Hearing with your whole body

After watching the video I posted earlier about Evelyn Glennie, a world famous percussionist who lost most of her hearing at the age of 12, I began thinking about some of our activities in Kindermusik classes in a different light.

As adults, we tend to focus on listening with our ears only. Many of us tend to be very reserved about the way we interact with music and sounds around us. Well, maybe interact is the wrong word. We often only just hear, rather than actively listen.

Children, given the opportunity, naturally interact with music and sounds around them. They spontaneously move to music and feel it in their bodies. They cannot contain the emotions that are brought about by music. They express it with their entire being.

With the simple percussion instruments featured in Kindermusik classes, the children are uninhibited in how they play the instruments. They explore not only the audible sounds, but the feeling of playing the instrument as they play rhythm sticks or egg shakers in different ways. As their arms and hands move in different ways, they explore hearing with their arms, hands and fingers.

This is really evident with the zig zag blocks. Some of their favorite ways to play the blocks make sounds so soft that they can hardly be heard but can be felt by the children. They tap them on their faces, their shoes, or their knees. They hear the sound in their bodies. With their shoes off in class they hear the sounds with the bare feet on the floor as the music causes the floor to vibrate.

In music class, they watch other kids keeping a steady beat with sticks or moving a scarf expressively. They see the form of the music in our circle dances as we move in different ways to different sections on the music. They are hearing with their eyes.

One thing that was mentioned in the video was experiencing the sounds around us- not just music. As adults, we do not stop to enjoy everyday sounds. Children are naturally drawn to different sounds in their world and enjoy listening to a train, running water, animals sounds or even the sound of feet walking like we do in class. They absorb these sounds and make them part of their very being.

I know I cannot do justice to the words that were expressed in this video so go see it for yourself! My point is, that somewhere along the way, as a culture we stop experiencing sound with the same wonderment and awe as we had as children. We need to nurture this tendency in children and as adults strive to be a little more childlike in our musical experiences.

To watch the entire video, click here.

Great Kindermusik Deal!

Have you wanted to try out Kindermusik but not had the chance? Our Kindermusik playdates are the perfect solution! Playdates are a single session "pay to play" Kindermusik class. Just like all of our other Kindermusik classes, playdates include a research based curriculum, a take home instrument, recorded music from class and a lot of fun! Classes are scheduled all over Birmingham on mornings, afternoons, evenings and even weekends! This is perfect for mom's group activities, gifts, or just for trying Kindermusik with low cost or commitment.

Each 45 class is regularly $15.00. For today and tomorrow only, you can purchase your playdate at 53% off through Big Bham!

Once you have taken advantage of the deal, visit our playdate website for a list of classes and locations. Choose what is best for your schedule. When you register, be sure to indicate that you purchased through Big Bham and enter your gift certificate code.

Then, forward the information to all of your friends, post it on your facebook page and let everyone else know about it. Playdates are always more fun with friends!