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!
How Do You Learn New Music?
I’m always learning new music, whether it’s for a music therapy session, voice student, performance or gig. Many times I might have the words or lead sheet with chords in front of me, but not necessarily the melody line — which means I need to have it down pretty well.
My go-to method for learning new tunes is to either download the song or record it (if I wrote the song myself) and then make a playlist that goes everywhere with me. Spotify has come in very handy for this purpose, since I have the app downloaded on my laptop, iPad, and iPhone. I listen to the songs in my car, while I get ready for my day, at the gym, or while I’m doing mindless tasks at the computer.
This method works well enough, since it allows me to multitask. But I always wonder if there is a better way…now more than ever, because I have a gig coming up in less than a month that requires me to learn about two hours’ worth of new music!
So I’m curious: how do YOU go about not only learning new melodies, but getting them to stick? Please share your own method in the comments!
Get Yourself a Snack Pack (It’s Free!)
What better way to start the week than with a free download? Better yet, a free download from one of my favorite children’s musicians? If you haven’t already, go grab Justin Roberts’ Snack Pack EP from Amazon.
Big shout-out to my friend Lisa Casciola, who not only gave me the heads up about this free download, but also introduced me to Justin Roberts in the first place. She gave me a copy of his Yellow Bus album way back during my internship, and I still play songs from it for my students to this day.
Have you downloaded any other great music for kids lately? I mean, of course, besides any song or album from the Listen & Learn collection ;)
Sunday Singalong: Remembering 9/11
On September 11, 2001, I was getting ready for my first class of the day when I heard the news on the Today Show, just as it was happening. I watched as the second plane hit the Word Trade Center, and then I went to class. The rest of that day is a blur; all I remember is sitting in the basement of the student center with what seemed like the entire student body, watching hours of news footage and feeling completely numb. I was a college freshman, one thousand miles from home.
You’ll probably read and hear dozens of stories like this today — I already have, just scrolling through my Facebook news feed. Ten years may have passed, but I think for all of us, the tragedy of 9/11 is still as fresh and raw as if it happened just yesterday.
Today is about remembering those who died, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who have fought to protect us. Today is about calling your parents, hugging your child, and being thankful for every single one of life’s blessings.
Never forget.
Friday Fave: A Blue Kind of Day
Today is the first completely and utterly BLUE day we’ve seen in months. When I say blue, I don’t mean blue skies; I mean blue as in clouds and pouring rain. A real bummer of a day, truth be told.
So why in the world is this the topic of today’s Friday Fave? Well for one, we really needed the rain. And two, this blue day gives me the perfect opportunity to participate in Music Sparks’ Blue Challenge!
I’m always putting together playlists to suit or shape my mood (for example, here are 10 songs that just make me feel good), so why not make one for a blue day like today? I have a long list of projects to work on before my first student arrives this afternoon, so here are the tunes that will serve as my soundtrack:
- Set Fire to the Rain (Adele)
- Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
- Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
- Have You Ever Seen the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
- Rainy Days and Mondays (The Carpenters)
- Blue (LeAnn Rimes)
- Rain Roll In (Eilen Jewell)
- Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin)
- Rain is a Good Thing (Luke Bryan)
- Singing in the Rain (Gene Kelly)
It’s funny, but as I listened to these songs, I actually started to feel less and less blue. Surprising, considering every one of these songs has either the word “blue” or “rain” in the title! What songs are on your “blue day” playlist?
Fellow bloggers: you should participate in the “Blue Challenge” over at Music Sparks, too. You still have two days to do so! A big thanks to JoAnn Jordan and Laura Crum for coming up with such a fun idea.
Back to School Makes for Better Students
A funny thing happens when my students go back to school: they become more focused and dedicated musicians. Am I the only one who has noticed this?
Of course, that’s not to say my students are not focused and dedicated during the summer. But even I can admit that it’s easy to slack off a little bit in those three months, when life is just a little slower-paced and there are vacations and fun outdoor activities calling my name. There’s a definite transformation that takes place at the end of August, and I’m lovin’ it.
The link between school and improved performance at lessons is easy to understand. First of all, my students are back into a regular, structured routine. Practice time must now be built into their schedule, since they also have homework and extracurricular activities to squeeze in. I’m a lucky teacher in that most of my students’ parents are great about making sure practice is included in those tight schedules.
Secondly, the discipline my students learn at school is carried over to their lessons. They know that there are rewards (both intrinsic and extrinsic) for completing their schoolwork and performing to the best of their abilities in the classroom; they start to seek that same level of achievement musically, as well.
Third, I think there is also a little bit of peer competition at play (and I’m not complaining). Many of my students are classmates at school and know that they share the same piano or voice teacher. Now that they see each other on a regular basis, I know that they compare notes on which pieces they are practicing, how far along they are in their methods books, which Greyson Chance song they are singing, etc. I always stress to my students that everyone progresses at their own pace, but an extra boost of motivation is not a bad thing.
I know that most kids are under a lot of pressure when it comes to school and other activities, which is why I do all that I can to make music lessons an enjoyable experience. The fact that being back in school gives them that extra focus and dedication they need to continue increasing their skill level? Well that just makes my job even better, if that is even possible.
