Mary had a little lamb

In my last post "Ba Ba black sheep," