You might not really be interested in learning how to play “Jingle Bells”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Twinkle Twinkle”, but whether you like it or not these songs will play in your head every time they are mentioned. Don’t let the lyrics of these and other songs distract you from the truly valuable lessons that come from such pieces. Simple melodies provide an array of musical fundamentals in the form of listening, reading, harmony, rhythm and song structure. Some songs are more complex than others but each provides important new lessons and challenges. Patterns in these simple songs can be used as a mnemonic device to help a student identify intervals of melody and rhythm. Students generally become more confident with their listening abilities when they have mastered simple tunes.
I’m not suggesting that you spend all of your practice time on playing these simple songs that you may or may not like. The purpose is to simply learn fundamentals that will surely help you learn the songs you really want to play with more understanding and clarity. All beginning students in various forms of martial arts training are required to wear the white belt as an indication that you are a novice. Music instruction rarely if ever involves a belt system, but students who begin lessons wearing a “white belt” will most certainly have a better chance of success.
Here is a list of some suggested songs and song categories:
Nursery and Children’s
– Mary Had a Little Lamb
– Hot Crossed Buns
– Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Traditional American Folk
– Oh Susanna
– This land
– Yankee Doodle
– I’ve been workin’ on the railroad
– Home on the Range
Patriotic
– When the Saints go Marching in
– Star Spangled Banner
– America
– My Country ‘Tis of Thee
– Auld Lang Syne
– Taps
– Oh Canada
T.V. Themes
– Jeopardy
– Flintstones
Christmas
– Joy to The World
– Here Comes Santa Clause
– Silent Night
Other:
Happy Birthday
Take me out to the ball game
Hail to the Victors
Hava Nagila
Free Group Guitar Class offered :
Ever wanted to learn guitar? Many of us have and now is your opportunity to try guitar playing with a FREE 4 week class offered by Grosse Pointe Music Academy at the Harper Woods Public Library. Students will learn guitar fundamentals that will get you playing chords, notes, and songs in no time! Students will receive picks and a basic notation book with blank music, chords, and fundamentals. Class time is 7pm-8pm Monday August 8th-August 29th. The class is free but you will have to register because space is limited. Contact the Harper Woods Public Library for Information about signing up.
Posted by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff
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