Long time no see

I thought I should drop a line as to explain why this blog is so quiet since october last year...

Well... Music & Giggles is in process of moving!

I am no longer in Scotland since november last year, and had to stop all the music school's activities as I am moving Down Under! Still waiting "patiently" for visas and stuff, which is proving to be a longer journey then we thought, but, hey, never give up, right?

And here I am, missing my teaching like mad and full of energy to start again.

But, as I don't really know when all this moving is going to happen, I will leave you with some pictures of the wonderful cards and presents that I got from my little students and families from Edinburgh.

I left with a warm heart and with unforgettable memories of all my time in Bonnie Scotland!

Thank you all!

Lovely leaving cards

Art work from the children and presents

Picture of Edinburgh Castle from mums and dads!

Babies feel the beat from birth

Babies have got rhythm - and that could help pinpoint possible problems, according to academics.

Their brains can detect subtle changes in musical beats and the pitch of notes, according to the findings of a ground-breaking research project led by the University of Plymouth.

The three-year European-funded project included a study in Hungary of how babies perceive the world when they are born.

Researchers there discovered that, even at such a tender age, they have a real sense of beat.

Project co-ordinator Dr Susan Denham, of the University of Plymouth, said the findings could be adapted for use in a variety of screening programmes in the future.

"This is one of the first studies of its type and what is perhaps most significant is that, not only do babies' brains register changes in beat, pitch and simple melodic patterns, but they do so more or less automatically, as they are fast asleep during these experiments.

"The results of this study mean that it could be possible to screen children at a much earlier age to identify potential cognitive problems which might lead to poor development."

http://latestnews.virginmedia.com/news/tech/2008/09/22/babies_feel_the_beat_from_birth

Talented Mum

Sally brings Finlay to the Our Time class every thursday, and one day she brought me this CD that she wrote, arranged and performed herself! 

 

Zootopia is a unique album of original children’s songs, immaculately performed by enchanting animal characters. With educational lyrics and infectious melodies it will have the whole family singing along in no time! It’s a great way to introduce your kids to a wide range of musical styles as the songs encompass reggae, jazz, gospel, calypso, country, 80’s pop, ska and lullaby; everyone will have a favourite!

Sally is a professional singer/songwriter and she has masterfully pulled off a modern-day children’s classic with Zootopia.

It’s fantastic for car journeys, parties, sleep times and day to day fun! It also makes the perfect children’s gift.

You can purchase through her website, where you can also listen to some of the tracks! Check it out:

www.funkyfrogmusic.com

Are you a talented mum? Music, crafts, writing, painting, cooking... Anything that you have a passion for it and would like to spread the world about? Let me know as I would love to add your story to our blog!

Get kids more active!

From October, Kindermusik will proudly become an official accredited partner of ASDA Sporting Chance, offering free Kindermusik sessions for children across the UK. 

During the half term, ASDA will be offering free vouchers in their stores in exchange for free activities. 

The Kindermusik free sessions are available for new families only, but you can also find other sport activities to try with the kids and keep them more active! 

Visit their website for more information on Asda Sporting Chance sessions:

http://www.asda-sportingchance.co.uk/free-session-search.php

Suzuki Cello Lessons!

I am delighted to announced the start of my Suzuki Cello Programme here in Edinburgh! 

I now offer cello lessons for children by the Suzuki Method of Music Education. I will be teaching in after-school hours in my home studio in Trinity, and on saturday mornings at St. George's School, in Murrayfield. 

The weekly lesson envolves:

repertoire

singing

solfedge

ear training

ensemble activities

What is the Suzuki Method?

The Suzuki Method of music education is based on the philosophy and teaching methods developed by the Japanese violinist, pedagogue, educator and humanitarian, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
Dr. Suzuki believed in the great potential of music to enrich children’s lives. He developed a method of music education to enable children to play music to their highest possible level of ability.

Every Child Can Learn
Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

Parent Involvement
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that she/he understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.

Early Beginning
The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age four or five, but it is never too late to begin.

Listening
Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.

Repetition
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.

Encouragement
As with language, the child’s effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.

Learning with Other Children
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from an are motivated by each other.

Graded Repertoire
Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.

Delayed Reading
Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. In the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music.

You can find out more about the Suzuki Method in the British Suzuki Institute website: www.britishsuzuki.org.uk

Contact me to arrange your lesson! 

Call: 0131 551 10 42 / 07903 42 00 61

E-mail: monica@musicandgiggles.co.uk

The Brain on Music

Music is so powerful!
Check out this cool interactive brain and see just how music effects all parts of the brain:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/features/theNerve/brain.html

We are on Facebook!

We now have a page and a group for our music school on facebook! A place where you can connect with fellow Kindermusik families and share impressions and ideas. Have a look and add to your favorites! 

Music & Giggles facebook page

Music & Giggles facebook group

Feel free to add my personal facebook to your profile as well, it would be lovely to see you there!