Music

Music has been delighting our household in a variety of forms.  Both former music majors, Todd and I have a lot of formal music education and the children are aware of this.  But we aren't practicing our instruments all of the time at home.  I play my flute occasionally, and we use our piano to accompany songs the children are singing.  But most of the time, we are listening to music or singing fun songs. 

At home, we listen to Elizabeth Mitchell, Sunday School CDs, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Sufjan Stevens, etc.  In the car we are usually "car ride singers" by nature, but we also enjoy listening to Madison radio (hits from the 70's-80's-90's) and classical radio.  So it made sense recently to check out books on composers from the library. 

The Young Mozart, Play Mozart Play, and Beethoven Lives Upstairs are 3 such children's books that have really been of interest to my children---and myself, for that matter.  We've learned about what life was like as children for these famous composers, how music became part of their lives, how they played, and their quirks (especially Beethoven's).  We have been reading these stories over and over, and it has been fun to listen to their music as well.

This may have led to Clara's more intense interest in the piano.  She had been interested for a while, but she seems to be moreso now.  So, I finally agreed to give her some "Introduction to Piano" lessons after a friend lent me some beginner lesson books.  We've been having a lesson per week for the last few weeks, and she's already learning about quarter and half notes, quarter rests, the black keys, and finger numbers...among other important beginner details.

To top it off, we've been using a book called Folk Songs That Will Make You Sing Your Head Off  which has been loads of fun!  We've been singing "Dear Liza" all day today, and we performed it for Todd tonight. 

Whenever I turn on music during the day or we begin singing, my mood lightens (even if it was already light!).  Good things happen for all of us.  Music is medicine for the soul, and may it always be an important part of our lives!