Musical instruments have evolved throughout history, but one thing remains the same: playing an instrument (any instrument!) is good for your brain.
According to BrainFacts.org, playing an instrument turns on every single area of the brain simultaneously which positively impacts memory, vision, sound, and movement all at the same time.
Strengthen your brain power with five more fun instrument-themed things to teach your kids this week.
1. A silly joke.
Want to hear a funny joke? Here's one that sounds just right:
What's the difference between a fish and a piano? You can't tuna fish.
2. A new vocabulary word.
Though music is a universal language, the names for specific notes vary between American and British interpretations. American notes are distinguished with fractional terms like eighth note, sixteenth note, thirty-second note, etc. British music uses the terms quaver, semiquaver, and demisemiquaver for those same notes.
As notes get shorter and shorter, American terms can continue the mathematical terms, 64th note, 128th note, 256th note, etc. For British music, the terms keep adding "semi," "demi," and "hemi." A 512th note, for example, is the same as a hemidemisemihemidemisemiquaver. Try saying that three times fast!
Want to hear what a 128th note (semihemidemisemiquaver) sounds like? Listen to the Semihemidemisemiquaver Song on YouTube.
3. A word puzzle.
To solve a rebus, consider not just the words but the placement, size, color, and quantity of everything within the box (and sometimes just outside the box!) when trying to decipher the puzzle.
4. A fun fact.
You've likely heard of a piano, violin, saxophone, and drums, but are you familiar with a more modern instrument, the theremin?
What is a theremin? At just over 100 years old, the theremin is a relatively young instrument that requires no physical contact to play. Instead, sound changes based on the proximity of one's hands to the rod and loop antennae. The hand closest to the rod antenna controls the pitch while the other hand controls the volume.
Listen to (and watch) Clara Rockmore perform "The Swan" using a theremin.
5. Teach a personal discovery.
Have you ever thought about starting a band? If you want to make it big, you'll need a great band name.
How do you come up with a band name? Finding inspiration for the perfect band name can come from many places. Here's a fun way to let the internet decide for you:
First, use a title from Wikipedia's random article list to name your band. Then use the last 3-5 words in the first quote from a random quotations generator to come up with the title of your new album.
Examples:
- Thermochemical Cycle: "Every Action is a Thought"
- Thirty Acres: "To Go Where I've Never Been"
- Vehicle Registration: "Between a Leader and a Follower"
"Music begins where the possibilities of language end." –Jean Sibelius
Did you learn something new? Now's the time to pass on that knowledge! Be sure to come back next week for another five FUN things to teach your kids.
