Skip to main content

Tag: music lessons

Our Most Popular Nursery Rhyme Videos!

Written by Dan Cropper on . Posted in Music 101, Singing.

Nursery rhymes aren’t just catchy tunes but powerful tools for early childhood development! Each rhyme has a unique lesson, and kids naturally gravitate towards their fun/distinctive qualities. 

Let’s review some of the skills and lessons in nursery rhymes, highlighting the pieces we’ve produced for our Jammin With You YouTube channel, and discuss why each one is a hit and resonates with kids and toddlers!

What Nursery Rhyme Videos Can Teach

  • Learning Numbers Through Song

The next time you’re jammin’ with your little one, remember to include a round of This Old Man for some mathematical fun! It’s a fun melody and a fantastic way to introduce numbers to young children! As kids sing along, they effortlessly learn to count from one to ten, boosting their numeracy skills in a playful and engaging manner. 

  • Fine Motor Skills in Motion

Open & Shut Them isn’t just a sweet rhyme; it’s an exercise for practicing fine motor skills! As kids mimic opening and closing their hands to the rhythm of the song, they strengthen the muscles in their fingers and improve dexterity. Plus, it’s a ton of fun to wiggle those fingers to the beat!

  • Music and Memory Go Hand in Hand

Like the alphabet song, Twinkle Twinkle is a beloved classic that teaches essential lessons about melody, rhythm, and memory. As kids sing along to the familiar tune, they reinforce their understanding of musical concepts while also enhancing their ability to memorize lyrics. It’s a win-win for musical development and cognitive skills—music and memory go hand in hand!

  • A Workout for Body and Mind

Wheels On The Bus is a catchy tune that is a full-body workout for kids! As they sing and act out the motions of the bus ride, they’re practicing both fine and gross motor skills. From spinning wheels to swaying trees, every verse offers a new opportunity for physical activity and imaginative play.

  • Cultivating Gratitude Through Song

Thanks a Lot isn’t just a simple rhyme; it’s a heartfelt expression of appreciation and gratitude. As kids sing about being thankful for their blessings, they learn important lessons about manners and gratitude. It’s a great reminder to count our blessings and show appreciation for the people and things we cherish.

Unlocking the Magic with Nursery Rhyme Videos

At Jammin With You, we cherish the power of music in early childhood development. That’s why we’re proud to offer a wide range of programs, including our jamBABY classes, designed to introduce babies to the joy of music from an early age. 

From group singing classes to learning to express feelings through music, we’re committed to providing fun and fulfilling experiences that boost confidence and help children feel good about themselves.

So whether you’re singing along to nursery rhymes at home or joining us for one of our music classes for babies, we invite you to join us on this incredible musical journey. 

Get in touch with us today!

Teaching Virtual Music Lessons: What’s Needed to Make a Connection?

Written by Dan Cropper on . Posted in Uncategorized.

The global shift to online teaching has presented both opportunities and challenges. Let’s discuss some of the hurdles music instructors face and explore how the greats rise above them, ensuring that every child’s musical journey remains an incredibly rewarding adventure!

Teaching Virtual Music Lessons – Overcoming Hurdles

Historically, one of the biggest challenges with virtual music lessons was battling technical difficulties. From internet connectivity woes to audio/video quality concerns, these hiccups can hinder the learning experience. But today, it’s not so much of a concern. Internet connectivity is faster and more robust, and video chatting platforms have never been better. So, bad experiences due to poor internet connectivity are solvable, as accessibility to broadband connections has never been greater. 

Perhaps the biggest challenge for online instructors is maintaining children’s motivation and keeping their attention. Let’s face it: digital distractions lurk at every corner, from web shows to video games; here’s where music teachers become magical motivators, infusing excitement by incorporating popular songs, creating fun activities, and inviting parents to join the musical journey. 

The instructors at Jammin With You know and feel when there’s a connection with a motivated child. We tailor our programs and content to be fun and engaging, not a chore. We also work to match the right instructor to the child’s age and personality so that they can get the most out of their experiences with us. If something needs to be changed/adapted for the good of the instructor and student, we make sure it happens. 

Online Music Learning’s Advantages

Now that we’ve discussed some of the hurdles of online learning, we cannot ignore the benefits that most parents can appreciate.  

  • Online music lessons offer flexibility and convenience. Parents do not need to worry about transportation for their kids to attend lessons in person, and they can also have more flexibility regarding the time of day the lessons can occur. 

  • Unlike the old days of being limited to whoever the local music teacher was in the area, now parents can choose from a variety of teachers with different strengths, skill sets, and focuses. 

  • Kids today can have a multi-media approach to music education. Everything imaginable that is music-centric is at their fingertips. They can watch videos, use a whiteboard, play interactive games, find visual aids, and search for almost any song with a few clicks.

  • It’s a virtual gateway to learning video production, which has become a cornerstone of the arts today. Having these skills opens endless opportunities, whether music-focused or not. 

Parents and Kids Excelling With the Digital Age

Parents play a crucial role in orchestrating the success of their children’s online music lessons. To help their children succeed with virtual lessons, they can support them by:

  1. Providing a quiet and dedicated space for practice and quality musical equipment. All kids need the right space and tools to practice; this is foundational for setting them up for success and is step #1 in any child’s musical journey. 

  2. Fostering consistency and encouraging regular practice. Getting the practice time in each day will lead to remarkable progress and boost your child’s confidence in their musical abilities. Without practice, the “spark” of musical inspiration is nearly impossible to find.

