Free Download: “Little Red Apples”
This is one of many counting songs I’ve written, which focuses on counting both up to 5 and down from 5. I created simple apple visual aides (using red construction paper and then laminating) which my students can then manipulate as we count.
Click here to download the mp3 and lyrics/chords.
P.S. If you want access to my entire collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music, consider joining me over at Listen & Learn Plus!
Friday Fave: Sibelius
Those of you who are non-musicians might not find this particular “Friday Fave” very interesting, but I’ve been spending so much time using this program (and loving *almost* every minute of it) lately that I just had to share. Sibelius
I actually have my mom to thank for my version of Sibelius. My contribution was my student discount, which she was able to apply when she purchased the program a few years back, during my undergrad days. I’ll say that the price is definitely a bit steep, but it has been worth every penny. I used Sibelius to create all of the sheet music for my songbook, after all!
The learning curve for this program is also steep, especially if you are used to more basic software like Finale Notepad (which is what I used prior to Sibelius). But the key is sitting down and experimenting; the more you use it and explore its features, the easier it gets. Here are some of the cool things you can do with Sibelius:
- Scan in printed sheet music and edit it
- Input music using a microphone, keyboard, or other MIDI instrument
- Record playback and turn it into an audio file
- Create worksheets (comes in very handy for studio teachers like me!)
And the list goes on and on. I haven’t even touched half of the plug-ins that come with Sibelius, but I’m hoping to get around to that someday. In the meantime, I’ll stick with my current project: creating sheet music for each and every Listen & Learn song written thus far. I compose my songs in lead sheet form, but now that I have more and more orders coming in for sheet music (you can place yours here), I decided to convert my entire library. I’ve been using Sibelius so often that I’m even having dreams about it, but hey, I could think of worse things :)
Sunday Singalong: That Yellow Bus
“That Yellow Bus” was a February staple in my music therapy classes, and quickly became a student and staff favorite. (I think the main reason is because it shares a title with a certain Justin Roberts song I did last year – that one still gets requested all the time!) Like I mention in the video, it was written specifically for a little guy with bus transitioning issues, but since many of my students do ride the bus, they were able to benefit from it, too.
That is the beauty of what I do: there is so much crossover from one part of my job to another, and so many different situations in which to apply the same therapeutic interventions, activities and songs. For example, many of the tunes I’ve written and shared on this very blog are also included in this semester’s Church Mice class, which is actually where I’d headed in just a little bit.
Which leads me to wonder…is it already Sunday afternoon? This weekend has certainly flown right by, as they usually do. After Church Mice, my husband and I are heading to my parents’ for a cookout with my brother (who is in town for spring break) and his fiancee, and then I’m looking forward to vegging out on the couch and watching the Academy Awards. What are you up to tonight?
Friday Fave: Audible
When I was in elementary school, I only got in trouble for one reason: reading Babysitter’s Club books during class. Not much changed throughout the years; I always had books in my desk, locker, and bookbag, because I loved to read and couldn’t get enough. It frustrated my parents to no end, because they would buy be a new book and I would finish it that very same day.
I still love to read, but these days, I just don’t have the time. How sad is it that I’ve had the same two books laying on the nightstand for two months now? But late last fall, my friend Kimberly S. Moore (a.k.a. Music Therapy Maven) introduced me to a whole new way of “reading” books. Audible is a website that sells audiobook downloads (either a la carte or through a membership) and I am hooked!
As an AudibleListener Gold member, I receive a monthly credit which allows me to download almost any audiobook I want. Not only is the price completely reasonable ($7.49/month for the first 3 months, and then $14.95/month thereafter) but the selection is amazing. I have a huge wish list of audiobooks I plan to download in the coming months.
The #1 reason I love audiobooks is the convenience factor. I listen to them on my iPhone, which I have with me all the time. A few of my favorite times/places to listen: the gym, getting ready in the morning, in the car, while I’m cleaning or cooking, and the list goes on. I recently finished the book Getting Things Done
I’d be curious to hear if anyone else has discovered the beauty of audiobooks, or if you stay true to traditional printed books. Any Kindle readers here? I’d love to try that out, although I’m not sure how much I’d love having one more thing to carry around with me.
