Teaching Kids to Sing DVD/CD set

Have you ever wished you could afford voice lessons for you child or that you could teach your child to sing at home?  With Teaching Kids to Sing 2-DVD/1-CD Set from The Vocal Coach you can!

Teaching Kids to Sing is a great way to teach your children (and you) about the child's voice. All the foundations from posture, breathing, tone, rhythm, diction and more is explored and demonstrated.

The cast includes Chris and Carole Beatty, creators and founders of The Vocal Coach and a group of children ages 5 to 13.

Chris and Carole Beatty have taught and coached
 thousand of students over the last 40 years.

Building Foundations That Last DVD covers:

POSTURE
BREATHING
TONE
WARM-UPS

This video has 8 segments. It has a run time of 43 minutes. Students learn 2 songs, a breathing rap and 4 warm ups (also found on the CD).

Essential Skills for Growing Voices DVD covers:

RHYTHM
DICTION
DYNAMICS
VOCAL HEALTH

This video has 9 segments and a run time of 31 minutes.  Students learn 2 songs and 4 warm ups.


TKS Accompaniment Tracks CD provides 26 demo and accompaniment tracks.  The tracks alternate between demo and accompaniment.  Track 1 has "I'm an Upright Child of the King" with vocals.  Track 2 has the same song without vocals.  I would prefer the tracks to be grouped together as demo and accompaniment, but the kids don't seem to mind it this way. (The CD contains all the music used on both DVD's.) The lyrics to the songs are included on a piece of paper within the case.

They have a very helpful section of their website with tips for homeschools and a great blog with lots of free advice for improving your singing. This homeschool section is excellent and really not to be missed.

We are a musical family.  We sing and play instruments.  I have also been a choir director and I've just started a new choir at our church.  I like these videos because even though I learned most of this in my years of singing (under some excellent teachers) I don't always remember how to teach these. These videos can be used at home or in groups (such as children's choirs).

One suggested way to use these DVDs/CD is to spend one week on each topic.  We have chosen to just watch the videos repeatedly and glean something new each time.

One thing we didn't like about these videos is that a couple of the demonstrations are exaggerated and therefore not believable.  In one case, Mr. Beatty picks up a guitar and demonstrates how much better he can sing and play while standing up straight as opposed to bending over the guitar.  Clearly, he could sing and play much better when bent over than he pretended do.  It didn't ring true for any of us.  I get the point he was trying to make, but we didn't appreciate that demonstration.

Outside of that, I love the songs and I think the teaching is excellent. I think any child would benefit from these lessons. These videos are from a Christian perspective and I do appreciate that.  I constantly have one of the songs in my head that I mentioned earlier, "I'm an Upright Child of the King".

Purchase Teaching Kids to Sing on 2-DVD/1-CD for $44.99. Check out The Vocal Coach for other singing products. They also offer personal coaching.

 


See what others are saying about  Teaching Kids to Sing and Vocal Coach Singer (for junior high to adult) on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.



disclaimer: I received  Teaching Kids to Sing on DVD in exchange for an honest review

KinderBach

Earlier this year, I reviewed KinderBach and I have been given another opportunity to review it.  KinderBach at Home is a wonderful music curriculum for 3-7 year olds that teaches them music through  playing the piano (or keyboard).  The last time we reviewed this Ellie (4) just loved it and she never stopped talking about it even when we no longer had a subscription.  We are very excited to be able to have a new subscription!

KinderBach does not color, sticker or number keys or turn the keyboard sideways. It teaches the children where the notes are using ANY piano or keyboard. One of the first concepts the children are introduced to is that the piano has groups of 2 black keys and 3 black keys.  They learn to identify the 2 black keys with a cute story about a donkey named Dodi that lives in a house built over the two black keys.  There is video instruction, worksheets and even cards that the kids (or adult) can color and laminate to put on the keyboard as shown here:

Ellie placing the cards

a close up of the cards

Children are also simultaneously taught rhythm, dynamics, and tone.  Everything is taught using cute stories, songs, games and fun worksheets.  One of the early worksheets, has an apple tree with apples in the tree and on the ground.  When children hear a low sound (in the video or a parent can do the sounds) they color an apple on the ground.  When they hear a high sound they color an apple in the tree.  There are similar activities with loud and soft sounds.

The kids coloring the apples.

As they meet each piano pal they learn more about the keyboard and progress to playing real songs in a pretty short time using special notation. Eventually, they progress to reading music.  You can read more about each piano pal here.

Here is a short video sample of one of the lessons.




