Many methods on the market attempt to solve this problem.  As all individuals are created so differently, some of these methods do help the individual succeed.  “Note Reading for Young Children” is the “new kid on the block” in the field of music education.  It uses a little different approach based on the widely accepted fact that many people learn by association with knowledge that they already have acquired.   This is especially true for young children, but it can make the road easier for anyone wanting to learn music; yes, even adults.  The great fact about this method is it works!

In the American system of music education, the seven notes are identified by the first seven letters of the American alphabet.  The Animal Note Method uses the oval shape of each of these seven notes and turns them into caricatures of a familiar animal’s face or body.  These notes are presented in the “Note Reading for Young Children” book with a short story/word clue that helps the child (or individual) associate the animal with its position on the Grand Staff of music.  Thus the spots on the paper become friends that smile back at them from the page.  Since children as young as three can recognize the animals, they can begin to learn the foundation blocks of music before their lives become cluttered with all the other important activities of life.

The Animal Note Method is presented in such a way that an individual who has never taught music can successfully teach the beginning skills to their own young children, grandchildren or a friend’s child, bring joy and satisfaction to both you and the luck child you teach.  Yet the method can also successfully be used for older children who struggle with note reading and timing and any adult who has had difficulties learning these skills at an earlier time, and are able to overcome their negativity.

I received an e-mail today from a Mom who had recently ordered some of the books.  She wanted me to know that her 4 year old daughter had had her first lesson.  The books had held her attention and she had not only learned the first couple of notes quickly, but had fun doing so.  Over the last three years I have received many wonderful e-mails like this from many different situations.  It always makes me so happy that the wonderful and enchanting world of music has been opened for another individual.  I truly rejoice.
 

I have two sisters who take lessons from me. The older child is the more focused of the two, but very sensitive and shy.  With her, I must be gentle.  I teach in a gentle, calm voice and give her proper encouragement.  She knows when she receives encouragement that is not deserved, as this is actually an insult to her.  Her little sister is almost as “wild as a March Hare.”  Getting it done is what is important, even if it is not correct.  Her attention span is relatively short, but she is very smart.  She could really care less if she receives a compliment.  She is doing very well and loves to play her animal songs, but she is a challenge to teach.  I do much better when I work with her nature than against it.  She started when she was four and will turn six in a couple of months.  She is ready for the “Moving On” book in her ability, but not in her stage of personal development.  We will stay with fun songs a little while longer.

The Animal Note method is truly wonderful as it allows children to begin music at a young age.  The success rate is terrific, but that success depends on knowing and working with each individual child’s personal rhythms.   For some young children, beginning music with standard music notation is a road to failure as it requires too much concentration and abstract thinking.  Since animals are familiar and friendly, they can succeed, and music can be an essential part of their future.  Study your child and give it a try.

Last Wednesday afternoon I received a phone call from a former music student.  Chris had taken music with me for 13 years, starting when he was 5 until he graduated from high school.  There were four children who had all started in school and music the same year.  They grew up together, and we were all close.  Chris had called to give me some very difficult news — news that was very hard for each of us to handle.  One of the four was gone, killed in a Cobra helicopter that crashed in a Marine Corps training mission in California late Tuesday night. 

Aaron was one of the finest young men I have ever known.  When he started piano at age five, he was such a surprise.  The Animal Note method was in its infancy, and most of my young students were still struggling with note reading.  I told Aaron the animal stories about each note, and they quickly became his friends.  He loved it and progressed quickly in his musical training.  As he grew, he became involved in many worthy activities.  To give him time for everything, he came before school for his music.  Some mornings, he wanted to talk before he played, so we visited about school, family, activities and God.  He truly cared about the people in his life and about his world.  His music became his outlet for both his frustrations and joys. 

When he graduated from high school with honors. he applied and was chosen to enter the Naval Academy where he excelled in his studies.  The only piano available for his use that first year was in the mess hall.  He wrote me that it was really hard to learn new pieces because when he sat down to practice, he was soon surrounded by other cadets anxious to hear him play; he was just that good.  Playing for them brought great joy, but he also loved to learn new pieces and to practice before others was not comfortable.  His second year, he was allowed to have a keyboard in his room with a head set.  An outstanding student and leader of men, his music was his personal passion.

I received a personal call from his parents thanking me for the gift of music given to their son, stressing to me how much it had meant to him in his life.  I thank them for the honor of working with Aaron.  He was truly an outstanding young man, a loss to our world and a deep personal loss to me.

I thank the Animal Notes method of early music education for making it possible to successfully teach children as young as three, sharing their musical development and their lives.  It has opened the doors that allow me to work and share music with some very special young people in my forty plus years of teaching.

At the request of several teachers and parents, I undertook putting my thoughts on teaching basic music theory to children into writing.  Since early in my teaching career, I found that theory was boring, and it often totally turned my students off. They just did not seem to want to understand the basic principles.  Gradually I found ways to explain these principles in such a way that the children understood, and enjoyed what they were learning.  I go back to the basics of math, like how to help them understand fractions, a foundation stone of music rhythm.  This book starts with the simple basics of note values and how they relate to each other.  Most of the material covered is needed in the early stages of music training.  It finishes with a simplified discussion of how scales are built and relate to each other.  It has been received with enthusiasm from the teachers and parents that have requested it.  “This is what I have been looking for, it’s great!” has been the comment of most of them.  I am truly excited about having this available to anyone who wants to have a little different way of presenting basic theory elements to their young students.