Well that does it for this week’s edition of Friday Faves! Thinking ahead: let me know if there’s a song you’d like to see/hear featured in my Sunday Singalong video…it could be one of my own or a cover (think Jack Johnson, Justin Roberts, Laurie Berkner, Jim Gill, etc.). It’s a happy, sunny day here, and I hope the same is true for you! See you again soon.
Wave Goodbye to Winter
Warning: I might be contagious, so don’t come near me unless you want to catch…spring fever! Here are a few of my symptoms:
- jumping for joy at the appearance of sunlight
- impatiently counting down the days left of winter
- the urge to hug the weatherman for predicting warmer temps
- spontaneously breaking into songs about spring
I’ve come down with a very serious case, and it’s only getting worse with each passing day. But I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone in my suffering; it seems that spring fever is running rampant. Have you fallen victim?
The good news is that my spring fever inspired me to write a new song, and every time I sing it, I can’t help but feel giddy at the prospect of birds singing in the trees, warm sunshine on my face, green grass, and blooming flowers.
Wave goodbye to winter,
Say hello to spring.
Clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands and sing!
Sing because spring is almost here.
Sing because the sky will be blue and clear.
Sing with the birds, up in the tree,
Sing and (clap your hands) with me!
Wave goodbye to snow,
Say hello to spring.
Sway side to side,
Oh, side to side,
Sway side to side and sing!
CHORUS
Wave goodbye to cold air,
Say hello to spring.
Wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms and sing!
CHORUS
Wave goodbye to gray days,
Say hello to spring.
Tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes and sing!
In 17 days, we can officially wave goodbye to winter and celebrate the official start of spring. But for now, I’ll settle for a week of sunshine, 40-degree (and climbing) temperatures, and best of all, little to no precipitation. It’s the small victories, you know? After this brutal winter, I’ll take whatever I can get!
Marching Right Along
Is it just me, or did February seem to drag on and on? Thankfully, that dreary winter month is finally behind us and March is here! On the horizon: SPRING, a weekend in Chicago, my puppy’s first birthday, and a week-long break (during which I’ll be recording a CD in St. Louis).
I was so excited about the advent of month #3 that I even recorded a new version of my “March” song. I wanted to pep it up just a bit, so I added some drums, bass and harmonies and this was the final result:
March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.
St. Patrick’s Day will come around,
Find four-leaf clovers on the ground.
Leprechauns and rainbows too,
Clothes of green for me and you.
CHORUS
Get ready for the start of spring,
And all the fun that it will bring.
Soon enough we’ll have spring break,
Let’s celebrate, for goodness sake!
CHORUS (2x)
Even though today is a holiday, March is off to a busy start for me! This whole week is going to fly by, in fact. The clock is ticking, so it’s time for me to get a move on. Happy first day of March (and Casimir Pulaski Day), everyone :)
{List}en & Learn
I’m a list-maker. I usually have at least two or three lists going at once: on my phone (I love the app “A Check List” for the iPhone), in my planner, and on a piece of notepad paper. Not to mention the stacks of lists I’ve made containing ideas and future plans that have their own place on my desk. Saturday is my designated day for tackling those various lists, but I thought I’d make one more before I get to work on them!
1. SleepPhones Giveaway winner Joann wrote to say, “The SleepPhones arrived in Friday’s mail. I used them last night. They are amazingly comfortable and the sound quality is pretty good. Thank you so much.”
2. My Facebook page is hoppin’ lately! Hard to believe there are almost 700 fans…are you one of them?
3. This YouTube video has gone viral, and it’s easy to see why. Who can resist an adorable elderly couple showing off their mad skills on the piano?
4. The Laurie Berkner Band’s blog is a new addition to my blogroll, and definitely worth a visit. I love getting a peek behind-the-scenes of one of my biggest inspirations!
5. Read the Feed! The easiest way to keep up with Listen & Learn is to subscribe to my RSS feed. I subscribe to all my favorite blogs, and then read them all in one place via Google Reader.
I think that’s it for now. My husband and I are finally tearing ourselves away from our Saturday Lost marathon (thanks, Netflix streaming!) so that we can attend to our respective to-do lists. See you tomorrow for this week’s Sunday Singalong video!
Friday Fave: The Magic of iMovie
I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but it’s true: this Friday Fave is devoted to yet another piece of Apple technology. Again, let me remind you that I am in no way compensated for my frequent Apple/Mac related posts; I just really, really love their products :)
iMovie is a part of the iLife package that comes with every Mac, and I recently upgraded to iLife ’09. Up until then, I had used only the most basic features of iMovie to create the occasional YouTube video, but I have since discovered many more of the cool things this program can do. Experimenting with music tracks, still photos, transitions and titles has been way too much fun….it can almost get a little addictive!
