Comments for BrillKids Blog

Comment on Authors by Joce Larkin

Joce Larkin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:01:20 +0000

I’m so happy to have come across the brillbaby/brillkids site. As an early childhood professional, I understand the importance of those first critical years of a person’s life when everything is brand new. From the time juju was an infant I tried to see things from her perspective. Imagining being in this new body, and this new space. Developing a feel for her energy in order to make sure she was offered every comfort available to a baby, from a dry diaper to a warm embrace. So entering this world where language is key to communication and basic economic survival, we as parents have the opportunity to introduce this ability at infancy and change the way the education system runs. I truly believe that in the next decade, infant education will become much more popular, to the point where we can truly reform the way we are educating our children in the public education system that truly works for the benefit of our each child’s education.

Comment on Why I Avoid Classical Piano Training for My Daughter (+ Little Musician Update) by Renee

Renee — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:15:55 +0000

I’m at the crossroads where my 8 year old is embarking on Yamaha Jnr Advanced course and I am planning to pull him out and put him in private traditional method of teaching so he can go onto AMEB exams. I have been concerned that he has done 5 years of piano by the Yamaha method and no AMEB quivalent grading to show. But at the same time, I have cultivated his interest in music b’cos of the group environment and solfege ‘fun’ learning methods. I’m not sure what to do.

Comment on Why I Avoid Classical Piano Training for My Daughter (+ Little Musician Update) by Piano Instructor

Piano Instructor — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:19:48 +0000

Hi Krista,

Its nice to hear about you and how your family is carrying on the trend to teach piano to the kids.

Comment on Little Musician Update by vani

vani — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:49:02 +0000

please make it soon KL. We just cant wait….

Comment on Little Musician Update by Michael Rachap

Michael Rachap — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:42:29 +0000

This is really exciting, KL. I can’t wait to see this product, both as a parent and as a sometime music teacher!

Comment on Little Musician Update by Little Musician Update | my blog

Little Musician Update | my blog — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:21:53 +0000

[...] more: Little Musician Update Uncategorizedbeen-learning, enhance-the-experience, experience, kept-wanting, trained-pianist [...]

Comment on Why I Avoid Classical Piano Training for My Daughter (+ Little Musician Update) by Little Musician Update

Little Musician Update — Mon, 30 May 2011 16:00:57 +0000

[...] promised in an earlier blog post (Why I Avoid Classical Piano Teaching For My Daughter), here is an update on Little [...]

Comment on TV = BAD? What exactly does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend? by Updates to “Common Criticisms” and “TV=Bad?” Blogs

Updates to “Common Criticisms” and “TV=Bad?” Blogs — Fri, 27 May 2011 09:49:14 +0000

[...] TV = BAD? What exactly does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend? [...]

Comment on Common Criticisms of Teaching Babies To Read by Updates to “Common Criticisms” and “TV=Bad?” Blogs

Updates to “Common Criticisms” and “TV=Bad?” Blogs — Fri, 27 May 2011 09:47:40 +0000

[...] “Common Criticisms Of Teaching Babies To Read” [...]

Comment on Why I Avoid Classical Piano Training for My Daughter (+ Little Musician Update) by Krista

Krista — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:18:40 +0000

KL,

I really enjoyed your post. As a former piano player I can relate to what you said about not being able to play without a piece of music. It is quite sad. Unfortunately, many children do give up. I did after 7 years of lessons. My parents would ask me to play and unless I had a memorized piece or sheet music I was incapable of playing anything.

Fast forward to today. Four of my children have learned guitar. They did not learn to play scales and notes but have learned chords. They were able to make music at their first attempt. This positive reinforcement and joy in playing music they like has led them to learn more and more about the guitar. It amazes me because within a few months of playing they were writing their own music. Now, 2 1/2 years later they have developed into skilled players and songwriters. They have surpassed others who are taking lessons and I believe this is because they are able to understand music as an extension of themselves, as you quoted above. They can pick up a new song quickly and pick out the correct chords to songs they have heard.

I am not certain if this is similar to solfege, but I have seen through my own experiences and those of others that unless we truly understand music in the way you have described, we are just mimics with little or no creativity or understanding.

My father taught himself to play the piano through chords as well. He can sit at the piano and play music at any time without practicing. When he sits down, everyone gathers around to sing along. How I wish I had acquired this skill instead of taking years of lessons that allow me to play nothing without arduously practicing.

Interestingly enough, my girls have taught me to play the guitar. I understand more about music now, in just over a year, than I ever did as a child taking lessons. I may not remember the names of the strings on the guitar, but I can make music. Certainly if I had more time to play, my playing would improve, but within a few months of playing I could make music, something I never experienced as a piano student.

I look forward to Little Musician. I am sure it will be an answer to many parent’s prayers.