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!
If You’re Wearing a Red Shirt…
One thing I’ve noticed when I give a child a pair of rhythm sticks is that it’s extremely difficult for him or her not to make some kind of noise with them. So I made a game out of it.
“If You’re Wearing a Red Shirt” is a simple, repetitive song that directs children in a group to play their rhythm sticks only if they fit the description in that particular verse. It goes like this:
The kids with whom I’ve used this activity get a kick out of the descriptions I choose for each verse — they are usually much more specific and creative than the very basic ones I included in the recording. Sometimes only one child will fit a description, and other times just for fun I’ll choose a description that nobody fits.
The best part is that everyone actually listens carefully and plays their rhythm sticks only when they should be playing. After all, that’s the goal!
The Best of Sunday Singalong
Now that I’ve made somewhere around 60 Sunday Singalong videos, I figured it’s about time to make a list of my favorites — the “best of” if you will.
The very first Sunday Singalong video I ever posted was way back in January of 2010. I recorded it with my old Macbook’s built-in camera, so there is an obvious difference in quality as the weeks go by. I graduated to a Flip Ultra HD camcorder, but will soon try out my new camera (that was the plan for this week, but life got in the way!) which doubles as an HD camcorder.
Anyway, here is the list of my 10 favorites, from earliest to most recent:
- That Yellow Bus
- Good Green Earth
- You Belong With Me
- You Are My Sunshine – My Way!
- Turkey Dinner Dance
- Superbowl LXV Edition
- The Rhythm of Love
- Wave Goodbye to Winter
- Eat Like a Rainbow
- Play the Cabasa!
Maybe you’ve been a Listen & Learn reader for a while and have your own faves, so if that’s the case, please add them to the list by commenting below. Now here’s to another 60 Sunday Singalong videos — starting next week!
Friday Fave: New Camera!
Last night, my husband showed up at my gig and started taking pictures with a camera I didn’t recognize. Little did I know that it was my new camera!
I am by no means a photographer, but I do like to take pictures around my studio, on vacation, and just for fun. My old Canon is a little beat up after three years of use, and recently the flash has started smoking. That’s probably not a good thing! So I was thrilled when Zach dropped the news about the amazing deal he got on this Sony Cyber-Shot.
Not only is the camera packed with great features (like 16x zoom and 3D capability) but it’s also an HD video recorder! That’s the part I’m most excited about. I’ve been lugging around both my Canon and Flip HD camcorder for over a year, but now I can just grab the Sony camera and go.
I’m going to spend some time this weekend playing with my new toy, and I think I’ll use it to record my “Sunday Singalong” video as well. Speaking of that, I better get back to work…
“Time to Sing Hello” Hits One Year Mark
I’ll admit it: I’ve lost track of time amidst this whirlwind of a summer. Back in July, the one year mark since releasing my first studio album, Time to Sing Hello, came and went without notice.
I think back to all the sweat and tears I poured into that CD, from raising the money to make it through Kickstarter, to the week I spent recording in St. Louis, to the performance and celebration I threw to celebrate its release. Every last ounce of effort was worth it, because I learned so much through the process and have an amazing finished product to show for my hard work.
Between selling the album (either as a download or physical copy) through my website and at Songs For Teaching, it does pretty well for something I don’t spend much time at all promoting! The important thing is that the CD made it into the hands for which it was meant — families of children diagnosed with autism.
I’ve had people ask me if I have plans to record another children’s CD. The answer is that I would LOVE to…as soon as I have the time to do so :) And I think it will be much easier the next time around, having been through the process once already. I’ll keep you posted!
A New Continuing Education Opportunity
Kat Fulton is at it again, you guys. First came her boomwhacker videos, followed by her Drumify DVD; now she’s counting down until the launch of her newest awesome resource for music therapists: Online Zen.
She hasn’t released all the details just yet, so I’ll point you towards how you can learn more. Head on over here to watch a video from Kat and sign up to receive a free video entitled Making An Unforgettable Impression Online.
Toasting to 3 Years!
Phew, I got this post in with three hours to spare! My husband and I have been busy celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary in Chicago, including lots of yummy meals, shopping on Michigan Avenue, staying in an amazing suite, and seeing a comedy show at Second City. A wonderful weekend, to be sure. But also exhausting…which is why I’m keeping this short and sweet.
