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The flute is both an ancient and modern musical
instrument. Various versions of flutes have
existed throughout history in virtually all
cultures: Indian, Chinese, South American,
Irish, African. In some parts of the world
their flutes been have transposed into their
own national art form, like the Japanese shakuhachi
and the Native American flute. In the Western
world, Theobald Friedrich Boehm is the man
behind the their modern adaptation (what most
westerners think of as a flute). Flutes come
in all sizes and shapes and are made of any
of a number of materials like clay, wood,
nickel, silver, gold, pearl, plastic, ceramic
and bamboo. Some are small, like the ocarina,
penny or tin whistle, pan flute, recorder
or nose flute. There are many different fingerings.
Some play chromatic and some are pentatonic
scales, and how they finger varies with the
model. Chromatics can play each sound in major
or minor keys making them quite versatile.
Some are players by ear while others playing
primary by sheet music. Alto, tenor, bass...
you name it. You can play solo, in duets or
a trio, in an ensemble, in a jazz band or
brass band, opera, or orchestra...(continuted below)
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Music and the Young Child
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Having operated a successful Family Child Care in my home for over 10 years, I have had many opportunities to introduce various aspects of the Arts to young children. Being naturally musical myself, providing a musical curriculum to my kids was a simple and obvious way to enhance the daily activities of my child care and my own children as well.
Children respond to music at a very young age. Nearly everyone can remember their mother or grandmother singing nursery rhymes to them as little children. I have vivid memories of swinging outside and singing Hey Diddle Diddle as loudly as I could just to hear the sound. With my own children I have always used music to calm and entertain them; singing softly to them in the rocker or energetically leading them in finger-plays and sing-a-longs. However you may choose to do it, singing or playing music with children gives them a beginnings of music appreciation, not to mention the special memories that are created.
My son is a wild and wholly two-year-old, and greatly affected by his environment and the sounds and sights he encounters. Getting out of control is very easy with this little boy, and its up to me to find ways of calming him down and quickly distracting him and hopefully changing his mood. Music affects a childs mood, and quiet, comforting music can relax an anxious child. Its amazing the way my son reacts to his special CDs that he knows and enjoys. Often hell just stop what he is doing and Ill see him stand and look toward the stereo and just sway and sing to himself.
Children will naturally relate movement with music giving them the opportunity to explore their own creative expression. They love to act out movements to the songs such as moving around the room like different animals based on the type of sounds they hear. They can explore how their bodies move and their physical coordination begins to grow and develop as a result.
Music activities in group settings help children develop social and interactive skills by sharing the activity with the other children around them. They love to join hands and form circles while singing simple nursery rhymes and dancing around together. Friendships are made easily when children share musical activities and even the shyest child can join in and become part of the group.
Recommended Music for Young Children:
• Sing Dance and Play - Genius Products • Babys First: Animal Songs - Various Artists) • Walt Disney Records : Childrens Favorite Songs, Vol. 1 : 25 Classic Tunes - Disney Cast) • Best of the IQ Builder [2001] - Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), et al • Childrens Songs [2001] - Genius Products • Sesame Street Platinum: All Time Favorites (Blister Pack) - Sesame Street • Babys First: Playtime Songs - Various Artists • Magic Mozart (Baby Genius Classical Series) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer) • Favorite Nursery Rhymes - Genius Products • Favorite Childrens Songs [Box] - Genius Products • Babys First: Nursery Rhymes - Various Artists • Toddler Favorites - Favorites Series • Night Night Classics - Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), et al • Sweet Dreams Lullabies [2001] - Genius Products
Introducing music to young children will provide them with a foundation to help develop language and listening skills, along with enhanced coordination and emotional development. Little children love to express themselves through music and given the opportunity, will reap the benefits of a lifetime of music appreciation.
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About the Author: Sherry Frewerd is a Proud Work At Home Mother of 3 musical children. A Family Child Care Provider for 10 years, she also publishes several websites, specifically http://familyplayandlearn.com, Family Play and Learn: Play and Learning Resources for Parents and Family Child Care Providers.
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...flutes will
play in harmony with other woodwinds, strings,
guitar, piccolo, and percussion instruments
when used to accompany. As a flute plays one
note at a time (can't play chords), the flautist
can make beautiful melodies by playing with
others. Flutes have been used with just about
every genre of music imaginable, new age,
classical, rock, punk, hip hop, country western,
Christmas, wedding, sonata or folk... any
song. From Jethro Tull to the virtuoso composer
Mozart who wrote his famous Magic Flute masterpiece...
to Beethoven (who was blind in his later years).
Are you a student, teacher or both? If you
are a self learner, you could study a free
lesson found on the Internet. Or you could
learn and buy sheet music, a chart, and perhaps
a complete curriculum from a company that
specializes in correspondence courses. There
is no shortage of companies that you can buy
accessories from like cases, printable sheet
music, stands, new or used flutes. Gemeinhardt,
Armstrong and Yamaha are each a popular flute
maker today.
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