Family Music-Based Activities: Apps and Websites for Music Learning and Games

-
by Heather Dean, MT-BC

If you are wondering which apps or sites are appropriate for your child’s age range, Common Sense Media is a great site. I also use this myself with my own kids to check which movies are appropriate. (Nope, I am "no fun" say my teenage boys.)


Games:
This is for iOS, but soon for android devices. A little intense, it may be better for the older kids.

This looks so fun for younger children — great exercise, plus working on attention and focus. https://www.gonoodle.com/

I like the idea of music-based games because I would rather our kids engage and focus on music rather than anything violent.

Music Learning:
I used this site when I was a piano teacher. Kids loved it. There are free games, but you need the correct Adobe Flash plugin. 
http://www.musiclearningcommunity.com/

I LOVE YouTube for lessons (shhh…don’t tell music teachers). Of course, it is always better to have a personal teacher, but in the meanwhile these are great videos. BONUS — you can pause and rewind to your heart's content. These are just a few videos. There are TONS on YouTube.


This video comes with a chart you can print!

Easy to follow:

Of course there are lots of apps too that can be helpful. Just look in Google Play for some suggestions. 

Mussila Music School offers a 7-day free trial (for kids 6-11 years old).
App for Android
App for Apple devices

Not sure why, but kids seem to go bananas for Tap A Tune (??):

Monkey Drum for Apple: (maybe because I love monkeys?)

Speaking of lessons, these lessons are not free, but there is a site that you can pay for virtual lessons. It is called Lesson Face. Also, local places may offer virtual lessons now if you check around.

Khan Academy is currently offering FREE lessons during this COVID-19 crisis. I personally love the classical music videos.

PLEASE STAY SAFE, FAMILIES, AND BE WELL!

Stay tuned for more ideas from Heather's Family Music-Based Activities series.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Room for Brian

-
Image
   Angela Hospice's donor-supported Care Center     provided Brian with the care he needed -- and        brought his family peace of mind. The Angela Hospice Care Center has always been a community-driven labor of love. From its construction in the early 1990s; to its expansion a decade and a half later; and right through to the present, where day-to-day operations are supported by the generosity of donors and friends – the Care Center is a rare and valuable community resource made possible by Angela Hospice’s caring supporters. It’s also a godsend for families like the Wilson’s. When their son came to stay with them over Christmas last year, the brain tumor he had been determined to fight for nearly 11 years began to overcome him. At 30 years old, Brian was 6’2” and his disease had progressed to the point that he could no longer walk on his own. How would his parents take care of him in their home that was not wheelchair accessible? ...
Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Ingrid Lasley

-
Image
Name: Ingrid Lasley How long have you been a volunteer? I started volunteering about 2 ½ years ago. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I cover the receptionist desk for lunch hours, which includes telephone calls. I have covered Tree of Life shifts for the past 2 years and plan to volunteer again this season. I also have been involved in numerous mailings and last year’s Walk of Remembrance. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I stopped working a few years ago and decided I could use my spare time best by volunteering. I am enjoying every minute! Why Angela Hospice? Ingrid with fellow volunteer Geri Orlowski My mother passed away in 2012 in Buffalo, NY, and after witnessing the treatment my mother received at a hospice facility there, I knew I wanted to be part of such a kind and caring group. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I have enjoyed meeting so many people who have demonstrated so many ways one can g...
Read more

Detroit Catholic Central Moms Celebrate Hospice Workers During COVID-19

-
Image
A group of Detroit Catholic Central High School moms decided they wanted to do something special for our clinical staff, who have been working so hard in the midst of this stressful COVID-19 health crisis. The women coordinated with nurse Kelly Campbell, Home Care Clinical Supervisor for Angela Hospice, whose son recently graduated from Catholic Central. On Wednesday, the group set up 40 handmade signs outside our Care Center facility and along the driveway, to encourage and cheer our healthcare workers. They also tied big white ribbons around the trees to show support for front-line medical staff. Helen Balmforth, Angela Hospice Development and Special Events Manager, related that some staff members teared up when they saw what the Catholic Central moms had done. “I think, for some, it’s an emotional release to see that,” Helen explained. “I think it has a real impact on people.” The group also brought two large cases of toilet paper. Each roll is individually wrapped so staff...
Read more