Music & Language
You may have heard of the benefit of singing nursery rhymes to little children will help their speech development. Through songs children will learn how language is constructed and it can assist with the acquisition of language through music.
What about Cantonese?
Cantonese is a tonal language with precise pitch discrimination, there are also differences between spoken Cantonese and written Chinese. So we have to carefully select proper materials for the aim of language learning purposes.
I teach language through musical activities inspired by Kodály philosophy and produce my own teaching materials for both music and language purposes. Through engaging and fun games, children are practising the language effortlessly.
Check out LLMC (Locy Lee Music Class) to learn more about my teaching approach.
Piano
I recommend children to start musicianship training before starting to learn an instrument. One of the most important aspects of music learning is internalisation. The ability to hear musical sounds in one's head truly helps to make a great musician.
Once the child has developed their musical ears to a certain stage, we slowly move onto the piano. We are now taking the songs we have sung onto the piano keys, moving from the voice to the fingers.
In my 1-1 piano lesson, we look into variety of repertoires, learning to read traditional music scores, improvising, composing, learning theory and doing aural training through fun games.
I mainly adopt Piano Safari Approach, Colourstrings Piano Method and Piano Adventures in my lessons, depending on the child's interest and ability.
I am also happy to assist students with their ABRSM graded exams, but only if they wish to take this challenge.
Kodály Philosophy
We listen and speak before we learn to read and write. Music is no different, we listen and sing before we learn to read and play. Building musicianship is important for every little musician to develop their musical sensitivity.
I reference Kodaly teaching methods in my piano lessons and in my LLMC music programme.
Through singing songs and playing rhythmic games, children are absorbing the abstract musical concept unconsciously through their voice and body.
We will then move on to the conscious learning stage, starting to name the notes and the rhythm, learning basic notation and theory.
Musicianship training is a lifelong learning journey not only for little children.
Older children learn how to harmonise a melody and analyse chords. This precious skill is helping us to play music by ear, compose and improvise. The skills of a true musician!