Making Music - Hardcover

Wiseman, Ann Sayre; Langstaff, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580175139 ISBN 13: 9781580175135

Publisher: Storey Books, 2003

Synopsis

Duet for Zipper and Velcro. Sonata for Milk Carton Guitar. Kitchen Concerto. Every home and classroom is crammed with objects kids can use to make music. This book teaches kids, parents, and teachers how to see musical possibilities in everything from a crumpled sheet of paper to thimbles glued to the fingertips of a glove.

Two of the most respected names in arts education for children have teamed up to produce Making Music. With her imaginative projects and whimsical drawings, Ann Sayre Wiseman shows kids how to make rhythm, string, wind, and keyboard instruments from all kinds of household items and natural materials. The projects range from simple castanets made of walnut shells to a complex zither made of wood. John Langstaff, preeminent music educator, teaches children how to make music with their homemade instruments, whether solo, in a duet, in a small ensemble, or with a full classroom orchestra. He starts with rhythm games and moves on to teaching kids about music basics, such as tempo.

Making Music gets kids excited about sounds, shows them how to make their own instruments, and helps them recognize that everything in the world makes its own music.

About this title

About the Authors

The late John Langstaff was known internationally for his ability to unlock any child's innate musical ability. He was the founder of the original Christmas Revels in 1971 and devoted his life to promoting music education and enjoyment, especially for children. 

Ann Sayre Wiseman has led arts and crafts workshops around the world for more than 30 years. An artist, teacher, and art therapist, Ann is also the author of a dozen books, including Making Music (with John Langstaff). She lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

Grade 3-5--Using easy-to-follow directions and examples drawn from musical forms from around the globe, Wiseman and Langstaff invite children to explore the world of music by showing them how to create their own instruments and rhythms. The projects incorporate everything from forks and pencils to clay pots and drinking glasses. Unfortunately, many of the activities would best be completed with adult assistance, a fact that is not always made clear in the text, so careful reading by adults is advised. For example, in "Pot Cover Cymbals," readers are instructed to "Unscrew knobs from covers. Thread string through holes. Use knots or buttons to keep lids from slipping." This is no easy task for young fingers and perhaps an unpleasant surprise for unsuspecting parents hoping to cook with those coverless pots. In other places, children are told to "Drill or poke holes" or to "Hammer bottle caps flat," without any safety warnings. Still, with some help and a little patience, young musicians can create many types of percussion instruments, pipes, and even some stringed instruments. Old-fashioned black-and-red illustrations appear throughout; they help to clarify the steps and add a bit of interest.--Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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Edition details

• Publisher: Storey Books
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580175139
• ISBN 13: 9781580175135
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80