Fun and Engaging Online Music Classes for Children

Sept. 1st UPDATE: I am redoing ALL my videos, but it has quickly become apparent that this is a much bigger project than I anticipated. I just opened another month of the old Youtube videos for now, hoping that my new videos will be available by then. But I am excited that these new videos will be far superior and worth the wait! I appreciate your patience!

Musically yours,

Linda

Frustrated with Online Music Lesson Resources?

Have you been frustrated as you try to fill the need of music classes for your child? Have you found resources that might get your child through a few weeks or months but fall off the radar after that?  Would you like fun and engaging online music classes that last the entire year and move right on to the next year after that?

Here’s a Solution!

I have created such an online music program on my YouTube channel that starts with 5 year olds and continues through 10 year olds, thanks to the pandemic.

Music Classes Are Born!

You see, I’m an elementary music teacher teaching full time in a public school. When we shut down last spring, I had to find a way to continue to teach every child online. And so online music classes by Ms. Davis began. Click here to go to the playlist!

At first I labeled my classes by grade level. But as I got feedback from around the world, I realized that many children are coming to my program with different backgrounds. Some have no musical background, some have rigorous teaching as my own students and others somewhere in between.

From Grade Level to Levels 1, 2, 3

So this January I have switched over from grade level to just a generic level. I can imagine a 4^th grader being appalled to take a class from me and hearing me sing, “Hello 3^rd grade!” Click. No more lessons.

Starting from this point forward, I sing my hello as “Hello boys and girls” through level 2 and in level 3 I sing “Hello music class.” I will redo the fall videos at some point, but unfortunately they have the old hello greeting for now.

Why did I tell you that? So that you can judge where to start your child.

No musical experience at all

If your child is Kindergarten age, this is perfect! Start him or her with my Kindergarten music classes and next school year continue with level 1.

If your child has not taken any type of music classes ever, and is 6 or older, I suggest starting with Level 1 (first grade.) If your child is 8 or older, try the Level 2 (2^nd grade) as their maturity could help them catch on to what they missed in Level 1.  Is your child is 9 or 10? Try level 3 (3^rd grade.)  That is a pretty rigorous class, teaching some things I only learned in private piano lessons or college!

Some music experience

If your child has had some music experience, try the level that their grade level corresponds to. But again, it depends on what they were taught previously. My granddaughter tried one of my 3^rd grade classes but she was never taught solfege (do re mi) and really struggled with that.  She had a strong rhythm background so she did very well with that part of my class. It probably would be more helpful to her to go down a grade when it came to solfege and note reading.

Tips for success

1. Find the level that your child feels some success but is also challenged.
2. Have him or her go in order. It’s extremely important that they don’t skip around.
3. Encourage them to participate with me: singing, moving, clapping and saying the rhythms etc.  I incorporate a lot of movement so they stay motivated and engaged. I use “All Around the Brickyard” for older students to get a brain break and keep the level of fun high.
4. If the lessons are too long, break them into 2 or 3 viewings. Just stop or start them between activities/songs.
5. Give them praise for participating and let them know they are progressing and learning. Point out things that they are becoming successful at that they weren’t previously.
6. Need more ideas? See this post for more ways to get your child to love music. Click here!

Frequency

I create these videos to match my own students’ weekly lessons. Your child can watch these once a week or if they started later, they can watch 2 or 3 videos per week.  An even better idea would be to watch each lesson twice before moving on to the next one. Music only once a week is far from ideal but that is what unfortunately is the norm for most public schools. You have the option to increase that with repetition.

Content Available

At the moment, I am creating 4 years’ worth of videos simultaneously. Next year I will create levels 4 and 5 to allow the older students to continue.  Currently I have beginning recorder videos that 4^th and 5^th graders can use to help develop instrument skills to give them a head start if they go on to band or orchestra in middle school.

Try These Online Music Classes Out and Share!

I am so glad you found me! I feel that these videos are the most comprehensive music teaching videos out there. Let your child watch one or two and see if my teaching style keeps your little one engaged and focused. And if you like what you see, please feel free to tell others about these classes.  Music does make the world go round!