I was very fortunate to have a chat recently with Pete & Corinne from The Musical Me on their podcast, “The Primary Music Show.”

Highlights from “How Do I Teach Music If I’m Not a Musician?”

Using Music

There are many ways to use music. Here are some of my favourites:

• Brain Breaks
• Movement
• Transitions
• Memory Aid
• Calming
• Focus
• Categories

Click here to get the Behaviour Freebie I mentioned in this episode.

Engaging with Music

• YouTube
• Songs
• Whole group singing

NYCOS

• NYCOS Daily Activities Youtube

Kaboom Percussion

• Kaboom Percussion Youtube Channel
• Kaboom Percussion Website
  • Pop Song Play-Alongs
  • Classical Play-Alongs

Crescendo Music Resources

• Music is for Everyone (for 4-5 Year Olds)
• Crescendo Youtube Channel

Play-Alongs

• Songs with Australian flavour – Living in Australia
• Crescendo Rhythm Play-Alongs are featured on my YouTube Channel HERE
  • There is a little trick to slow down the video in the settings wheel on the bottom right-hand corner.
• Musication

Exposing Students to Different Styles

Some things I like to think about/show/discuss with my students:

• Live performances
  • YouTube Videos are great for this!
• Contact/Invite in Parents who can sing or play
• What cultures are represented in your classroom?
• Story books – e.g. Drum Dream Girl
  • Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba’s traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.

Tips for a non-musician

• Please just do it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
• Have fun.
• Repetition – kids love to do things over and over!
• Use children as models for singing if you don’t feel confident singing yourself.
• Improve your skills, give it a go
• Find a friend who can help
• Use quality resources

As Zoltan Kodály said:

Find Kodály quotes on my Pinterest board here

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