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!
Sunday Singalong: Three is a Magic Number
I don’t know what it is about these Schoolhouse Rock songs, but they’ve just been invading my head lately! Two in one summer, sheesh. (Here’s the first video, from a few weeks back.)
But it’s true, what I said in the video — I’m reminded of this song each time a couple I know has their first child. One of my best friends is getting ready to welcome a baby girl, so she was the inspiration for my song choice this week :)
Friday Fave: GigBook
I’ve recommended today’s Friday Fave pick to countless people already, because they’ve all been curious to ask about it when they see me using it. This particular resource is one that I use on a daily basis, whether I’m teaching a lesson, providing music therapy, or performing at a bar.
It’s an iPad app called GigBook, and it has completely revolutionized my music collection. I spent a good part of a week converting my sheet music collection to PDF form and importing all of my songs into the program. Now I have all of my music therapy songs, student repertoire, and gig music in one place.
But the best part about this app is that I can separate my music into collections, binders for individual students, and set lists for each gig I play. I can also organize songs by artist, genre, and just about any other category I choose.
GigBook is compatible with my AirTurn, a bluetooth pedal I use to turn pages wirelessly on the iPad. Between that and the iPad mount for my microphone stand, I have quite the convenient gig setup. And as for my day job, no more searching through file folders of sheet music while teaching lessons, or printing out lyric sheets to review before a music therapy session.
The $4.99 I spent on this app is nothing when I take into consideration how well it has served me so far. Have you tried it yet?
Anticipation…Anticipa-YAY!-tion…
Yes, I’m channeling Carly Simon as I write this blog post. The week ahead is full of things I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and frankly, all this anticipation is making me a little stir-crazy!
So in an attempt to ease the butterflies, I’m laying it all out here for you. FYI: blogging is a great form of therapy, even for us music therapists ;)
The launch of Music Therapy Pro. Check out the ol’ countdown clock in the left-hand sidebar…time is ticking down and the big moment is almost here. If you haven’t already gotten the full scoop, be sure to go check it out.
The end of my studio’s summer session. It’s been a great eight weeks of music therapy and lessons, but I can’t say I’m not looking forward to having some down time beginning a week from today.
My first gig with a full band. I’ve played lots of solo gigs, and recently teamed up with an amazing guitarist who I’ve been performing with regularly. But next Friday, I’ll be filling in for his band’s lead singer. I have some big shoes to fill!
There are a few other events on the horizon, including my three-year wedding anniversary (!) and a trip to Chicago, but I’m focusing on these big 3 in the coming days. Are you anticipating anything exciting as these summer days dwindle away?
Goodbyes Are Never Easy, Are They?
Monday was a tough day. I had to say goodbye to two of my very first students ever as a professional music therapist. Addy was only a few months old when she started participating in my music therapy group, and Jordynn, her big sister, was my #1 helper during our group time as well as a piano student.
Fast forward four years. Their family is moving, so Monday was our last day together. You would think I’d have been more well-equipped to say goodbye after just doing so to over 100 students when I left my job at The Hope Institute, but I wasn’t. As hard as I tried not to cry, I was unsuccessful. I have just come to accept the fact that I’m no good at farewells!
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be a classroom teacher, having to say goodbye to an entire class of students every single year. The perk of being a music therapist and studio teacher is working long-term with the same students, and getting to watch them grow up and reach all kinds of milestones.
I know there are more goodbyes in my future, because that’s life…but that doesn’t make them any easier.
5 Days and Counting…
Perhaps you’ve already heard. But if not, head on over to
musictherapypro.com
Why, you ask? Because we’re letting the cat a little further out of the bag with a brand new pre-launch video, that’s why!
Sunday Singalong: The Crawdad Song
I have one of my former classrooms at The Hope Institute for introducing me to this song. They had heard it on a children’s CD and asked if I could sing it during music therapy, and I happily obliged.
I don’t really have a whole lot to say about this song — other than what I already said in the video! It’s just a fun tune that’s perfect for playing in the summertime, and the possibilities for new verses are endless.
Happy Sunday to you. Mine is off to a busy start, but I’m hoping for some downtime this afternoon so I can just hang out, learn some new songs, and maybe even write one to share with you later in the week.