The second new book to our website is “Moving On in Music.”  The Animal Notes work hard to help children as young as three play music and do it right.  However, the goal in teaching music is much larger than this.  The Animal Notes make the first step fun and easy. They also help a child develop a love not only of music, but being able to play well.  The Animal Note/standard note flash cards help the child to learn not only the Animal Notes and their word clues, but also transfer that knowledge to the corresponding standard notes.  The “Moving On in Music” book goes one step further in this transition process.  Each three line song is written first in the Animal Notes, then in standard music notation.  Each song has at least one element of theory to be reviewed and practiced.  Again it has been warmly received by the teachers I am working with and the students, who are really enjoying it.  We hope your students will as well.

In December, I told you about Griffin, my little two and a half year old that played his first piece in front of an audience.  He now marches into the piano when it is time for his lesson, and crawls up on the piano bench — ready to play.  I point to the notes to help him keep track of where he is in the song.  I find it best to do this with my younger students as it prevents them from getting frustrated by losing their place.  With each beginning book purchased, we include a free keyboard chart, showing the Animals on each appropriate key. The chart fits behind the black keys to help the children locate the correct note.  Griffin carefully locates the note he needs, and then strikes the correct key.   He is so proud of his accomplishment.  When he plays “Hot Cross Buns” and his Mommy sings along with him, his smile lights up the whole room.

I teach a family with four daughters.  The oldest three girls have been taking lessons with me since last summer.  The youngest turned three in February.  At the first lesson after her big day, this little child with an impish smile rushed to me and announced, “I am now three, and I want my first lesson today.”  Since her interest span is still short, she shares her lesson time with her 5 year old sister.  But she is always first at the piano on the day of their lessons.

Two weeks ago, I started another young man.  He had just turned 5.  He is one of nine siblings, and the seventh to start taking lessons.  He is a quiet youngster, and I was not certain he was ready.  To my delight, he was so pleased with himself and proud of what he was doing.  He could hardly wait to get home and show his Dad what he was learning.  This week I started using the Animal Note/standard note flash cards with him.  At first he was confused.  What was that blank note on the back, and what did it have to do with the animal on the front.  We went over the word clues again with the animal and then flipped the card.  His eyes lit up; “That’s the animal without its face.  Children and their comments are priceless. 

The Animal Notes give security to young children.  They open the door to music for children at an early age, yet provide a way for them to move easily on to standard music and greater things in their musical futures.

Not long ago, I received a lovely set of letters from them, each writing their own personal thoughts about music in their life.  They are gifts I will cherish forever.  I would like to share part of these thoughts with you.

From the oldest:  “I was able to learn and enhance a talent I may never have found.  Piano has become my passion, as well as a great stress reliever when I need to clear my head.  I’ve also been able to share my talent with friends and family, playing in college talent shows and family get togethers.”

Number two shared with me: “I developed a lot as an artist each year through your teaching, and I have so many wonderful memories to treasure now from the years we have shared.”

The third child wrote:  “My experience with the piano and guitar, I’ll never be able to thank you enough for the gift.  Today music is very important to me and I have continued to teach myself by looking back on all that you taught me.”

And the last:  “Thanks you for what you have done for me.  Not only have you taught me how to play beautiful music, but you have taught me how to play it from my heart.  Every lesson you’ve given to me, I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.  No matter how hard of a day I have, I can at least look forward to coming to the piano and playing all my troubles away.”

I am thankful that I have been able to give the gift of music to these young people, the gift that has kept on giving.  The Animal Notes enabled each of them to have a start in music that did not intimidate and frustrate them.  They were able to progress in a fun and interesting way.  Sure they did not always practice as I would have liked, but they stayed the course and I have won a priceless prize.

The new Animal Note method of teaching music makes it possible for you, as a parent or grandparent, to carry on and provide this vital link in a child’s education without too much pressure on a slim family budget.  Yes, it will take a little of your time and patience, but this method is easy to understand and teach so a person with no musical training can help a child learn.  This will not only give your child a beginning music education, but will contribute to positive family time, a value that cannot be over emphasized. 

Your first order should include at the least, the note reading book and a set of flash cards.  A keyboard chart comes free with your first order, and it can be used for the keyboard to practice each song, if nothing else is available.  The book teaches your children the relationship of nine notes to the Grand Staff and to the keyboard. The Animal Note/standard note flash cards allow for reviewing the word clues of each of these nine notes and applying that knowledge to the standard note.

The next step would be to order the Timing Book that helps your child understand rhythm and beat.  As the child progresses, if you do not have a piano or keyboard in your own home, ask a friend, neighbor, or a church if there is a piano your child could use once a week.  Small keyboards are not too expensive and can often be found in the classified ads of your local paper or at a “Goodwill” shop.  When a instrument is available, even on a very limited basis, order a Fun Song book for your child.  It makes any child feel great to play a song they and others recognize. 

The Animal Note method is not only simple to understand and learn, it allows for a successful transition to stand music notation and a successful music experience.  Yes, a music teacher might be out of your price range, or you cannot afford lessons for all of your children, and/or  the school has cut piano from their budget, but that should not prevent you from giving your children the precious gift of music that just keeps on giving for a life time.

Whoa, that is a horse of another color.  “I can’t do this, there is no way.  I don’t know what that note is!!?”   I asked her, “What is the note doing, does it have whiskers like a cat, or is it digging like a dog?”  “It’s a dog,” she replied with a big smile.  Slowly we worked through the song and she conquered it.  Each song was, “No, my other teacher decided it was too hard for me!”  However, thanks to the word clues and the animal they reminded her of, she could master each new piece.  Last week at the music store, I bought a book of five finger popular pieces for her.  She looked at the book with, “I love this piece, and this one, and oh, this one is great!!”  I let her select the one she wanted to play first.  This time there was no hesitation, she note read the piece with joy.  Her stumbling block had been turned into a stepping stone, thanks to the Animal Notes and their simple method of introducing music to younger children.