Lisa Monet Music Blog

2011-11-14T17:20:00.001-08:00

Two significant updates in my world: 1. I'm the Music Director at the Mistwood Montessori School in Eureka, CA, having returned after a long absence there, and 2. I am in between homes, having sold the family home and studio of 23 years, while preparing to move into our new place. These are both wonderfully rewarding experiences for which I am thoroughly grateful! At this time, I am

Lisa Monet Music Blog: Singing and Signing

2011-05-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Lisa Monet Music Blog: Singing and Signing

"Grow it At Home"

2011-04-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

"Grow it at Home" is another gem from the prolific singer/songwriter, Peter Alsop. Peter's latest album is ripe with family fun and bursting with tunes about relationships, sustainable food and resources, animal rights, and social issues. As with all of Peter's projects the emphasis is on healthy families. Peter's irreverent humor and openness to any topic under the sun get kids thinking

Singing and Signing

2011-03-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

One of the most rewarding things I've learned over my 30-plus years of sharing music is that adding sign language to lyrics is universally appealing. The mother of a toddler with a disability first showed me some basic signs that her son responded to with enthusiasm and success. This got me started, and inspired me to write a song, "Hearts and Hands" about how we can all benefit from each

Music Advantages

2011-02-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

Seeing "The King's Speech" has drawn me back to early classical memories when my parents would crank up the volume on their beloved vinyl discs. I keep playing a recording of Beethoven's Symphony #7, a part of which rings out in the final scene of the movie. Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. I know that's true for you too. We respond to rhythm, melody, lyrics,

Music Therapy

2011-01-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

Reading about the topic of Music Therapy recently, I was fully engaged in learning more about a colleague, Amber Bobnar of Boston Children's Music, and her son, Ivan. She lists the benefits of incorporating music with children: Music can facilitate: attention recognition communication anticipation fine and gross motor skills social skills patterning (such as counting or pre-reading skills)

Happy New Year and New Dreams!

2011-01-03T17:09:00.000-08:00

I recently got asked to join a renowned singer/songwriter at a family concert he was doing in our area. I consider this a milestone in my music career. He’s a Grammy nominee and has traveled all over the world sharing his beautiful, life-affirming songs. Here’s more about him: http://www.redgrammer.com/ And he wanted to sing—with—-me. I almost said no. It would be a stretch for me and take me

Red Grammer comes to town again! Part 1

2010-12-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

Red Grammer came to our town again to sing for us last week in the historic Eureka Theater in Eureka, California. I was honored and tickled pink to be given the opportunity to join him on a couple of songs. We did his song "Listen" and I echoed his words in Spanish and also signed many of the words and phrases. Then I shared my song "One World/Un Mundo". Local schools were bussed in to enjoy

A Big Thank You to Public Libraries

2010-11-23T20:13:00.000-08:00

I dedicate this post to our local libraries. I am enormously grateful to have a lovely place where I can go regularly and get things for free. Besides the time-honored and beloved books, there’s a whole array of different genres of music on CDs to check out: Classical, Jazz, Showtunes, Rock, Country, Blues, Experimental, Spiritual, Latin, Popular, Reggae, Rap—to name a few—and of course, music

2010-11-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Greetings dear Reader, What a magical time of year this is, with the crisp, spicy scents and brilliant colors….and the songs! We’re heading into the season of some of the most beautiful music of all time. I have a concert coming up this Saturday which will be at one of the elegant “Women’s Clubs” in our area. This event marks the second annual benefit concert for the local Redwood Coast

Music Mondays with Birdsong

2010-10-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Greetings, dear Reader! From last Monday’s Music Magic: How I love Shell’s musical notes and their joyful pattern, and hearing about Amanda and Rachel doing chores accompanied by < loud! > music, Zanna’s windsong and Bela Fleck tunes, Zanna and Kate’s mention of bird song clocks, L.J.’s rain and other Nature music, and Nichole’s field trip songs featuring pumpkins and skeletons!!

Fun Music CD Giveaway!

2010-10-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

The awesome Boston Children's Music site is doing a very fun children's music CD giveaway. Check it out and enter to win. They have reviewed my children's music albums and done giveaways with them. And once I won a cool Leeny and Tamara CD! Very fun! You'll like visiting Boston Children's Music...happy giveaway entering!