I hope you all had a great weekend too, and that your week is off to a fabulous start! See you back here tomorrow for a post completely unrelated to my personal life — I promise ;)
Sunday Singalong: Anyone Else But You
I have no idea how I did it, but three years ago I convinced my husband to record a duet for the souvenir CD we made for our wedding gifts.
We had seen the movie Juno the year before and both loved it, especially the sweet duet Michael Cera and Ellen Page sang at the end. Anyone Else But You is a song by the Moldy Peaches, and with just a little lyrical tweaking, it became the closer to our CD.
I think Zach regretted his decision to go through with it after receiving some flack from his buddies, but too late! It’s out there for the world to hear now.
Tomorrow we celebrate our 3rd anniversary, so I put together this video of some of my favorite wedding pictures using our duet as the soundtrack. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed already…looking at these pictures, it seems like just yesterday (cliche, I know, but true).
Zach has a fun couple of days planned in Chicago, so we’re off! Enjoy your Sunday.
My Musical Playdate
My almost-three-year-old nephew Mason came over to play last week! This was a big treat, because he lives in St. Louis and doesn’t often spend an extended amount of time in Springfield. So I had to take advantage of this occasion, and Paw Paw (Mason’s grandpa and my father-in-law) captured some great shots of our playdate.
We spent some quality time playing the guitar…
The drums were a big hit, as expected…
Mason enjoyed setting up the handbells and then knocking them down like dominoes…
But the best part of our playdate was the big hug I got at the end.
Essential Facebook “Likes” for Music Therapists
Way the heck back in October of 2009, I posted a list of Facebook pages that I think every music therapist should follow. I still recommend all of them, which you can find right here.
But since that was almost two years ago, it’s high time to share my updated list with you. So in no particular order, here are the Facebook pages that you need to go “like” — right after you finish reading my blog :)
- Music Therapy Connections – Yes, I am shamelessly self-promoting right now. But hopefully you’ve already liked my page!
- Music Therapy Round Table – The latest from the ladies of the Music Therapy Round Table, comprised of myself, Michelle Erfurt, and Kimberly Sena Moore. I suppose this counts as another shameless self-promotion…
- Sound Health Music – Kat Fulton is a music therapy and percussion rock star. She has some exciting projects coming down the pipes that you’ll definitely want to hear about.
- Sonic Divinity – If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Tim Ringgold or learning from him, you have been missing out. Go like his new music therapy business page to get in the know.
- Wholesome Harmonies Music Therapy – Amy Kalas just recently got her new website up and running, and has been on fire! Check out her Facebook page for all kinds of resourceful info.
- Mundana Music Therapy – Megan and Kim are the music therapists behind one of my favorite blogs. They have just embarked on an exciting adventure, which you can follow via their page.
- Music Sparks – JoAnn Jordan is one of the most creative and hardworking people I know. It seems that she has a new song or activity to share just about every day. I’m in awe!
- American Music Therapy Association – Stay up to date with the latest AMTA happenings right on Facebook.
- Certification Board for Music Therapists – CBMT has a Facebook page as well! An endless well of useful information about our profession.
- The Music Therapy Center of California – I love watching the videos that are frequently posted here, along with tons of pictures. Music Therapy in action!
Okay, so help me out here: which pages am I missing? Leave your favorite Facebook pages to follow in the comments below, including your own if I have left it off the list.
Music Therapy Pro is Here!
The countdown is finally over. After waiting anxiously all summer long, Kimberly Sena Moore, Michelle Erfurt and I are thrilled to launch Music Therapy Pro.
Music Therapy Pro is a community. Music Therapy Pro is exclusive information and valuable resources. Music Therapy Pro is all of the following:
- Receiving the business training you didn’t get in school.
- Becoming a savvy networker, online and offline.
- Empowering both beginners and experts.
- Accessing an exclusive online community.
- Downloading relevant information and resources…instantly.
- Learning through bonus monthly podcasts.
- Watching quality step-by-step “how to” videos.
Head on over to Music Therapy Pro to watch a video that gives you the full scoop, and take advantage of our charter membership, which we’ll only be offering for a limited time. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!