Little Music Makers

No baby and toddler music classes this week

Just a reminder that there aren’t any classes this week or next. I can only make term-times as it would be too much with Sam coming too. It looks like we are going to move, but still haven’t exchanged. As soon as we have dates, I will add another post and phone Geri from Arley Centre.

Have a good Easter,

Cecilia and Rowan

Ukulele: cheap & easy to play

I wanted to take up a new musical instrument. Something portable, cheap and easy to play. I have tried the guitar before, but found it quite challenging and bar chords were totally beyond me. I have recently discovered the Ukulele – like a guitar, but only 4 strings, so much easier to play, and you can pick up an entry level instrument for around £15 – £20.

Different Ukulele Sizes

Ukuleles come in 3 main sizes: soprano, concert and tenor. These are all tuned the same, but the larger instruments have a slightly different tone and more depth to the sound. The larger instruments may better for those with bigger hands, as the strings are a little further apart, but the stretch between the frets are also more, so sopranos are usually good for beginners.

I got a makala ukulele for just over £20 and am pretty satisfied with it. It isn’t perfectly in-tune- but I have a fussy ear! For a beginner it’s a pretty good quality sound and I guess you get what you pay for! I share it with my 3 year old, so don’t want any too valuable! A tuner is also very useful. You can get tuning pipes, but the electronic ones are great. They work on vibration, so you can tune even with background noise, and you don’t need to have a good ear - the LED lights show you which way to tune. Don’t bother getting a chord book- I did- and it was a really a waste of money. You can get chord charts on-line easily. Get one with suggested fingering, then strum away and have fun on your ukulele!

Green Light for Arley Baby & Toddler Music Groups

I only started giving out leaflets a few days ago, and already I have had quite a lots of enquires. It looks like I will have enough to run 2 groups, one for babies one for toddlers. The lessons will start on Tuesday 23rd February, in the Arley Community Centre (part of St. Michael’s Church). The lessons start at:

10.00 – 10.30 mini music makers- for babies
10.45- 11.15 minor music makers- for toddlers.

Classes are £3 per child

The first session on the 23rd February, will be half price.

If you want to come, please contact me. Would be great to have a good turn out. Please invite your friends!

Baby and Toddler Music Classes in North Warwickshire

This is the beginning of things! I am setting up baby and toddler music classes in Arley, North Warwickshire.

Arley Music Groups

So far Arley and St. Michaels Community Centre (CV7 8HA) is booked for Tuesday mornings, starting from February 23rd 2010. There is time for me, and my assistant Rowan (9 months), to run two half-hour sessions. Baby classes are for those from birth to 15 months, and toddler ones from 15 months to 3 years (ages are approximate). I may run one session for each age group, or two sessions for the same- it depends on the demand.

The lessons will include lots of singing, as well as some instrumental work. The over all objective is to have fun!

If anyone is interested in coming, please contact me (Cecilia). There will only be space for about 10 children per session.