Animal Sounds---Nature's Music

2010-10-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have a new guitar student, 10. She is keenly motivated to learn classical guitar. After the second lesson she was moved to show me a book about birds with an accompanying CD which she wanted me to borrow and enjoy til next week. So last night at dinner, with Dh, ds, and his new love, we listened to the bird CD for the first time. It’s about an hour of bird songs, all kinds. Then we put it

My Everyday Music

2010-10-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Monday in October---- it's "Walk and Roll to School" Month, and October 6th, Wednesday, is International Walk and Roll to School Day! "A record 40 countries officially participated in Intl. Walk and Roll to School events in 2009...and more are expected this year. These events raise awareness about the positive ways that walking, bicycling, and skating to school help children,

Opening your mind to new sounds

2010-09-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings of love, joy and peace! And happy wishes for a meaningful and rewarding week! On Saturday my husband and I attended a friend’s birthday bash for her milestone birthday. She’s a dancer, drummer, photographer, and river raft guide among other things! We were treated to a thrilling front-row show of African and Samba dancers and drummers in full regalia and awesome, top-notch precision.

Woody Guthrie

2010-09-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Found in an old Folkways vinyl lp, "Songs to Grow On for Mother and Child" composed and sung by Woody Guthrie. Here are excerpts from Woody's philosophy on sharing songs with kids: "I want to see you join right in, do what your kids do. Let your kids teach you how to play and how to act these songs out. Get your whole family into the fun. Get papa. Get mama. Get brother. Get sister. Get

Music Memories

2010-09-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Summer highlight: (so far!) Dh and I got invited to a “Tree House Resort” weekend in Southern Oregon! I came back with bruises and bumps from attempting some of the rope swings, zip rides, and steep ladders to sleep in cozy lofts—-and it was all worth it! One of the highlights: sitting around the campfire after dinner passing guitars around and hearing a wide spectrum of musical offerings from

Shake your Boompa, Baby!

2010-08-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

It took longer than we anticipated, but our latest CD release is finally up and available on CD Baby Discover Music!!! Circle Time 2, More Songs and Rhymes for the Very Young, includes 23 spirited tracks to put a big smile on your face and a song in your heart!! Click the links to see the cover art and listen to samples, including "One World" with verses in English, Spanish, and Russian. While

Enjoy Life - Overcome Stress, Fear, Anxiety Naturally

2010-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Life - Overcome Stress, Fear, Anxiety Naturally

Singing Games

2010-08-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

For those of you with very young children and those of you who homeschool, here's a user-friendly site with song and game ideas to try. They even include variations and tips for toddlers! I found it while looking for Singing hand games for the very young When it comes to combining singing with hand motions and games for young children, the fun and social interaction are very rewarding!

Song Magic

2010-07-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

I’m brimming with wonderful energy from events and song ideas which is what I want to share with you today!!! Have you been to a Folklife Festival lately? Here’s a sweet one that happened this weekend…(I got in on a ukulele workshop, not shown here, but anyway… My Dh captured this “Beatles Sing-a-long Workshop” at the festival…Sweet!! Here’s one for helping a child center and find balance:

Music Memories

2010-07-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

The following is from a recent post I submitted as a regular contributor for the blog, My Everyday Magic Each Monday, under my pen name, "The Song Fairy" I get to address the subject of music. This week I had to dig deep... What's on the music menu for today? I've been sitting here thinking and thinking about what to post today for Music Monday and haven't been able to latch on to an idea to

Bust out in song

2010-07-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a regular contributor for the delightful My Everyday Magic blog which celebrates simple abundance and gratitude. There I am known as The Song Fairy and Mondays I start the posting with ideas for everyday music magic. Music and magic simply go together. There's an element of magic that happens each time you bust out in song----from a soft, throaty hum to a full-blown, head-back, belted

Children and getting to perform with them

2010-07-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

What a joy to be around kid energy, especially where there's music and singing going on! Adorable faces, wise little beings join me here to sing and sign my song "One World": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1DHcLJYBM

Musical Sister-Schools and Musical Pen Pals

2010-06-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

An interview with Robbie Schaeffer truly inspired me. He had the opportunity to take his music to Uganda and work with kids and develop his foundation OneVoice "to help to create and cultivate peace and cultural awareness through musical sister-school relationships between kids abroad and kids here in the U.S. Kind of like musical pen pals whose "conversation" would then be broadcast to our

Musical Preferences: Are we "prewired"?

