Busy Kids Love Music

Happy Earth Day! Today, we’re celebrating our beautiful planet the best way we know how—through music! 🎶 For centuries, composers have found inspiration in nature, and in this episode, we’re exploring three stunning pieces that bring the sounds of the Earth to life. 🎼 Featured Music: Beethoven’s "Pastoral Symphony" – A joyful musical journey through the countryside, filled with singing birds, flowing streams, and even a thunderstorm! Smetana’s "The Moldau" – A breathtaking piece that follows the journey of a mighty river as it winds through forests, villages, and castles. John Luther Adams' "Become Ocean" – A modern, atmospheric work that captures the vastness and movement of the deep blue sea. Your Turn! After listening, step outside and create your own "Earth Symphony" using the sounds of nature around you. Can you hum like the wind, tap like raindrops, or play an instrument to mimic the outdoors? More Music: Want to listen to the full recordings of the pieces from this episode? Find them in our special playlist by clicking here. [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-X6L6anDoNge6X3IDYX40AC&si=rMK7dcFwXhGFO4g3] 🌍 Let’s celebrate Earth Day by listening, creating, and caring for our planet! 💚 📆 Next Episode: I’ll be back in two weeks with more musical fun—see you then!

"April showers bring May flowers!" This common saying reminds us that rainy days lead to beautiful spring blooms. In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re exploring three classical pieces that capture the sound and feeling of rain. From gentle drizzles to powerful storms, these composers found incredible ways to bring rain to life through music. 🎵 Music Featured in This Episode: 1️⃣ "Raindrop" Prelude – Frédéric Chopin * Listen for the repeating note that sounds like steady raindrops. * Did you know Chopin may have been inspired by a real rainstorm while staying at an old monastery? 2️⃣ "Gardens in the Rain" – Claude Debussy * A fast, playful piece that feels like a sudden spring rainstorm. * Debussy even weaves in snippets of old French nursery rhymes—can you hear them? 3️⃣ "Cloudburst" – Eric Whitacre * A musical journey through a thunderstorm, featuring voices whispering, fingers snapping, and hands clapping to create the sound of rain! 🌟 Listen & Learn: Want to hear the full performances of these pieces? I've put together a special YouTube playlist so you can enjoy them all week long! Find the link here:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-VYOFZa_JGa5Vw6-m8FnwtW&si=7MPTAA8OYH0lxXKY [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-VYOFZa_JGa5Vw6-m8FnwtW&si=7MPTAA8OYH0lxXKY] Join me again in two weeks for another musical adventure! Until then, listen closely to the world around you—you never know what might inspire your next favorite melody.

Hi friends! Have you ever wondered what makes a sonata different from other pieces of music? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of sonatas—one of the most important forms in classical music! You’ll learn: ✅ What the word "sonata" means and where it comes from ✅ How composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn used a special structure called sonata form ✅ How to listen for the exposition, development, and recapitulation in famous sonatas 🎧 We’ll explore examples from Mozart’s “Easy Sonata,” Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” and more! Listen closely and follow along as we break down the form of these timeless masterpieces. 🎵 Download the Free "Sonata Roadmap" Worksheet! I’ve created a fun printable worksheet to help you map out sonata form while you listen. Grab your free download by clicking here. [https://bkdp.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Sonata+Listening+Map.pdf] 🎼 Listen Along with Our Sonata Playlist! Want to explore more beautiful sonatas? I’ve put together a special Sonata Playlist so you can hear this form in action. Click here to listen to the playlist. [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-V4sGGHuYieKtXpbMdQxIsm&si=5sikNOW9L1erJqz3] 💡 Challenge: As you listen to a sonata, try to identify when the exposition ends, when the development begins, and when the recapitulation brings everything back together. It’s like following a musical treasure map! 🗺️🎶 Thanks for tuning in to Busy Kids Love Music! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode. Until next time, keep listening and keep learning!

Happy (almost) St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re traveling back in time to explore the life and music of one of Ireland’s most beloved composers—Turlough O’Carolan. Known for blending traditional Irish melodies with European Baroque influences, O’Carolan created music that is still performed and loved today. 🎵 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Who was Turlough O’Carolan, and how did he become a traveling harpist? ✅ What are planxties, and why did O’Carolan compose them? ✅ How did he blend Irish folk music with Baroque elements from composers like Bach and Vivaldi? ✅ Listen to some of his most famous works, including: * Carolan’s Concerto  * Planxty Irwin  * Sí Beag, Sí Mhór  🎧 Listen & Learn More: Curated Playlist – Enjoy a hand-picked selection of O’Carolan’s most famous compositions [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-W9oj6xOzwrPPf1TpO_zbfM&si=aVwMMZLJbYrF6zsS], perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! Find it here! [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-W9oj6xOzwrPPf1TpO_zbfM&si=aVwMMZLJbYrF6zsS] Thank you for tuning in to celebrate Irish music with me!  Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day, and don’t forget to enjoy some traditional Irish tunes. See you in two weeks for another brand-new episode! Until then—keep listening and learning!

In this special Black History Month episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we explore the life and legacy of the extraordinary musician and composer, Blind Tom Wiggins. Born into slavery in 1849, Blind Tom overcame immense challenges, including blindness and exploitation, to become one of the most celebrated musical prodigies of the 19th century. Join me as we delve into his remarkable story, his unique musical talent, and his enduring contributions to American music. Learn about his compositions, including his dramatic retelling of a Civil War battle in "The Battle of Manassas," and discover how his life continues to spark conversations about genius, resilience, and the history of Black music. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * The early life and extraordinary talent of Blind Tom Wiggins. * How his musical abilities were both celebrated and exploited during his lifetime. * The role of African American spirituals and folk music in shaping his compositions. * Speculation on whether Blind Tom may have been neurodivergent. * How his legacy is remembered and honored today. Links and Resources: * 🎶 Curated Playlist of Blind Tom Wiggins' Compositions [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKdW5enb0-VCvzh2FoSKWi7xFbWzKeK0] – Listen to his stunning works and experience his genius firsthand. * Learn more about Blind Tom Wiggins’ life through this resource f [https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/marvelous-musical-prodigy]rom the National Museum of African American History and Culture and this documentary from American Masters PBS episode [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDAhHh3VPyE] Thank You for Listening! Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Busy Kids Love Music. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode in two weeks! You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts.