Music to Calm, Relax and Soothe

We began this week by diving into music making. Group members were invited to select an instrument they would like to play following a brief demonstration about each musical item. Each person layered in their musical contribution until we were all playing in unison. After we finished playing, group members shared that the music evoked a feeling of relaxation. We discussed how music can be used to relax and soothe, and how music can pull us into the present moment. The group decided to engage in another improvisation, this time with the intention of crafting a peaceful, content, calm, and relaxing soundscape. In contrast to the first musical experience, we had decided as a group to create an improvisation that sounded a specific way. We played music for longer this time, following the chosen direction of creating a peaceful soundscape. Some group members closed their eyes while playing, others appeared fully absorbed in their instrumental playing. Group members shared that they felt we had achieved the sentiment of peace and calm. Following the improvisations, the group shifted into active music making by forming a bell choir. Each group member selected one bell, with each bell representing one note in the major scale. They were presented with colour coded cards for each chord, and played when cued with their specific note. Together, we played each chord one by one, remarking on how different they sounded. Once we had practiced the bell choir a few times, we moved into creating a version of the song Lean on Me, by Bill Withers, using the bells. First we listened to the song while following along with lyric sheets. We discussed how the song lyrics resonated with us and how we found them meaningful. We then grabbed our bells and together played and sang the first verse of Lean on Me. As we were coming to an end, the group was asked if they would like to craft something calm or energetic, group members asked for both. We decided to improvise one final time, starting in a place of calm and growing into the sound of energy and joy.

I'm Yours

On this weeks classes we had a lot of fun and made progress on our instruments. Piano class students practiced chord changes and bass patterns. Ukulele students focused on chord changes and the song I’m Yours.

Music and Math

Unfortunately our student was delayed getting picked up from school and wasn't able to make it back to Arise in time for his lesson. However, I chatted with the staff about our student’s learning style, to see if there was anything that might help me connect with him better, and they mentioned that he is mathematically inclined, so I'm looking forward to exploring patterns and time signatures with him. Apparently he's been playing the ukulele a lot already, and singing! I'm sure next week we'll be right back on track.

Full Moon Class

When I signed in to Birkdale, the staff member at the desk told me it was a rowdy day for the kids, and that they always seem to get like this on the full moon. I opened our check-in with a full moon practice of saying something you want to bring in to your life this week and something you want to leave behind. The kids had lots to share, and then we warmed up physically with a great shake out, which a bunch of the kids had never done before. We warmed up our voices with solfege and transitioned that into harmonies and intervals within the solfege scale. Then we practiced dynamics, singing together and in parts, and it was a joy to see the kids have so much fun exploring the full range of their voices. A lot of them already seem quite comfortable singing, so I feel optimistic about what these kids will be able to sing and perform together.

Shake It, Baby, Shake It

What a fun music class we had this week at Robertson house. With the energy level through the roof, the kids who packed the room were engaged from start to end. We sang movement songs and played freeze games. We played shakers for our jam and sang Shake It, Baby, Shake It.

Engaging the Older Children

Yesterday's class had more school-aged children in it than usual. My lesson plan going in was a little more catered to toddler age, but I was able to adjust the content as I went along. It turns out the children LOVED the song, Sticky Sticky Bubblegum, and also had a great time with the song Bath Time. With the older children I encouraged them to do the hand signs to teach the younger children, and I asked them more questions, such as, "What do you bring in the bath with you?" One child went and got her bath toys and then we pretended to put her bath toys in the imaginary bathtub while singing along.

Another highlight was when I brought out the tingsha bells. We used this instrument in a sound meditation exercise where I had all the children and grown-ups close their eyes and put their arms up for as long as they heard the sound vibrating from the bells. All of a sudden this energetic group was silent and enraptured with the exercise! In fact, it was a grown-up, who started humming along to the bell and giggling, who broke the silence, inviting the other kids to giggle as well. It was a really fun moment :)

A Soft Place to Land

We had five women and two newborn babies attend our session today. We focused on recognizing the strengths that exist within us, and it was a very supportive and open session. The women shared about what inspires and gives them courage, and they each shared a song that holds significance to their story. There were a few tears shed, but also lots of laughter and kindness throughout the session.

Growth in Music

Today we began with music listening and sharing. I asked the group members what they would like from the music today, they answered "peaceful". I shared a song of peace and we engaged in listening while following along to the lyrics. I then invited group members to share a song that was meaningful for them. One group member shared a song of meaning, together we listened and discussed our thoughts on the piece. The group then requested a shift, from peaceful to energetic. We put on a celebratory dance song that had us all tapping our feet and moving in time to the music. We used this energy we obtained from the music and began to make our own musical improvisations. Group members were invited to select an instrument and instructed to choose a number between 1-4. Using four beats, each group member played their instrument on the chosen beat. We laughed as we all tried to keep track of where our number was in the musical pattern. We levelled this up to two numbers, and eventually to 8 counts of music. We listened as the patterns shifted and evolved as group members added more and more beats to their playing. After this musical warm up, we created improvised music on the theme of celebration and joy. We then played together with an emphasis on growth, starting soft as a group and then growing together until our music was strong and present in the space. Group members shared that they liked the way this musical growth sounded. Everybody switched instruments and we played together one last time on the theme of growth in music.

Classical Music and Chord Changes!

This week, the piano students at Redwood learned more parts of the classical piece, Fur Elise, by Beethoven. We all took turns playing it on the piano, reading the sheet music, and learning the correct fingering to comfortably reach all the notes. Ukulele students practiced our basic chords, and learned a couple more, as well as rhythmically changing from chord to chord.

Where the Wild Ones Are

The young group at Ernestine's is full of bright and silly energy. We are working on using medium voices instead of "loud." When I say "loud," whatever you are thinking, think louder. We are taking very small baby steps towards a somewhat focused class. This class everyone took turns playing the guitar! They were all respectful of the instrument and used the guitar pick with delicate care. When each person was finished their turn, we all cheered for their music! It was so wonderful to see everyone working together to share the instrument.