Audiate This: A Guide to Your First Miniature Musicians Class!

Let’s make music together!

Our first Miniature Musicians class is just one week away! As I plan for our first class together, I wanted to take a moment to give you a glimpse of what to expect.

Miniature Musicians is a research-based caregiver/child music class. While we will experience elements from several different methods and theories, the primary approach to our music making will be inspired by Gordon’s Music Learning Theory.

So…what’s Music Learning Theory? According to the Gordon Institute for Music Learning’s website, “Music Learning Theory is an explanation of how we learn when we learn music” (Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 2024). The theory centers on audiation. Audiation is the ability to hear and comprehend music in one’s mind when sound is not physically present (Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 2024). Think of any song you know. Can you hear it in your mind? That is the beginning of audiaiton. During Miniature Musicians, we will play, sing, and move with the intention of developing our children’s tonal and rhythm audiation. 

In the early years of music instruction, we do not expect specific responses from children. Exposure is the most important aspect of early childhood music education. Is your child in the corner eating a snack? Totally fine! Are they coloring a picture and sitting in your lap? Not a problem! They are still being fully immersed in a musical environment!

Classes will include (in no particular order)...

• Hello Song

This is our chance to set the tone for music making and welcome everyone to class! We will use this as a “warm up” and greeting.

• Songs & Chants

We will learn songs and chants in various tonalities and meters (more on this another time). Many of our songs and chants will not have words. We will work with a balance of familiarity and variety! Check this out for more information (scroll down to find the “Songs Without Words” heading) - CLICK HERE

• Pattern instruction 

In short, pattern instruction allows children the opportunity to respond purposefully. Think of it as the “sight words” of learning music (Bailey, 2017). 

• Short purposeful silences

Silence can make us uncomfortable! However, it’s important to give purposeful silences to allow children an opportunity to respond musically. Check on more information on this here - CLICK HERE. 

• Movement

Movement in Music-Learning-Theory-inspired lessons focuses on time, weight, space, and flow (The Laban Efforts). Movement helps children understand and comprehend music as it relates to space and time (Bailey, 2017). This is integral in developing audiation!

• Exposure to instruments and props

We use instruments and props to add to the musical experience and environment! Plus, it’s fun!

• Goodbye Song

We will always end our class with a Goodbye Song, followed by a few moments for free-play with the instruments and props.

I am looking forward to making music with you and your tiny musicians! See you soon!

Works Cited

Bailey, Jennifer. “The MLT Classroom.” SingtoKids, 13 Apr. 2017, singtokids.com/the-mlt-classroom/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2024.

“Early Childhood.” GIML - the Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 24 May 2012, giml.org/mlt/earlychildhood/.

Holliday-Bembridge, Amanda. “Space to Grow: Silence Promotes Vocabulary Development | NAEYC.” Www.naeyc.org, www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/silence-promotes-vocabulary-development.

Mullen, Andy. “Early Childhood Music according to Gordon.” The Improving Musician, theimprovingmusician.com/early-childhood-music-new/#:~:text=Songs%20Without%20Words&text=It. Accessed 7 Jan. 2024.

“Music Aptitude.” GIML - the Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 25 May 2012, giml.org/mlt/aptitude/.