Listen with all ears

In this Music Notebook, we focus on the main types of sounds found in our sound environment. We offer some tips on choosing the right kind of music to listen to with young children. Finally, we suggest a musical awareness activity focused on listening.

Not all sounds are equal

The sound environment that fills our ears is constantly changing. New sounds are added very often: the noise of a passing car, the crackling of the radio, the buzz of conversations, birds singing, etc. Some sounds sometimes disappear from our sound environment, giving an impression of silence. However, not all sounds are equal. In our daily lives, we encounter four different types of sounds.

Our sound environment is sometimes filled with silence, when we hear nothing or almost nothing. We are often surprised by noises that are unpleasant to the ear (hammering, emergency vehicle sirens). Our sound environment is also filled with natural sounds (the sound of birds, the sound of the wind, a person talking). There are also musical sounds, which we associate with music (a person or bird singing, the sound of a musical instrument).

Each of these sounds and noises has a particular colour, which we call timbre. This is particularly striking when comparing musical instruments. You can play exactly the same note with the same intensity on two instruments, yet the sound they produce will be different.

Musical instruments are divided into three main families: strings, winds, and percussion. Each type of instrument produces a particular tone colour. As you can easily imagine, the timbre will be different depending on whether the sound is produced by a string instrument (violin, guitar, piano), a wind instrument (flute, trumpet, clarinet), or a percussion instrument (drum, xylophone, maracas).

The material from which the musical instrument is made will also influence the colour of the sound. There are instruments made of wood in each of the three major families (guitar, recorder, xylophone). The same is true for the use of metal (banjo, saxophone, cymbals).

How to choose music for toddlers?

To guide you in your musical choices, here are some practical tips to keep in mind. If you want to share your love of music with young children, it’s like with vegetables: it’s important to offer them variety to help them develop their palate and discover what they like best. It is very beneficial to gradually expose children to a variety of musical styles, such as songs, classical music, rock, pop, blues, jazz, and folk music.

However, if you feel that the child does not appreciate one of your suggestions, offer them something else. You can come back to it another time.

To start with, it is best to choose simpler music for very young children. Gradually, you can introduce richer and more complex pieces. Songs, nursery rhymes, and folk music are well suited to the new ears of young children. They often feature simple melodies and repetitive music and lyrics that are easy to learn and remember. You can listen to and replay the pieces that children enjoy (or even sing them), since repetition is comforting and helps with memorization. Lullabies, which are often simple and repetitive, are particularly popular with young children.

Simple classical music can also be introduced at a young age. Its harmonious, melodic, and structured nature makes it enjoyable and accessible. New musical styles can then be introduced as the child develops their ear and taste.

An activity to listen to intently

As in previous Music Notebooks, we suggest activities for you to enjoy with your family. This time, we suggest activities centered around listening.

Instrument families

As mentioned earlier, the three major families of instruments have different timbres. To illustrate this, listen to the following three pieces.

1.Plus tôt, d’Alexandra Streliski.

2.Canción Triste de Jesse Cook

3.Darben the Redd Fox de Dizzy Gillespie

Questions

Can you guess which family of instruments is used in each piece? What are the differences between the pieces? How would you describe the colour and emotion that each piece conveys?

Suggested answers

1. Alexandra Streliski’s piece is played on the piano. A struck string instrument made of wood. The piece is neoclassical in style. Although the piano is a stringed instrument, it is small hammers that strike the strings to produce sound. Surprising as it may seem, the piano can also be considered part of the percussion family.

2. Jesse Cook’s piece is played on the guitar, a plucked string instrument made of wood. The piece is in the flamenco style. Occasionally, the musician also strikes the body of the guitar with his hand, using it as a percussion instrument.

3. Dizzy Gillespie’s piece is played on the transverse flute, a wind instrument made of metal. The piece is in the jazz style.

See you soon for another winter Music Notebook!