Enjoying Chamber Music With Other Musicians

You or your child may decide it is time to begin playing some chamber music which translates to you playing your instrument with other musicians playing their instruments.  Perhaps you've been learning to play piano and there is a desire to be more collaborative with other musicians.  There are so many creative ways to make music with other instrumentalists!  Here are some ensemble groupings that you may want to try and arrange depending upon what instrument you/your child plays:  Flute and Violin;  Violin, Viola, and Cello;  Banjo and Mandolin;  Accordion and Washboard;  Guitar, Bass, Drums, Voice;  Ukulele and Bass;  Violin, Guitar, and Bass;  Flute and Clarinet;  Trumpet and Trombone;  Violin and Piano (really any instrument works with piano!).  Well, you get the idea.  Really any ensemble could "work".  In regard to finding music for your unique ensemble, the sky is the limit when you use the search engine on your PC, laptop, or smart phone.  There are many sites that sell sheet music and, of course, many publishers of music.  Don't forget to support your local music store, too.  It can be a bonding experience for you and your child to make a visit to the music store in town and peruse sheet music and books.  If you are currently taking private lessons, it would be a great idea to consult your teacher about the ensemble groupings and types of music available.

Happy Halloween!

Here are some ideas for having musical fun during the Halloween festivities!

 

* Use scarves or handkerchiefs to make "ghosts" that sway back and forth to music

 

* Write a happy ghost story for the children and incorporate songs or music that you like 

 

* Listen to sounds from the season: Owls, Doors squeaking, or anything else that is appropriate to the age group (you may find sounds on CD's available from your local library or you may download from other sources online such as ITunes and Amazon)

 

*Here is a great Halloween song that young children like to sing:

(Use the melody from "The Wheels On The Bus")

 

The witches and their cats sing

Hee, hee, hee!

Hee, hee, hee!

Hee, hee, hee!

The witches and their cats sing

Hee, hee, hee!

We love Halloween!

 

The ghosts and the goblins sing

Boo, boo, boo!

Boo, boo, boo!

Boo, boo, boo!

The ghosts and the goblins sing

Boo, boo, boo!

We love Halloween!

 

We knock on the door and say

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

We knock on the door and say

Trick or Treat!

We love Halloween!