Our KinderBach lessons are beginning to get more ‘in depth’ with the musical concepts being taught. We’ve now added “Stepping Down” to the “Stepping Up” patterns we’ve been learning for a few weeks. Of course, the pitch goes down on “Stepping Down.” The boys caught onto it right away since it’s a pretty straightforward and simple idea.
I must admit that I had trouble distinguishing between a rising pitch and a lowering pitch during one of the exercises we did. My older son, Nicholas, missed a couple too but James seemed to get them right every time. Maybe I’m just hard of hearing.
In another lesson, we practiced recognizing Stepping Up patterns in low, middle, and high pitches. These are the kinds of lessons that make me glad we can replay the lesson portion as often as we need to. We don’t ever get left behind by a teacher who is moving on with the rest of the class while my family is having trouble understanding.
Most of the time, we all knew the pitch right away (a low pitch is pretty easy to recognize!), but sometimes we wanted to back up the video and listen again…just to be sure.
After getting to know Frisco and Dodi over the last few months, we got to meet another Piano Pals friend last week – Carla the Caterpillar. Carla lives on the key right next to Dodi. She lives on the C key just like Dodi lives on the D key. What a wonderful way to help kids (and grown ups!) remember the letter designations for each key.
I can vividly remember being taught Every Good Boy Does Fine and FACE to remember the notes on the music staff in junior high music class. I vaguely remember hearing something about “middle C,” but I haven’t the foggiest recollection about how to find it on a piano today.
Dodi’s house between the two black keys, Dodi’s key of D, and Carla’s key of C right beside Dodi’s? Now THOSE are memories I know my children and I will keep for the rest of our lives. We’ll never have to worry about remembering how to find middle C. Just find Dodi’s house!
© 2009, Cindy. All rights reserved.
