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Learning with Granny!
Music Break
Someone said "Art is Doing - Science is Knowing'
If music is an art - does it help us to 'know'? Join Granny for a 'music break'.
We know that music is an art - but did you know that is it also a 'science'?
Yes, the science of sound is called 'acoustics' - it studies the quality of sound that is being transmitted
in an area, a room or a hall, for example. If you don't already do so, try singing in the bathroom or in an empty school hall - it's the acoustics in these areas that enhance your performance. Try out different areas - you might find a sound in a voice you never knew you had.
A sound engineer studies the acoustics and knows how to enhance the sound. Music and sound for a film is recorded on the 'soundtrack'.
So next time you turn on the radio, the gramophone, CD player the television or put on your earphones to listen to your favorite music, just think about how and why you hear sound and how it's transmitted.
 Granny likes nothing better than joining in a 'sing along' with the children.
Click to see a bigger picture - The children play a recorder and a homemade 'drum' while Granny accompanies them on the piano.
Music is sound, sound that goes via the ear - which is like having our very own little satellite dish on the outside of our body - straight to the brain
where the sound is interpreted.
Some music is enjoyed and some not. Music has a different effect on all
of us. We might love it or we hate it and we are free to choose what we enjoy listening to while respecting other peoples likes and dislikes.. Certain music - just like some events in our lives - we remember and some we choose to
forget.
 See the picture of an ear which shows you how the sound, from whatever source you are
listening to, is detected by the ear. Sound then goes through the eardrum and winds it's way through the middle and inner ear before it reaches the brain. It is here
in the brain that sound is interpreted as music or talking or noise.
Evidence of music being used since the earliest 'hunter gatherer' days and through the Ice Age is very prominent in our history books.. It's mentioned in Egyptian history, Australian, African, Greek, Roman Asian histories, in the Bible and European archives - just to name a few...
Music has been handed down to us all by our ancestors and introduced to most of us in early infancy.
Some people are of the belief that an infant in the womb is affected by the music and sounds it hears.
There is a theory that children who have been taught a musical instrument have a better grasp of mathematics and are able to co-ordinate their thoughts and actions at an early age..
 One doesn't need a lot of instruments to get a small band together for young children - you do need a good pain threshold though, as children love to beat a pot or coffee tin, play the pot lid cymbals or tinkle on a homemade triangle. Drinking glasses filled to varying levels with water and tapped lightly with a teaspoon or cake fork can produce a beautiful tune. Tired or irritable children are often calmed by music too - as most mothers will confirm.
Just click on the picture to the right to see what Granny means.
 The piano or keyboard is always an attraction for children, even the smallest will climb on the stool - imagining that they are able to play a great masterpiece. Gentle encouragement will see that they don't bash out a 'storm of thunder', but rather 'listen to fairy
footsteps', imitate the older family members dancing or decide to branch out to an instrument of their own choice.
If little children are played to and/or encouraged to listen to music, they will develop 'an ear' for it and a desire to achieve the ability to play.
They can then go on to learn simple tunes - like Baa baa black sheep.
By learning a few very simple pieces, they gain confidence in themselves and an interest in learning further. Their instinctive talents can then be advanced by professional music teachers or a caring school teacher with knowledge of the piano.
Many musical people in all walks of life find different ways to express themselves. They might choose to play the guitar, recorder, saxophone, harp, drum, xylophone, violin, piano, banjo, symbols or the triangle or any other instrument of varied origins.
Music can cross all borders and create a framework where we can develop an atmosphere to encourage learning. Anything is worthwhile in an effort to encourage creativity and confidence in our young people
and make learning a pleasure.
So parents and grandparents, teachers and learners - yes, you in kindergarten too - share music in any form with each other. Some you will like and some you wont But give it a try anyway - Grandpa may have some great old tunes to share and that little class rebel might be a budding artist.
Granny would love input on this subject - especially on how much value is placed on music in your community.
Visit us next month to find out what Granny has planned.
Granny looks
forward to letters from teachers and pupils and is happy to answer your
questions. Simply e-mail her at granny@scienceinafrica.co.za
Until Next Month...
Granny Jenny
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