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Fun and Structured

Musika classes are based on the Colourstrings approach to early years music teaching which puts the emphasis on unaccompanied singing, so there aren't lots of distracting backing tracks. The classes are structured and age specific in order to provide a step-by-step learning progression which mirrors the abilities of the children. The classes are 30 minutes long and will never have more than 10 children in them, helping to maintain a calm atmosphere where children can gain confidence whilst building their concentration levels and social skills. 

The Songs

The voice is the first instrument, so the quality of the songs in the sessions is really important. Many of the songs we use are not the usual nursery rhymes (you won't hear 'Wheels on the bus' or 'Old Macdonald'). A large number of the songs we use are found in the 'Colourstrings Singing Rascals' books. These songs are often based on simple European folk melodies or composed by Hungarian composer and musical educator Zoltán Kodály. The English words make the melodies memorable and accessible to all ages. Children will learn about Harry Hare, Suzie Snail, Little Gnat, Mousey and many, many more  The idea behind the approach is that parents and children will learn the songs at the same time and continue to sing them at home. Many of the songs which children start learning in the 0-2 year olds class will be used and expanded upon in the older age group classes. As the children's musical skills increase they learn to keep pulse, read and clap the rhythm, show the melody with solfa handsigns, play the songs on tuned percussion and eventually write the rhythm and melody on the musical stave.

What to expect in a class

0-2 years

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  • Children bond with parent/carer in a fun and relaxed atmosphere

  • Learn about music with simple songs, dances and finger rhymes.

  • Have fun and gain confidence with tickling and bouncing songs. 

  • Use instruments such as claves, egg shakers and drums.

  • Also a great way to meet other parents and enjoy a fun activity.

2-3 years

  • Children start to become more independent from their parent/carer

  • Songs and dances with more challenging actions help to develop child's concentration and coordination. 

  • Children start to discover and develop their own singing voice.

  • Practise counting with finger rhymes while other songs and props help with colours and animals etc 

  • Music and rhyme is great for speech and language development.

3-4 years

  • Children now attend without their parent/carer as they start to show more independence and confidence.

  • Children start to gain real musical skills, and experience the concepts of pitch, pulse, rhythm and dynamics. 

  • Children start to explore different ways of performing and accompanying the familiar songs which they have known since they were babies. 

4-7 years

  • Children start learning how to read rhythm notation

  • Children start to learn how to use Solfa hand signs to help their tuning when singing.

  • Children start to develop other musical skills such as inner hearing and the ability to sing in canon (rounds).

  • Children learn new musical games and songs which increase their vocal  confidence.

  • Ultimately children can learn many of the skills needed to play an instrument with musicality simply through using their voice and their bodies.

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