Brand New Key(s)
My search for a new keyboard has finally ended! As of Monday, I am the proud owner of the Casio Privia PX-130 — my “brand new keys” as my friend called them in reference to the old country song, which I perform frequently at gigs.
But to tell you the truth, the latest addition to my instrument collection isn’t actually brand new. When I first asked for help finding the perfect keyboard, I received a few tweets (including one from my music therapist friend Allison) recommending the Casio Privia.
I checked it out and was impressed by what I saw — it had 88 weighted keys just as I wanted with lots of positive reviews — but I kept looking. However, I knew it had to be fate when one of my Facebook friends and fans of my business page (hi, Lori!) told me that her boyfriend was selling his barely-used Casio Privia.
He sent me an email explaining that he just didn’t have time to play the keyboard and was willing to give me a good deal. Music to my ears! I thought about it for a couple weeks while I continued my search, but I just kept coming back to this one.
When I picked it up on from him on Labor Day, he told me that he was happy it would get lots of good use. And that it will! I even skipped an afternoon at the pool to play it on Monday, which my friend Michelle Erfurt rightfully commented was a big deal. (I take my pool time seriously, people.)
I didn’t waste any time buying the proper accessories, since the main reason I bought the keyboard was for use at gigs. Thanks to Amazon’s free two-day shipping, I had a gig bag, pedal, and new stand even before I had the instrument in hand.
I’ll give my Casio Privia a proper review once I’ve gotten some real use out of it, but for now I can tell you that I am thrilled with my purchase. Thank you to everyone who provided suggestions and recommendations, and a huge thank you to Lori for leading me to my new keyboard! Who ever said that Facebook isn’t useful?!
Guess Who Just Turned 3!
My little blog is growing up so fast. It seems like only yesterday that I was celebrating Listen & Learn’s 2nd birthday, and now here we are kicking off year #3!
Although technically L&L is still a toddler, I think it could qualify for old lady status in comparison with some of the other music therapy blogs out there. I love seeing new blogs pop up — right now I’m totally digging The Groovy Garfoose among many others — because it takes me back to when I first started mine. If you want to take a trip back to the beginning of Listen & Learn, you can read my first post ever.
Just as I have grown and changed over the years, so has this website. I can’t say for sure what is in store for Listen & Learn this year, but I do know one thing: I don’t have plans to slow down any time soon.
Many of you have been around since the beginning, helping Listen & Learn thrive by sharing your comments, presenting questions that make great blog topics, and passing the link on to your friends.
I hope you’re still here doing the same on birthdays number 5, 10, and 15! (Ambitious? Maybe. But there’s nothing wrong with shooting for the stars, right?!)
A Perfectly Lazy Labor Day
I’d like to tell you I’ve spent this beautiful holiday doing all kinds of productive things, but that is just not the case! Luckily I got enough done on Friday that I can allow myself a day of pure enjoyment.
I started the day by picking up my new keyboard (yes, I finally found it and will give you the full scoop later this week), followed by a stop at Starbucks. I have to admit, it felt good to roll down the windows, open the sunroof, and sip my coffee. No air conditioning needed today.
I had lunch with one of my best and oldest friends, and now I’m getting ready to spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool. And what would this holiday be without a cookout (courtesy of my parents)?
Labor Day, for me, is a signal that summer as we know it is ending. That’s never an easy pill to swallow, which is why I’m filling it with things that make me very happy. Hope you’re doing the same!
Sunday Singalong: The September Song
I recorded this video yesterday, when the temperature was in fact pushing 100 degrees. Today, however, feels much more like September.
This week’s forecast is full of days like today, and as nice as it is outside, I’m sad to see summer come to an end. One of my friends posted on Facebook the other day that his four favorite seasons are early summer, mid summer, late summer, and next summer. I can definitely relate!
But September has its perks, even if it means the end of my favorite season is drawing near. Like, for example, the return of the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks (two more days!). And…well, I’ll think of some other perks and get back to you ;)
Friday Fave: The Most Productive Day Ever
This is the intention I have set for today, because I have no other choice but to complete every item on the long to-do list I composed before bed last night.
Here’s the thing: being in total control of my day-to-day schedule is harder than I thought it would be. I’m an extremely motivated and hard-working person, so I had no doubt I would be disciplined enough to structure my workdays well and get everything done.
But you know what they say about tasks stretching to fill the amount of time you have available to do them? Extremely true — and my friend Kimberly S. Moore (a time management vet who has even written an e-book on the topic) assured me that I’m not the only one who has struggled with this.
So did my mom, who I called just recently to express the guilt I felt due to my lack of super-human productivity. She has lots of experience being self-employed, and possesses more self-discipline than anyone I know. But her comments echoed Kimberly’s as she promised that my struggle is completely normal, and that I will find my rhythm.
Today is the day I find my rhythm. No better day than the Friday before a long weekend. Yes, I have a monster list of tasks ahead of me, but I have a plan. And since I’ve titled this blog post “The Most Productive Day Ever” and furthermore, made it a Friday Fave, my only option is to follow through!