Friday Fave: Heat Wave!
It seems like all anyone can talk about this week — both on Facebook and in person — is how darn hot it is outside. Here in central Illinois, we’ve been under a heat advisory since Sunday…but the truth is, I don’t mind one bit.
Yep, I’m one of those people who likes it hot. It came as no surprise to anyone that I chose to attend college in Florida, and as hard as it was to adjust back to winters in the Midwest, I like the summer heat here. I can even handle the humidity, as long as there is a pool nearby!
All this heated talk has got me thinking about the songs revolving around that same topic. So if you’re currently experiencing a heat wave, too, here are some tunes to serve as a soundtrack:
- “Heat Wave” from White Christmas
- “Summer in the City” by Lovin’ Spoonful
- “Hot, Hot, Hot” by Buster Poindexter
- “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas
- “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey
- “Too Darn Hot” by Ella Fitzgerald
Are you melting over in your neck of the woods? And what songs would you add to my list? (For more children’s tunes about summer, take a look here.) Have a good weekend…and stay cool!
A Quick Fix Can Make All the Difference
Can you guess why Dawson looks so happy in this picture? It could be the fact that he LOVES guitar lessons so much…or it could be that we’ve finally figured out a way for him to comfortably play his guitar.
That box underneath his feet was such a simple solution, but it has made all the difference in the world. We spent Dawson’s first couple of lessons trying to figure out a way for him to keep that giant guitar (comparatively speaking) propped up on his leg. Even though my stools are child-sized, they’re just a little too tall for this situation; and the floor was no good either.
So when I spotted that box underneath my desk — I actually have two of them — I pulled it out and told Dawson to rest his feet on it. Voila, the perfect fix! I now have three or four students who use that box for the same purpose.
I’ve implemented several other quick fixes in and around my studio that have been quite effective. Here are a few of my favorites:
- My “MacGuyvered” ukulele strap (here’s a picture)
- The tubano drum which stands in as a side table while I teach piano lessons
- A waiting room coffee table that provides extra seating (here’s a picture)
What are some easy solutions you’ve come up with to make your life (and your students’ lives, too) a little easier?
Do You Keep Parents in the Loop?
I have found that some methods are more effective than others when it comes to keeping parents up-to-date with their music students’ progress. As in, my old method didn’t work so well…but luckily, my new one does.
Old method: I sent a form home in each student’s binder outlining that day’s assignments, practice tips, and new repertoire. There was a space where daily practice could be recorded, as well as a signature line for both parent and student. While I did have a handful of families who very diligently filled this out each week, most did not.
New method: I send an email to parents (and/or students, if they are old enough to receive email) outlining that day’s assignments, practice tips, and new repertoire. While not all families record practice time in the log provided on my website, many of them respond to my emails with notes of their own, or even specific questions related to the lesson.
I wrote about my method for taking notes during lessons in a previous post, in case you’re curious. But the purpose for today’s post is to stress the importance of parents being involved in their students’ education.
Just today I received an email from a parent:
Thanks for this great information every week! I like being able to show Elly what she needs to do/remind her what she needs to work on.
If the parent values his or her child’s progress, then the child is more likely to do so, as well. My most motivated students are those who are encouraged (but not forced) to practice at home, and whose parents take the time to respond to my feedback and pass it along to their children.
When I was growing up, my mom dropped me off for my piano lesson, I was sent home with nothing but my current piece or book each week, and there was never any communication between her and my teacher. No wonder I didn’t apply myself very well back then!
I love the fact that my students’ parents call me on my cell phone to discuss practice strategies, chat with me before and after lessons, and keep in touch regularly via email and Facebook. All of the above makes me a better teacher, and my students are more successful as a result.
Tally Me Some Fruit!
Last week one of my students’ parents mentioned that her daughter was really into “Day-O” — otherwise known as The Banana Boat Song, by Harry Belafonte. Oh, and my student wondered if there was a version about oranges, too…which of course had my wheels turning immediately.
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate my fruit shaker instruments, so this struck me as the perfect opportunity. I did a little reworking of the original song, and this is what I guess you could call the “fruit” of my labor:
I’m obviously no Belafonte, but I sure am hopeful that my version meets my student’s approval. I have a feeling that getting out the fruit shakers will help!