The Idea Generator
Music For Kiddos Podcast
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What do you do when you run out of ideas? As a music therapist or music educator, I’m sure you can relate to this. We look for inspiration for our lesson plans. We gather ideas for new songs we want to write for our clients. We search for intervention ideas for music therapy sessions.
I will admit: I have this kind of constant fear that I'm going to run out of ideas.
Even though I have a massive resource library of about 325 songs & resources and I add about 12 to 14 new things to it every month (they’re released to my membership site only), I have this constant fear that I'm going to run out of ideas of what to write or create.
That’s why, over the last few years I've actually come up with concrete ways to come up with ideas. As a result of using this strategy, I’ve realized that there’s actually an endless supply of ideas.
The best way for me to come up with ideas
My preferred method for coming up with ideas is to just be curious about life, and to notice ideas and life around me. That could mean being curious about things I see on a children's television shows or something I see in nature, things that people are talking about or what kids are interested in.
The second best way I come up with ideas is letting people know that I'm looking for ideas so they can send them to me. In example, I encourage members of the Music For Kiddos Community to send me their thoughts, and ideas of things that they wish they could have (like needing a parachute or cabasa song, which happened recently!).
How do I find musical ideas?
I go in depth about my tips on finding musical ideas and how I organize them (which helps me write 12 to 14 songs a month!) on episode 20 of the Music For Kiddos Podcast.
Need some help with coming up with some song ideas?
Grab this “cheat sheet”, The Idea Generator
Guitar is one of the mostly commonly requested instruments that kids want to learn. They’re motivated, excited… AND THEN THEY QUIT.
Why? The guitar is really hard for little hands. And as we teach kids the guitar, we might find ourselves:
Trying to teach kids that are too young (we recommend 9+)
Teaching full-sized chords to kid-sized hands (we recommend starting with mini-chords)
Teaching scale-based songs that kids aren't interested in learning (we recommend teaching their preferred music)
The problem? The guitar method books on the shelf are NOT made for kids in the 9 - 13ish age group. BEFORE they have stronger, larger hands. They need something specifically designed for THEM.
👉We have LOOKED (and looked and looked), and haven't ever found a stellar curriculum specifically developed for children that can teach guitar in a step-by-step, success-based way.
Until now. (WOOHOO!)
Guitar For Kids is our new success-based guitar method for kids 9+ developed by Jenna Hardy Pedersen.
Berklee College of Music graduate and music educator, Jenna, is laser-focused on helping her young guitar students succeed (and stick with!) the guitar.
This method includes:
A comprehensive guitar method PDF that details Jenna's step-by-step process
A printable instructor's packet that includes worksheets and 14 ready-to-use songs
A printable student manual
A printable 70-page workbook that walks teachers and kids through dozens of guitar exercises
25 videos that demonstrate course concepts and suggested songs
A Zoom office hour so you can ask Jenna questions (a replay will be available)
A certificate for two professional development credits upon completion
Questions? We’re happy to help! stephanie@musicforkiddos.com
We have partnered with West Music to offer free shipping on orders above $59.95 to Music For Kiddos Podcast’s listeners. Check out their incredible instruments and their incredible offerings at WestMusic.com or you can place your order at their customer service hotline at (800) 397-9378.
The code for free shipping is KIDDOS25. Make sure to check them out!
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