April Composer- Woody Guthrie

Finally a Guitarist Composer. Can I hear an amen?

I love Woody for several reasons....1. He's an Oklahoman 2. He wrote the songs of a people, a generation in hard times 3. He wasn't wealthy and showy as most modern musicians, he lived simply, he sang because to not sing was just not gonna happen

He was not the best singer.
He smoked, not a healthy choice.
He died young. in his 50's
He wrote ALOT of songs....

You tube songs....



Look for this painting if you visit the capitol building in OKC

And click here to learn more about the Woody Guthrie Festival in July

February Composer- Scott Joplin

in honor of African American History month-

Scott Joplin- 
born mid century 1800's outside Texarkana (making him the closest composer geographically to us)

was given FREE lessons and took advantage of it

named the father of ragtime

wrote lots of music, mostly played first then put on paper, had a huge hand width, that's why a lot of the orginal music has huge intervals in the left hand

He music is fun and lively and continues to be a favorite among piano students

link to Bailey Bowman performing the Entertainer

fun trivia about Joplin

a radio show to listen to about Joplin

homeschool or extra printable activities 

January Composer- Chopin

Chopin was an interesting man.

He wrote strictly for the piano.

He died early and was buried in Paris but his heart was taken back to Poland, the land of his birth. Literally they sent it back!

Here's my college piano professor at Chopin's grave in France...

a good kid friendly link

http://www.classicsforkids.com/composers/bio.asp?id=13

don't forget to check out the activities/games on there, there's a great note reader game!

And the song of the month, one I'm memorizing currently....Prelude in A Maj

November Composer- Haydn

We've been having a lot of fun with these composers.

Mr. Franz Joseph Haydn was quite funny at times. We'll be listening to the Surprise Symphony this month in lessons. It starts piano and has an abrupt forte about 30 seconds into, it was to awaken the sleeping audience he sometimes wrote for. He had the privilege of serving in a castle for royalty on a regular basis.




A couple of good websites to check out-

this one has free sheet music and coloring pages

http://www.makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library/hey-kids-meet-franz-joseph-haydn.htm

http://www.dsokids.com/listen/ComposerDetail.aspx?composerID=14

http://www.classicsforkids.com/composers/bio.asp?id=27

October Composer- Bach

Welcome back.

We'll get right to it- our composer this month is JS Bach. He was born in Germany in 1685 on March 21st. How old would he be on his birthday?

I thought my guitar students would like this!

Here is a fun website about Bach especially for kids-

http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/showdesc.asp?id=31

Be sure and listen to the toccata at the end. You'll hear it again!




What instrument is being played? Is there more than one? I like the visual line on the video, helps you see the direction of the melody.

Here's some informative and fun videos about him.