2010-06-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

From "Ask the Expert" on NOVA's Musical Minds special with Oliver Sacks, Neurologist and expert on Music and the brain at pbs.org ("oliver sacks"): Q: Do you think we are prewired for our music preferences? I find that folk and Celtic music speak to my soul. My son, who is a music major, is a jazz lover. We each hate each other's preferences. I don't understand why we are so different. My

Building Personal Strength: The Unconscious Magic of Music

2010-05-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

Building Personal Strength: The Unconscious Magic of Music

You think you're singing....Part I

2010-05-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

You think you're singing---there's a melody, the words, some sort of pattern----However you look at it or think about it, that's singing. There you are, tapping into one of the very things that makes you human. Children do this so naturally. I think even if they've never heard another soul singing, children will sing. One parent told me recently that her child is singing in sentences before

Lisa Monet Music Blog: Hoopa and the Hupa culture and language

2010-05-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Lisa Monet Music Blog: Hoopa and the Hupa culture and language

Hoopa and the Hupa culture and language

2010-05-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday May 8th, I play at the Hoopa Public library in Hoopa, CA. I'll be doing a program of songs for families, and I want very much to include a few words in the Hupa language. Googling this subject brings up some fascinating information, including the sweetest collection of songs in Hupa by Alice Pratt, recorded and posted on a Humboldt University site. Wikepedia gives some links

The Merry Month of May!

2010-05-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

I played at an Arts Alive event last night, and it was inspiring to be a part of community singing at its best. All ages were drawn into the music, from familiar medleys to fun echo songs. Little toddlers to elegant seniors found themselves responding to the magic of music shared. Pure joy. Halleluiah. Big thanks to all those who came out to support this event, and to the merchants and

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

What songs come to mind that have earth-related themes? "This Land is Your Land" Pete Seeger "We're All A Family Under One Sky" Ruth Pellham "Deep Blue Sea" by _______________ "Over in a Meadow" by ________________ "Down in the Valley" by __________________ "The Thunder Song" Vicki Neville "Habitat, Habitat, Gotta have a Habitat!" by ________________ "The River is Wide" by __________________

Duck and Geese Music!

2010-04-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Did you see the story recently of a little duck family in Dallas, TX, being assisted to find their way safely to water? Darling! It brings to mind the symphony of migrating birds this time of year! This story also reminds me of my sister Wendy's boyfriend, Roger, a big farmer in the Sacramento, CA Valley, who started a "save the wild ducks" campaign among all the farmers there. He and a partner

Boost your brain power with these fun hand games!

2010-04-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here are two hand games, 1. for littles, and 2. for biggers. Give them a try; they are easier than they might appear!! Find many more, thanks to this cool site: beachnet.com1. FIVE plum PEAS in a PEApod PRESSED.ONE grew, TWO grew, SO did all the RESTAnd they GREW and they GREW and they NEver STOPPEDand they GREW so BIG that the PEApod POPPED!Instructions: Start with your hands in fists, knuckles

Music Monday Magic responses

2010-04-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

What a delight to get so many "music magic" ideas and ways to make singing part of our daily lives, in response to my last week's post as the Song Fairy!* from Kate: bedtime songs and her son Finn's song-making* from Maryjo: the sock monkey commercial! And this take-off of it that my husband and son did!!: Sock Monkey Sorrento* from Samantha: Song blessings, and "special songs that each of her

"My Everyday Music" fairy post

2010-04-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

In my capacity as The Song Fairy on "My Everyday Magic", here are my Music Monday notes:* Old, lovely hymns from my childhood church days surfacing sweetly in my mind on Easter Sunday!* Getting a great review of our Spanish/English children’s music CD, Tingaleyo, from a big East Coast music site!!!* Finding more clapping games! Oh, I hope you will try them! Remember, they’re good for all ages,

Energetic Expressions

2010-03-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Just found the loveliest blog, Aura Art Creations, by a "fellow fairy" I met at My Everyday Magic. She's the coolest artist, living and creating in Guam. Check out her lively blog!

My Everyday Music!

2010-03-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here is my post for an upcoming Monday on the "My Everyday Magic" blog:* Getting to go to 2 big education conferences this week and share my music!* Sharing with group leaders how easy and fun it is to slip songs in everywhere, any time.* Gently emphasizing that we are all natural music-makers and singers---and that there is no such thing as a "bad" singer!!.* Learning about all the song-writing

Aren't we all singers? or What happened to singing in the Classroom?