  3. Showing interest! It’s so important to monitor your child’s progress, ask questions, and attend all recitals. If your child feels what they are achieving is unappreciated, they’ll likely lose interest themselves, and this is a path that no instructor at Jammin With You wants to see. 

While teaching music online to children may present challenges, there’s plenty of opportunity. Online music lessons can be beautiful crescendos of discovery and progress with the right tools, resources, and teaching methods. 

Reach out today to learn more about our online classes!

Fun Songs for Kids – 5 Popular Songs Kids Love to Play!

Written by Dan Cropper on . Posted in Music 101.

From beginners to moderate players, let’s explore some of the “greatest hits” – songs that we know resonate with children learning music at different ages and experience levels.

Fun Songs for Kids

Beginners (3-8 Years Old):

  • Old McDonald: For the youngest maestros, Old McDonald is a playful tune that is a true go-to classic for learning and a great way to introduce them to the world of musical expression.

  • Jingle Bells: As the festive season approaches, Jingle Bells is a must-learn for your budding musicians. It’s a cheerful tune that brings the player and audience warm and fuzzy joy.

  • Anything Taylor Swift: Yes, everyone loves Taylor!! Simplified versions of her catchy songs make for a delightful entry into the world of guitar or piano and help bridge the gap between learning classic songs and newer pop culture hits. 

Moderate Players (7-11 Years Old):

  • Fur Elise: The timeless masterpiece Fur Elise is a classical gem that not only refines their skills but also adds a touch of sophistication to their repertoire.

  • The Star Wars Theme: I mean, who doesn’t get tingles when they see the Lucasfilm logo, followed by the unmistakable title text roll off the screen!? Picture the joy on your child’s face as they bring the iconic Star Wars theme to life; this timeless John Williams masterpiece is perfect for sparking their imagination and building a strong musical connection to pop culture. 

  • Taylor Swift Medley: For the older kids, why settle for one Taylor Swift song when you can create a medley? Mixing their favorite Swift tunes will keep them engaged and excited to showcase their musical prowess.

Unlocking Confidence With Music Classes for Kids

In the spirit of “sticktoitiveness,” as your child conquers each musical challenge, they embark on a snowball effect of confidence. This newfound self-assurance extends beyond music, shaping them into confident young stars in different aspects of life.

The communal effect of music is tremendous. Music classes encourage connections with like-minded friends who may become lifelong musical partners. The journey is incredibly rewarding, and the skills gained last entire lives.

Fun Songs for Kids – Start the Learning Today!

Whether it’s piano, guitar, or any other instrument, encourage your child to start this incredible journey in music. Let them grow into the confident, amazing individuals they were always meant to be!

Get in touch today and start those lessons. Learning/playing music for confidence is a great way to get your child on the right path to a healthy social life. 🎉🎶

Private Music Lessons – The Value of Being 1-on-1

Written by Dan Cropper on . Posted in Music 101.

At Jammin With You, we offer music lessons for kids that can boost their confidence, help them feel good about themselves, and turn music into a fun and fulfilling hobby they’ll cherish throughout their entire lives! So, when should you consider private music lessons over group lessons? Or should you sign your child up for both? 

The Benefits of Private Music Lessons

  • Tailored Learning and Rapid Progress

One of the most significant benefits of 1-on-1 lessons is the personalized attention your child receives. Imagine having a skilled instructor focused solely on your child’s progress; they can adapt the teaching style, pace, and content to match your child’s unique learning needs and interests. This tailored approach can help accelerate their musical journey like never before!

With individual attention, children tend to progress faster in their musical skills. Whether it’s mastering a tricky piano piece or nailing that challenging guitar riff, your child will have the undivided support of their instructor to overcome hurdles and reach new heights in their musical endeavors.

  • Building Confidence and Having a Customized Repertoire

Private lessons are fantastic confidence boosters. Children often feel more comfortable and less self-conscious in a 1-on-1 setting, particularly children who tend to be shy – as they conquer musical challenges and witness their growth, their self-esteem soars; this newfound confidence doesn’t just apply to music; it spills over into other aspects of their lives, too!

In group/studio lessons, instructors often have to choose music that suits most students. But in 1-on-1 lessons, your child can explore a broader range of musical genres and styles. Whether they dream of playing classical compositions or strumming to their favorite pop songs, the instructor can tailor the repertoire to their preferences.

  • Individualized Feedback

With private kids’ music lessons, instructors can give instant feedback. Kids can focus on refining their technique and addressing mistakes immediately, leading to quicker improvements. While this feedback is also present in group lessons, it’s not always instantaneous. 

Should You Combine Group and Private Lessons?

Now, the big question: Should you enroll your child in both private and group lessons at the same time? The answer is: it depends! Every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s on a case-by-case basis.

Some children thrive with a mix of both. Group lessons can offer valuable social interaction and ensemble experience, while private lessons provide focused skill development. However, for others, this combination might be overwhelming.

We recommend discussing this with our instructors. They will assess your child’s personality, goals, and learning style to provide you with the appropriate recommendations regarding the frequency of lessons. We’re here to support your child’s musical journey in the best way possible!

Whether you choose private lessons, group lessons, or a combination of both, the key is to nurture your child’s love for music in a way that suits their unique needs and aspirations. 

And remember, we’re here to make your child’s musical dreams come true, one note at a time! 🎵✨


Please contact us today to learn more about our music classes.