3/Registration.html  ‘Audiation’ is the process of hearing and understanding music, even when no music is present. Those who develop the ability to effectively audiate learn to think in the language of music — pitch, rhythm, and harmony — much like they learn to think in their native tongue. This special skill is one possible explanation for Beethoven’s ability to continue composing music even though he had become profoundly deaf. Early exposure to meaningful musical experiences aids in the development of this important skill.
Optional home fun activity: Complete any activity from the White Horses semester that you did not already complete. Merry Christmas! Next week is instrument day! I would love to have several people share an instrument or vocal talent! Of course, performing is optional, but we would enjoy hearing from you, your child, or another family member or friend. They can play an instrument (one of our semester instruments would be amazing!) or sing a solo (a song from this semester would be fabulous, too!). We welcome any and all performers! If you haven’t done so already, please let me know what you are planning to share in class. Did you know that playing a musical instrument on a regular basis can help alleviate stress? Playing an instrument can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn lowers the stress hormone cortisol which helps us feel relaxed. Studies have also shown a correlation between playing an instrument and an enhanced immunological response that enables us to fight viruses more effectively.
Optional home fun activity: Do the Instrument Day activity on page 18 in your workbook. (Remember, these activities are optional but can be a great bonding experience to do with your child during the week.) As the end of the semester approaches, remember you can keep the fun going at home until our next class as you continue to use this semester’s materials (album, workbook, instrument, and activities you learned). Your child will think you are just having fun, but you will actually be strengthening his/her newly acquired skills. Listening to music fires up multiple regions of the brain: muscular, auditory, visual, and linguistic. Brain studies show that hearing music triggers a multitude of ‘mirroring neurons’. This means when you watch, or even just hear, someone play an instrument, the neurons associated with the muscles required to play that instrument fire in an attempt to ‘mirror’ the action. It may result in a desire to mimic the specific action and explain why playing “air guitar” is so compelling! Neurologic mirroring may also explain the desire to move to music as well — so put on your dancing shoes!
Optional home fun activity: Color the Circus Dance coloring page on page 17 in your workbook. (Remember, these activities are optional but can be a great bonding experience to do with your child during the week.) |
Clara McDonaldAs a music educator of 25 years, my passion is infusing others with music! Archives
December 2022
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