I didn’t know I was teaching music appreciation until the hubster told me.   Seriously.

I never thought about the eclectic collection of music that I play while conducting daily lessons; it’s merely music that I’ve collected over the years and (mostly) still like.  Sure, it dates me a bit -(so does the gray in my hair and I’m not worried about THAT) but I’m not trying to be hipster mom.  Matter of fact, I don’t WANT to listen to the “new stuff” (oh gosh, now I DO sound like “A MOM”) because then I have to listen to every song to decide whether the lyrics/content are appropriate for my 8 year old girl child.  So my new justification for NOT listening is that I’m teaching music appreciation!

I’m actually secretly pleased when I hear the kiddo singing, mangling lyrics or humming any of the music that gets played. 

Maybe it’s  a  Miriam Makeba or Hugh Masekla kind of day              

                        or  James Taylor, CSNY and Paul Simon

Jamming to Parliament or the Jackson 5

Mellowing out to  Grover Washington or Etta James

Crooning with Old Blue Eyes

Or belting out Broadway show tunes   (okay fine,  only I belt them out….but I’m working on her!).

Sprinkle in the days of Vivaldi, Mozart and Bach and you have my official homeschooling course in music appreciation! 

 No need for analyzing the music, placing it in a genre, identifying the instruments and discussing the social commentary made by the musician.  We just listen and enjoy and maybe dance (we need a break from books sometimes).   And all the while, the kiddo is being exposed to music from around the globe, and across the spectrum of time.

Am I good or what?