I spent some time this week creating a video about my songbook, incorporating many of those aforementioned iMovie features. It’s definitely not perfect, but I’m still learning. Take a look:
What do you think? I had a blast making this video, from taking the photos, to recording the music, to even the tedious editing process. Now I just have to come up with excuses to create more like it…any ideas?
Slow and In Control
My students are movers and shakers, in every sense of the phrase. Walk into any classroom and you’ll see that for yourself, trust me! While this can definitely be a positive thing when it comes time to do some sort of physical activity, it can also be a distraction during structured physical tasks (like carrying a big stack of books!) and other non-physical activities in either a closed or public environment.
I think every child needs a reminder to be “slow and in control” every once in a while, which is why I was so glad when I received a custom-written song request using that very phrase. The actions that I list in the verses are very general and apply to everyday life at home and school, but feel free to replace them with actions that are specific to your student or child.
In most everything you do,
Take a breath and think it through,
Be slow and in control.
Rushing and hurrying is for the birds,
So remember these four little words,
Slow and in control.
When you’re drawing a picture,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cutting with scissors,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re carrying something,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re pouring a drink,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re out in public,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re with your friends,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re doing your work,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cleaning up,
Be slow and in control.
I’m already thinking up different ways to use this song: it could be sung before a task as a way to prepare the child, or even during it, turning the verses into a “slow and controlled” step-by-step guide. How might you use this song, and what actions would you add with your little ones in mind?
Who is Green in Color and 150 Feet Tall?
Why, Lovely Lady Liberty, of course! When one of my consult clients requested a custom song about the Statue of Liberty for her daughter, I jumped at the chance. Having just returned from New York City, I felt inspired by this famous landmark and couldn’t wait to pen a song about the it. My plan was to create something that was both fun and informational, and to be honest, writing this song proved to be quite a challenge. There were so many facts to include, yet so few opportunities for rhymes! But I think it turned out pretty well…what about you?
In 1886, on an autumn day,
People traveled from all the way
In France, to the U.S. to show
Their friendship, they gave what we all know (as)
The Statue of Liberty
This lovely lady came to be
A famous sight, recognized by all,
Green in color, and standing tall.
Green in color, and standing tall.
150 feet high she stands,
On a pedestal, looking over all the lands.
She holds a torch, a tabula, too,
And wears a stola, and sandals, and a crown, it’s true.
CHORUS
She lives on a island in New York, off the coast,
When people visit, she’s a gracious host.
They can go inside, way up to her crown,
And enjoy the view, looking all around.
CHORUS
She’s a universal symbol, for our country,
Of freedom and democracy.
A National Monument, admirable,
She represents the U.S. as a whole.
CHORUS
What other national landmarks and monuments would make great song topics? Now that I’ve tackled the Statue of Liberty, I think I’m ready for another challenge. Amanda Ellis of More With Music guessed that today’s song would be about Abraham Lincoln, and I think she’s on to something…after all, I do live in the Land of Lincoln!
SleepPhones, Superiors & Songs…Oh My!
First things first: it’s time to announce the winner of the SleepPhones Giveaway! (I used random.org to select a random number from the list of comments.) That lucky person….drum roll, please…is musicsparks! Congratulations to you, and a big thank you to the rest of you for entering. Don’t forget, you can receive $5 off your own pair of SleepPhones by using the coupon code “LALM5” when you order online. Stay tuned for upcoming giveaways, and as always, your regular visits to my humble home in the blogosphere are much appreciated!
Item number two on the agenda will be short and sweet, I promise. I just have to take a few sentences to brag about my extremely talented piano students, all of whom scored “SUPERIOR” ratings at our local National Federation Junior Festival. It was my first year as a member of the federation, so this was their first time participating. It’s not easy to get up and play in front of judges and an audience, but my students looked and sounded like pros (as reflected by their high scores). It was a proud weekend for this piano teacher!
Item number three is just a reassurance that yes, there ARE new songs coming your way this week! I’ve had a lot of news and special items to share this past week, but I’m ready to get back to what this blog is really all about. Tomorrow’s tune is about a VERY tall American icon who lives on the East Coast. Any guesses?