All of my younger children LOVE KinderBach.  Sometimes we watch more than one lesson in a day (most of the time) and they are free to watch them as often as they like.  KinderBach currently has 6 levels.  Each level has 10 weeks of lessons.  Each week has 4 lessons. By the end of level 5 students will be reading music.  This is a wonderful way to bring music education to younger students.

Each level looks like the picture above.  You just click on the appropriate circle to access your lesson. Lessons are the perfect length for little ones (short!) At the bottom of the screen there is a link to the pdf workbook that goes along with all of the lessons from the level you are on. This is very handy if you want to print out the whole book at one time. You can also access worksheets one at a time in the actual lessons. Note that the first 2 weeks of Level 1 are free.

I can't speak highly enough about how much the kids enjoy this.  I can't think of anything negative to say about it.   If you have young children, you should definitely give it a try.  It's cute, it's fun and educational.  Who could ask for more?

Purchase an online subscription to KinderBach for $99.95 for a year or $19.99 a month.  KinderBach is also available on DVD. Songbooks, Activity Packages and Value Packages may be purchased as well.

I'm also happy to offer a coupon code to my readers for 30% off any order - homeschool, classroom, online or DVDs.

Coupon Code: TOS_crew2012
Expires: 12/31/2012

Creator and "star" of the show, Karri Gregor

The crew is also reviewing the new KinderBach app for iPad and iPod that normally sells for $26.99 but is going to be on sale 50% off next Friday (October 19).  I plan to get it.  We already have the free Simply Discover Piano FREE app (gives you the first lessons and then you can purchase future lessons in app.) The kids really love it.


Like KinderBach on Facebook to be sure not to miss out on any specials.

See what others are saying about KinderBach on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.




disclaimer: I received a 6-month subscription to KinderBach in exchange for an honest review.  (I also received free downloads of 2 of the pdf coloring books.)

Music Together

Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program that we have had the privilege of reviewing in our home over the past 6 weeks.  Music Together was first introduced to the public in 1987.  While you can find a Music Together center to attend a class, you can also purchase materials for use in your homeschool. We received the Music Together Family Favorites CD and the Music Together Family Favorites Songbook for Teachers.

We started out by just listening to the CD at home every day.  We have mostly used the CD, but I play the guitar so sometimes I pull that out and we sing (and dance) without the CD as well.  It was great to have the songbook so that we are able to do that.  We have also enjoyed listening to it in the car.

Singing together in a circle

The Music Together Family Favorites Songbook for Teachers has music with guitar chords for each song as well as multiple ideas to use with the songs. The book is soft cover and spiral bound.  The only problem I've had with it is that it isn't really sturdy enough to stand up at the piano without something behind it.  You can see how it bends back a little in this picture.

One handy feature is that in the upper corner of the page with the music is a picture of a CD
with the track number of the song so you don't have to find the case
to find the track you want on your CD.

The songbook is divided into 3 sections:

The Opening Section discusses the fundamentals of the Music Together approach including an introduction to their philosophy, a discussion of types of songs and activities, how to work with instruments and props along with adaptations for children with special needs.  I really would have loved to have this on hand when Connor was in Early Intervention. At one point, we were in a class on a farm that I led music for. This would have been perfect for that. (20 pages)

Connor dancing to one of his favorite songs

The Middle Section is the bulk of the book and contains the nineteen songs with the CD track number as mentioned above.  Each song is introduced by a personal note from Ken Guilmartin (founder and director of Music Together) and is followed by several teacher pages that include ideas for use with 4 different groups: All ages and settings, infants, preschoolers and older children and children with special needs.  You will also find a box that lists titles of activities, the music details (key, starting pitch and meter) and finally a list of the instruments used for that particular recording). (80 pages)

The Final Section is a reference section that includes information about the Music Together program and how to become involved with its licensed applications.  Reference material include a glossary of music terms used in the book and a guitar chord chart. (12 pages)

I have found that my children love these songs (and I get them stuck in my head too...right now I have Biddy Biddy in my head.)  They love to listen and sing. They love to use rhythm instruments to play along and they love to run and dance to the music.

Dancing with Teddy (the kids LOVE this)

Let's all click our sticks today!

More stick clicking

.
Music Together Family Favorites CD  includes a 32-page booklet with fun music-making activity suggestions. The booklet (pictured above) is attached to the CD case.  Each page has simple ideas to use with each song.  For example, with Playin' in the Kitchen there are suggestion for making your own rhythm instruments.

The booklet in the CD

In our home, we have some purchased rhythm instruments and I've made some for the kids to use as well.  Music together sells lots of rhythm instruments and how cute are these castanets?  They also have drums, percussion sets, shakers and tambourines.  (I would love to have them all!)

