Fun2Read Music lessons
are based on selections of short videos and interactive
screencasts. They run great on computers and laptops. If
you plan to view these lessons on a device other than a computer or
laptop, be sure to test it first to be sure it runs as expected.
To test out a lesson, click the FREEBIES tab and select MY
FIRST LESSON. For more on this, see the blog post entitled
Hello?
Your computer must have a
sound card in order to use the Fun2Read Music Club lessons, because
audio contributes a big part to our lessons. Be sure to try out MY
FIRST LESSON on our website to be sure it runs as expected. Just
click on the FREEBIES tab. And, because the Fun2Read Music
Club is hosted online, you'll get the best results when using an
up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You
may get unpredictable results when running older versions of
Internet Explorer.
The Fun2Read Music Club is about reading and playing music on a keyboard. This means a musical instrument's keyboard, not the computer's keyboard! So you'll need to have an electronic keyboard or piano. I recommend using an inexpensive electronic keyboard to start with. However, if you plan to continue with lessons, you should have a standard-size keyboard. Otherwise, your fingers may be able to play very well on your own keyboard, but not anywhere else! Since we're all about developing transferable skills, contact us for specific keyboard recommendations.
Of course, you'll want to institute your usual parental controls. However, once you have entered your user name and password to access the Fun2Read Music Club, it's just click and go! The Fun2Read Music Club is safe and easy. We have NO external links within our lessons, so your child cannot end up on any other website. And we have no advertising on our learning site. Not now, not ever!
Young children are "wired" to enjoy memorization and repetition. Now is an ideal time for him to start. He'll have fun, and you'll be amazed at how much he can learn! Our materials also support early reading skills.
It depends on his age and what kind of experience he had with his previous lessons. For best results, contact us. We want your son to experience success with his lessons and to have fun! The more details you can provide to us, the better recommendation we can make.
Each lesson has two aspects: one is computer-based learning, and the other is the learning that you do at your keyboard or piano. We present information in a variety of different ways using a multi-sensory approach. And, because the goal is to actually READ music, there are some music worksheets to print out. To experience a lesson first-hand, click the FREEBIES tab and select MY FIRST LESSON.
The Fun2Read Music Club is just right for early learners. But it may be too easy for your child. That's why we have our series of Fun2Read Music e-books! We designed our materials to be flexible and ideal for self-paced learning. However, you will need to do ALL the lessons. Don't skip any! If your little learner finds it easy, just complete the lesson and move on! We are trying to avoid the dreaded "learning plateau," where students get mired in lessons that are too hard for them. As long as it's easy, you can keep moving along. As it gets more challenging, you will need to slow down. The idea is for your child to learn at the level where they have the most fun!
A good rule of thumb is "one lesson per week." Because the lessons are self-paced, your child can go as fast (or as slow) as they need to. Be sure to go back and review previous lessons from time to time, especially if they are feeling challenged by something new. And be sure they are having fun - because a child who is having fun is more likely to persevere through a challenge. And remember... the more you play, the easier it gets!
If your child is 6 or younger, you will probably want to sit with him while he does his first few lessons. We think your child will catch on quickly and be able to repeat the lesson on his own. Be sure to provide plenty of encouragement for trying, and allow him to repeat the same lesson as often as he likes! Remember... repetition is our friend!
We get your child started in their first lesson with finger numbering patterns. We introduce standard music notation gradually, after your child already has a repertoire of songs and has developed some positive momentum. In case you want confirmation that finger numbering patterns are the way to go, click to read the blog posts entitled Just Ask Phil Jackson or The Mad Science of Fun2Read Music.
Following finger numbering
patterns is the key to success, whether you are playing your first
song or whether you are playing an advanced piece. This allows your
body to use "muscle memory" to its maximum benefit. In my opinion,
students should not progress to trying to read notes until their
fingers respond consistently to their number names. The way I
prefer to teach this skill is to give young students lots of songs
to play that are based ONLY on finger numbers. However, I sometimes
encounter a student who prefers to start by reading music notation.
For more on this, click to read the blog post entitled The Music
Snob. If this sounds like you or your child, just contact us to
receive the alternate version of our songs.
I've found that Fun2Read Music actually stimulates creatvity. You may notice your child playing his own music and writing it down using the quick short-hand method they learn in these lessons! So start today, because there's nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Fun2Read Music builds valuable skills that allow your child to play the classics later on. Basic skill drills are built in, but they are disguised as fun activities! And your child will also learn to play some classical themes with the funniest lyrics you ever heard! I know this system works, because one of my top students (who started lessons with me when she was eight years old) recently graduated from Julliard!
Got more questions? Need more
answers?
Click on our BLOG tab, which is right up... there!
The Fun2Read Music Kids are animated
characters! Kids love hearing from other kids, so guess who's in
charge of the Fun2Read Music Club? The Fun2Read Music Kids, that's
who!
These cute kids teach the entire series of
lessons, including the JumpStart 4 Kids series,
in children's voices. There's Kristen, Ellen and Jessica, along
with Ben and his identical twin brother Ted
(they look so much alike that you won't be
able to tell them apart) ... to name just a few!
Want to know more? Check out MY FIRST LESSON on the FREEBIES tab.
There are three major differences... level, interactivity and continuity:
Over the long term, the desire to
play
and the willingness to keep at it
matter much more than natural talent.
A child stands to benefit greatly from our lessons
as long as they are enjoying the process
and learning new skills.
To find out more, click to read the blog post
entitled
What in the World is She Playing?
Copyright © 2013 Catherine Donroe. All rights reserved.