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Making connections with composers
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I’m having a hard time forming a relationship with composers. I’m wondering if my children are, too, since I am. We’ve been listening to composers for about a year now, I think. We used Classical Kids Bach and Vivaldi CDs (which were fun!) as well as the Classical Kids CDs that are only instrumental of those same composers. Plus we have Bernstein Children’s Favorites (I think that’s what it’s called). I also did some reading (mostly on my own) about the composers, which I also really enjoyed.
So, now I have a bit of knowledge about Bach and Vivaldi. Plus, I really enjoy listening to the CDs–both instrumental and story. But I’m not doing very well at actually *recognizing* the music. I mean, if I turn on a classical music station, I’m not at all confident that I would say, “Hey! That’s Bach!” Know what I mean?
Is there a better way to form “relations” with individual pieces of music?
With so many composers and so many types of classical music, most people would be hard pressed to recognize who they heard on the radio! We use http://www.classicsforkids.com for free downloads, free radio programs to listen to based on specific composers, as well as other tools. There are about four shows related to each composer and we are using SCM mod 2 and so far they have all those composers. They had all of Mod 1 composers as well. It will take a lot of time and listening to become really familiar with the composers. We naturally pick up what we are exposed to and classical music just isn’t a huge part of our society so being intentional is important. You are definately right to want to make the music a priority for your family and this totally free website is one I recommend to every homeschool family! Oh, and we got two of the Beethoven’s Wig cds (there are 4) for our girls for Christmas though I found them at our library as well. They play fun and mostly educational songs about the composers set to their famous works and then play them again without words. We love them and are memorizing lots of fun facts without even trying.
Thank you for the ideas! I checked out that site and I’m excited! I was also wondering about the Beethoven’s Wig CDs. It seemed like a good way to create a “hook” for my memory–but I wasn’t sure if I’d forever after have that beautiful music marred by silly lyrics!
What do you think? Do you still enjoy the music apart from hearing the lyrics in your mind–or do you always hear the lyrics along with the music?We just returned from hearing Midori perform the Mendelssohn violin concerto with the Knoxville Symphony! What a wonderful experience!! My degree is in piano and both my boys (and myself) are taking Suzuki violin. We listen to music a lot…a LOT. Even with all that, I don’t really recognize very many specific pieces unless they’re ones I’ve either performed or had a specific connection to. We just listen for the pure pleasure most of the time. Sometimes I’ll draw their attention to specific styles, instruments within a piece (especially violins,) etc. The website above is great. Just enjoy listening as much as possible and let the music speak to your children.
I have been listening to classical music, opera and operetta for years and through the years, I have found that with time I recognise a lot of music – however I do not necessarily think that is the important thing – I think if you are listening to your chosen composer for joy and pleasure, and studying bits and pieces about the composer – that is the main thing. I never wanted music to become a chore for the girls – I wanted them to love it like I do. We do go to the opera, ballet and symphony whenever funds allow and that is always a wonderful way to immerse yourself into various pieces. I remember the first time we went and the girls watched the orchestra come out and tune up – we got there early so we could watch, and they were fascinated. I was able to explain which instrument was which, who the lead violinist was, and they were amazed that the racket that was made while tuning the instruments, suddenly turned into absolutely beautiful music by Schubert. If you can even find a free concert in your area, it would be worth going to, for that reason – music on a cd is fantastic, but to see the instruments being played and to hear the different sounds in person is an unbeatable experience. I think sometimes we try too hard to make it educational – really all wonderful music needs is the time to listen and digest – let your children soak it in and learn about the composer without making it a chore – music is to be enjoyed, and it is way too easy to turn young people off – my girls pretty much only listen to the classics now, and have their favorites. My one daughter is a Bach lover and she also loves all music from the Baroque period – she has taught herself lots on the subect herself now. It makes me smile when we go to the doctors, and they ask her if she is listening to Lady Ga Ga or some other such tripe – and she says no, I am listening to Bach – they don’t usually believe her and she then lets them listen. I have never pushed them to love the classics, it has just been a big part of our home over the years. So enjoy and don’t worry. Linda
I have been listening to classical music, opera and operetta for years and through the years, I have found that with time I recognise a lot of music – however I do not necessarily think that is the important thing – I think if you are listening to your chosen composer for joy and pleasure, and studying bits and pieces about the composer – that is the main thing. I never wanted music to become a chore for the girls – I wanted them to love it like I do. We do go to the opera, ballet and symphony whenever funds allow and that is always a wonderful way to immerse yourself into various pieces. I remember the first time we went and the girls watched the orchestra come out and tune up – we got there early so we could watch, and they were fascinated. I was able to explain which instrument was which, who the lead violinist was, and they were amazed that the racket that was made while tuning the instruments, suddenly turned into absolutely beautiful music by Schubert. If you can even find a free concert in your area, it would be worth going to, for that reason – music on a cd is fantastic, but to see the instruments being played and to hear the different sounds in person is an unbeatable experience. I think sometimes we try too hard to make it educational – really all wonderful music needs is the time to listen and digest – let your children soak it in and learn about the composer without making it a chore – music is to be enjoyed, and it is way too easy to turn young people off – my girls pretty much only listen to the classics now, and have their favorites. My one daughter is a Bach lover and she also loves all music from the Baroque period – she has taught herself lots on the subect herself now. It makes me smile when we go to the doctors, and they ask her if she is listening to Lady Ga Ga or some other such tripe – and she says no, I am listening to Bach – they don’t usually believe her and she then lets them listen. I have never pushed them to love the classics, it has just been a big part of our home over the years. So enjoy and don’t worry. Linda
The Symphony Orchestra where we live has a family series of concerts that is a wonderful introduction for children. There are 4 or 5 concerts that are an hour to an hour fifteen minutes in length around a theme appealing to children. Last week’s was The Twins and the Monster from an African folk tale. It had a wonderful narrator whose song and dance together with the music was beautiful. General admission season tickets for all of the concerts for the season are only $15 or $20 each. It is a great value – especially since one hour before the concert they have a variety of activities, our favorite is the symphony zoo where the kids get to try out all of the instruments. Perhaps your area has something similar that you might enjoy.
~ Christie
Easybrizy, you do that – it is the most important thing – just the enjoyment. Christie that is a great idea as well. We live near St Louis MO and the St Louis Symphony have similar kids programs and also the occasional free concert in the park which is great. Anytime you can get your children to see live classical music being played, try and go – it is a great experience and it shows the kids how the music is made. Linda
We’d have to travel a couple of hours for live symphony music–but perhaps occasionally it would be a special treat!
I do sing the lyrics to the songs but they are not even the full versions of the songs so when I hear them on our regular cds or the radio or whatever, the lyrics do not pop into my head really. Could you borrow one from the library to check them out before you invest in one? And while some of the lyrics are a bit silly, they are full of factual information, one even lists in order all the kings and queens of England! I hope I can memorize the lyrics to that one!
What do you think? Do you still enjoy the music apart from hearing the lyrics in your mind–or do you always hear the lyrics along with the music?
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