2010-03-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Here is a letter I wrote to Rick Morris, a renowned education workshop presenter and master problem-solver. I highly recommend checking out his New Management website.What I see as the challenge in the subject of my music workshops is getting teachers to realize the value and rewards of singing regularly with their students. To engage in this, they have to be comfortable with their voices and

Using music to change your life

2010-02-27T14:27:00.000-08:00

The Tao of Music, by Dr. John M. Ortiz, is about using music to change your life for the better. Dr. Ortiz uses behavioral, cognitive, and affective psychological techniques incorporated with toning, chanting, affirmations, and visualization to help you deal with issues such as chronic pain, lack of self-esteem, depression, anger and more.He offers "Musical Menus" of carefully selected songs and

The double magic of children and music

2010-02-25T21:12:00.001-08:00

I attended a workshop this week which addressed the topic of blogs and bloggers, and this being one, I was duly attentive, pencil poised, eager to learn more."If you decide to start a blog," the presenter intoned "first be sure that you have something of worth to write about. And be prepared to post regularly and consistently!!"I squirmed a bit at that. No way have I been consistent with my

Libraries and shopping local

2010-02-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

Big shout-outs to our local libraries and all the local businesses who make our lives easier and more enjoyable!!I so appreciate all the independent stores who make our CDs available and make shopping such a pleasure.And what a joy it is to visit the library! I love to read and I love to sing, and I get to do both at libraries. Watch for the next family music event there!Visit the library often

Notes from the "Good Teaching" Conference

2010-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

Just back from presenting my workshop "We All Sing with the Same Voice". About a 1,000 teachers and other leaders in education attended the CA Teaching Association's annual regional conference in Northern CA. this weekend. What an excellent opportunity to re-charge the spirit and catch up on the latest ideas, tools, and techniques for providing children with the best possible classroom

My first KEET TV video!

2010-01-17T12:27:00.000-08:00

How can you make more time for music in your children's daily lives? Asked by our local PBS station's "Ready to Learn" director to share some ideas on this topic, I've just made a video, with a professional video producer, (aka my husband) that is the pilot for our new series called "My Everyday Music". Here's some of what I shared:"We are all natural music-makers and music is meant to be a

"Sing in the New Year!"

2010-01-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Performing at KEET's "Sing in the New Year" event @ Main Library in Eureka. Would love to see you there! http://co.humboldt.ca.us/library/

Clean Slate

2010-01-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

At organizebythemonth.com via Twitter's @jlscissors, I found some great tips to help me in my resolution to be clutter-free:"I love January...it’s a new year and another chance for a new beginning. That’s what New Year’s Resolutions are all about. A clean slate to try again to make our lives better. It’s another chance to get it right this time....one resolution is to have my paperwork more

New Year's Motivation

2010-01-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

I have found two other blogs that got me super-charged for starting my new year. The captions that caught my eye were: 1. "My inner cat" at Blisschick.net This cat-loving blogger, observing her cats who aren't in the least prompted by what to do/not do, or by thinking there might be a better time to do it, resolves to not question her desires or dreams but instead go forward as the

Miracles and Magic

2009-12-24T16:25:00.001-08:00

At this time, in this season and into the promise of a glorious new year, I wish each and every one a bounty of love, joy, peace, and a wealth of creative fulfillment."God bless us every one!" Tiny Tim

Happy Holidays Half-price Offer!!!

2009-12-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

Award-winning family music CDs on Holiday Half Price Sale through the year at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/TGlzYIf this link doesn't work, simply go to CD Baby--- cdbaby.com ---and type Lisa Monet in the search box. You will easily find 3 titles, and they're all half price through the holiday season.Blessings galore to each of us, every one!

Holidays, Half-price Specials, and The Learning Triangle!

2009-12-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

Do you believe in magic? This whole year has been filled with special events and people, and if you look around right now you'll most likely see some magic to be grateful for. I'm a new contributer for My Everyday Magic at myeverydaymagic.com, and we are liberally distributing magic wishes to one and all---so you can expect more magic in your life!Two special events are coming right up. The "

My Everyday Magic

2009-11-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the magic of Twitter, the Sparkle Fairy and I have become friends. The Sparkle Fairy, aka Kate Street, started a blog a few months ago with the purpose of appreciating and sharing the daily magical moments that unfold. "My Everyday Magic" opens each day with a short-and-sweet list of recent things the Sparkle Fairy is happy and thankful for. It reminds me of my gratitude journal.

Back to square one of the "21 Day Challenge"

2009-10-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you start over. My 7th attempt. Getting better!

"21 Day Challenge"

2009-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you have to start over. (Now on my 5th attempt)

Mixing business with pleasure

2009-09-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Mixing business with pleasure and finding the right balance in your social-media efforts, is what I got from Derek Sivers's recent blog post. Here's a quote: "It's about being honest with your intentions. Many companies' “Social Media Strategy” is about appearing to be cool and part of the conversation. But they're not really interested in anything but selling."For me it's all so intertwined.