I'm thinking Family Favorites 2 and the Lullabies CD will make great Christmas or birthday gifts for my younger children.  (Along with a collection of rhythm instruments.)

Take some time to listen to song samples and see what you think.  We highly recommend this CD.  I recommend the book to those that would like to have the sheet music and additional ideas for the songs. Some of the instructions are really more geared to a classroom setting, but there is plenty you can find to do with your family as well.

 Though this is a recommended for early childhood (up to about age 7) we are finding that we all enjoy the variety of songs.  I even hear my 12 year old singing the songs as he is sitting at the computer.  Fun for the whole family!

Purchase Music Together Family Favorites CD for $14.95 or download mp3's for $9.95. Individual songs may also be downloaded for $.99 each.  The Music Together Family Favorites Songbook is $29.95 or save $5 and buy them as a set for just $39.95. Use coupon code “Schoolhouse” at checkout on the Music Together store, and save an additional $2 the combo purchase.

See what others are saying about Music Together on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Award-winning CD:

A Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award

Earlychildhood News Directors’ Choice

Earlychildhood News Judges’ Selection

National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

NAPPA Gold Award

iParenting Media Award

Learning®Magazine 2008 Teacher’s Choicefor the Family

Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice

Children's Music Web Award

Mom's Choice Gold Award

Parent-Tested Parent-Approved Award

disclaimer: I received  Music Together book and CD in exchange for an honest review

Kinderbach

For the past several weeks we have been given the opportunity to try online piano lessons for young children by Kinderbach.  It is absolutely adorable and my 4 and 6 year olds are enjoying watching the lessons and doing the accompanying worksheets. Ellie (4) is especially a fan of this. She will talk about Dodie's house throughout the day even on days when we aren't doing Kinderbach.

Kinderbach uses videos and pdf worksheets which can be purchased on DVD or you can buy an online version either by the month or by subscription. (pricing details are found at the end of this post.) Kinderbach teaches more than just music. A variety of additional skills are introduced such as counting, matching and even some phonics.

Each lesson has a worksheet that goes along with the video.
These are easy enough for young children. Many are just coloring pages.
My kids love them. You can print them out one at a time or print out the sheets that
go with each level all at once.

A sample worksheet from one of the later lessons.

Each key has a piano pal.  Dodie (donkey)  is the first character you meet.  

The hardest part of using Kinderbach is printing out the worksheets. (In other words...not hard!)  If I am prepared and set it up for the girls they are happy to do it.  The creator, Karri Gregor, is a lot of fun for little kids.  It is obvious that she works with children of this age group and talks to them at their level.  My 9 and 6 year olds are currently working through a lesson and have been laughing and having a great time the entire time. (My 9 year old takes piano lessons and doesn't "need" Kinderbach but still can benefit from it and have a good time.  I probably wouldn't buy this for a child that old but if you have a younger child with an older sibling they might still enjoy parts of it.)

Watch a sample of the video:

and this:

I truly believe that music is an important part of a good education.  I highly recommend Kinderbach for families with young children.  You can give it a try for free. The first 2 lessons are available on the website along with free coloring pages and song download.

There are 6 levels of Kinderbach and each level is designed to take 10 weeks.  There are 4 sections to each weekly lesson. You need a piano or keyboard in order to use Kinderbach.  A simple keyboard is fine.

Kinderbach is the creation of Karri Gregor
a professional musician and artist with decades of teaching experience.   

You can purchase 6 levels of Kinderbach on DVD for $40.45 each. Each level comes with a DVD, audio CD, and a CD with a pdf Activity Book and Parent Guide or click here for specially priced packages.  Kinderbach is also available as a subscription. You can pay $95.88 for a one year subscription (which works out to $7.99 a month) or pay month to month at $19.99 a month. I think this is a great option and MUCH cheaper than private lessons, especially if you have more than one child.

They are running a 40% off deal until January 31 with coupon code KBclear2012 and I am seriously considering buying the entire package or the set pictured above which includes the first 3 DVDs, pdfs and extra songbooks. So, if you think you might be interested don't delay in checking it out!


The sale mentioned above is over, however I just received a coupon code to offer here for 30% off ANY order and it's good for one year!  TOScrew2012  Let me know if you decide to order and what you think!

Kinderbach has a 30 day no hassle money back guarantee

Read what others are saying about Kinderbach on the TOS crew blog. I do read the comments on my blog so please feel free to ask questions if you have any!



disclaimer: I received a free 3 month subscription to Kinderbach in exchange for an honest review.