NEW: Music and Mood Resource
Beyond learning an instrument, we want our students to become musicians—expressive musicians. This can start with developing discernment and listening skills which takes guidance and a strong vocabulary.
Andrea West senses the importance of developing expressivity in her students and recently created a clever process in which to do so.
Below, Andrea explains the Many Moods of Music Unit she’s using in her own studio. She’s created a special package here at leilaviss.com that includes instructions, graphics and journals so that you can follow her lead and do this with your students, too.
-Leila
Children are amazingly expressive, and possess the most vivid imaginations. As teachers, we get to enjoy this with each child that comes to our bench. Ask them about their day, or what they did on vacation or about a movie they just saw, and they relay their story not only in words, but with their voice inflection and body language.
However, often when they play a piece of music, their focus shifts from expressing themselves to playing correct notes and rhythms, as we remind them about correct hand position and posture. We teach them dynamics, and they’re diligent about articulating them, but often the music still feels mechanical. It still doesn’t always reflect the student’s mood or the spirit of the piece intended by the composer.
To put a spotlight on creating moods and expressing emotion with music, I created a unit for the semester that has been really well received in my studio. As soon as they sit down at the bench, the student spins the Decide Now app that I preloaded with about 25 songs.
Listening journal
develop discernment
They note the title and composer on their Music Journal sheet, and then sit back, close their eyes, and listen as I play the piece through a speaker. I play about 2-3 minutes of the piece for them and then ask them questions like:
How did it make you feel?
Did a story play in your mind?
What kind of mood did it put you in?
What was it about the music that made you feel that way?
How was the composer/performer able to convey that?
We jot their answers down in the journals.
It’s been eye-opening to hear their responses. There are some who can articulate their thoughts in vivid detail. Others need a little help from a stack of Mood Cards, but they all understand that a mood was created with the music, and that as pianists, we also want to convey a mood or story with our playing.
Mood cards
build a listening vocabulary
I’ve been pleased with how that is translating into their lesson pieces. And, as we begin exploring music for the spring recital, I’m excited that they are identifying what kind of mood they want their piece to feel like, and have an better understanding of how to achieve that.
Usually my students play their spring recital pieces from beginner to advanced, but I think this year we will organize it by Mood, or perhaps colors that represent moods. Ooh, maybe attach mood rings to the Compliment Cards? The possibilities are endless for a unique and fun recital!
-Andrea West
This graphic is available as a Social Media or Recital Cover graphic. They are included in the Many Moods of Music Package and can also be purchased separately.