Taking a Joy Ride on the Social Media Bandwagon

2009-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

There's a whole world of thriving, life-affirming leaders in indie music out there, and the more you look for them the more you'll find. Since I've made it my business to spread the word about the empowering benefits of music for children, more and more fellow artists are surfacing for me, to my amazement and delight. How am I finding them? Through the blossoming networks of social media, and

My Everyday Magic

2009-09-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

I got to meet the Sparkle Fairy (on Twitter) and you will want to meet her too. She is the real deal and is showing us how to find and share the magic each and every day. As she puts it, "Who wouldn't like more magic in their lives?" I invite you to visit myeverydaymagic today. :D

Rejection

2009-09-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

"Definitely an optimist" is how most would describe me. Looking for the positive, staying on the sunny side of the street, and praising all that's good...This is how I've programmed myself to be---because after all, what's the alternative? And this upbeat attitude works for me most of the time.But rejection of one's creative endeavors---so hard! Today I got news that a company I'd been "wooing

You are what you listen to

2009-08-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

How much of our lives is shaped by our early music experiences? My children were the motivating drive for the veering of my whole career in music from adult to kid material. They're young adults now, but my work continues to be mainly in the kid/family genre because singing for and with children continues to delight and inspire me, and because it connects me to others in many fun and rewarding

"We Need Music to Survive"

2009-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

From an article my mom just sent: "I now understand that music is not part of "arts and entertainment." It's not a luxury, something we fund from budget leftovers. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of things. a way to express feelings when we have no words, a way to understand things with our hearts when we cannot grasp them with our minds. Music

Keeping music a rich part of our children's lives.

2009-07-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

I would love to hear your feelings about what music means to you and your family. My new Blog provides a forum for sharing views, resources, and fun tips to ensure that music is a rich part of our children's lives.

A BIG WELCOME TO MY NEW HOME PAGE

2009-07-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Deciding what words and tone will give readers a good idea of what my upgraded website has to offer. Does the following do it, I wonder?Welcome to Lisa Monet's Song Circle. This is where music is made and shared with kids and families, which means everyone. We hope you'll check out the music, videos, blog, photos, and ideas for making music together. To inspire, delight, and empower each

Love makes the world go 'round

2009-07-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

"There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another." Frank Zappa

Free Love Circus

2009-06-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

The Free Love Circus musicians, Brian and Chris, did sound for me and the four sets I did on the Youth Stage at the Mateel Fest last weekend, and then right after each set, played for their own show. These guys and their act were amazing. Their families are in the show too, and they've toured around the world. Check out their website, freelovecircus.com, and watch for them in your area! Chris

The Ukulele Social Club

2009-06-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

Just how far into the wacky world of ukuleles can one go? I keep getting lured in further...Up pops this site for "The Ukulele Social Club", and into it I plunge. Signed up and everything. It's just so darn cute....and so playable! Did you know "ukulele" comes from the Hawaiian words "jumping flea"?Makes you want to run out and get one, huh? So what instrument are you learning? Or which one

What instrument (or other new thing!) are you adding to your "repetoire"?

2009-05-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my "E-news" of updates and events schedule, the ukulele was something new (for me!) that I recently got up the nerve to add to my performances. Total fun. I was a little nervous about introducing something new to my established format. But considering how rewarding it can be to try something new, I would say it was well worth it. And, come on.. the ukulele? You gotta love

Woody Guthrie, Malvina Reynolds, & other musical heros

2009-05-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

Woody Guthrie's song "Put your finger in the Air" got such a good response when I shared it with a library group Wednesday. A sweet, silly, simple little song, but it can do wonders when shared and sung together. As Sarah Pirtle says, "Music builds community and directly fosters safety."And Malvina sings, "I'm awf'ly nervous lonesome, but I'm swell when I'm a crowd."

Your Early Music Influences

2009-05-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Very moving and fun to read others' comments about early music memories, and the kinds of music you listened to while growing up. I want to hear more about the artists that had an influence for you.Very early vinyl LP memories: I clearly remember "Gerald McBoing-Boing" making the sounds of the orchestra, because he couldn't talk! (from a Dr. Seuss story.) And some old western group yodeling

Early music memories

2009-05-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Lydie Mason commented on your status:"Playing duets on the flute with my dad on the piano or guitar; watching my parents roll up the rug to dance on the hardwood floor of our living room to big band standards; listening to the angels singing Christmas carols in the Norton Quartet; holding hands in a circle singing and giving thanks at the Monday Club on Sunday mornings; Charlie Riha, Dan Murray,

Kids' music (my first ever blog post!)

2009-05-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've been doing "kids' music" for over twenty years--songs inspired by my children, and as they grew, their friends, and lots of young audience members. It's given me such joy to work with children through music. Singing together establishes an instant rapport with people of all colors and cultures, and I love being a part of that connection.I was asked recently, "Why kids' music? What makes

New blog!

2009-05-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Just started. More soon! :D