|
MERRIENAN MELODIES
MerrieNan Melodies is designed to enhance any favorite beginning music method. It provides the tools that a newcomer to music needs for a quick understanding of how music notation works. This method has evolved from a desire to help young children learn to read music easily. Since learning to read music is very much like learning a foreign language, it can appear mysterious and complicated at first, especially to young children who are just beginning to read and write words. However, anyone of any age can benefit from and enjoy learning to read music this way. We highly recommend using a keyboard of some sort as an introduction to learning all instruments, as the notes can actually be "seen" on a keyboard. Any keyboard will do, even a child's inexpensive toy keyboard!
The traditional "Every Good Boy Does Fine" and "FACE" approach separates the lines from the spaces, and takes the familiar order out of the alphabet. We have found that learning to write music in the first lesson does away with the need for this approach. A person's name is "near and dear," and with the color code, we figure out how to write our name in music. Because of this personal approach, the MerrieNan Melodies method builds on intrinsic interest. A new learner can then discern the difference between the lines and spaces much faster.
The basic elements of the structure of music are presented as "the big picture" in this approach to learning music. For example, learning scales is taught with a formula instead of memorization of key signatures. The use of color coding notes ensures a new reader will be able to read music accurately until recognition of the notes takes over. Traditional fingerings are not used in this method, as that skill is easily picked up from other methods and with help from the teacher. Our goal is to eliminate the confusion that often happens when new readers attempt to use fingerings instead of note names to identify notes.
MerrieNanMelodiesalso gives 4- to 5-year-old children the opportunity to begin music lessons with our PRE-READING BOOK. The notation is very large with lots of color so that young children can easily see the difference between the lines and spaces. Finger placements are supported with paper hands with colored dots that align with the MerrieNan Melodies system. The PRE-READING BOOK is designed to be used as a preparatory book to the STUDENT BOOK. A CLASSROOM METHOD will soon be available; it will be designed to be used in school music programs.
The most important aspect of MerrieNan Melodies is the combination of writing the notes while composing music rather than only reading music. You may use your music kit however you would like, not limiting yourself to the order of the pages. Enjoy the tools and ideas in this kit for years to come, as composing is always fun and goes to the very heart of creativity! |
