It’s Like Riding a Bike

Playing a melody on a xylophone.

Students have been making our Music Room ring with melodies this month!  First, they echo short phrases and figure out the notes of familiar songs.  Then they identify and write down melodies that I play.  Soon they play their own melodies on xylophones, and match their voice to the instrument.  Eventually small groups sing “Mystery Melodies” without the support of either the teacher or the instruments. 

Grade Three Mystery Melody

As they work through these activities, students use melodic notation with growing independence.  I often tell students that it’s like learning how to ride a bike.  When I was a girl, my dad held me steady at first, supporting me so much that there was no way I could fall over.  As I grew in skill and confidence, he gradually withdrew his support and encouraged me to take increasing responsibility for staying upright.  I practiced day after day, sometimes making mistakes and falling, but always getting back on the bike to try again.

Showing a melody with Curwin hand signs.

Learning to read and sing a melody is a challenging skill to master, and I am so proud of our students’ resiliency and determination as they work towards this goal.  As I step back bit by bit,  I see them wobble a little and make mistakes, but they learn from those mistakes and try again.  Each time is more confident and accurate than the last.

“If you practice a thing, then it gets easier and easier and then it’s perfect!”, explained a Grade Three student.  It’s a thrill to see – and hear - this life lesson in action in our Music Room!