Sources of Fun-to-sing Music that Helps Young People Develop Their Full Musical Potential

by Brent Hugh Assistant Professor of Piano Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy Missouri Western State College Department of Music Please take a moment to visit the Missouri Western State College Keyboard Studies Home Page, to learn more about our programs in piano and organ performance and pedagogy.

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Because American mass culture is so musically monochromatic, it can be difficult to find music that helps young people learn a variety of musical elements. Listed below are sources of music that is fun to sing yet also has the right musical elements to help children develop the full range of their musical abilities. Some music is for purchase, some sites have free music for downloading.

• Music Learning Theory and the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML). Note especially their recordings of folk music in different modes and meters. These are inexpensive and the easiest way to learn a wide variety of folk music. You can find out more and order cds at the GIA music website. You can find other publications by GIML at GIAMusic.com by searching for "Gordon".

• American Orff Schulwerk Association

• The Organization of American Kodály Educators

• You can download a wide variety of music for free from MP3.com. Note especially their sections on World/Folk, Classical, Latin, and Jazz.

• I have written a series of songs for my own son, Jonathan, based on these ideas. For a limited time, you can download selected songs, both recording and sheet music, for free at MP3.com/MusicIQ.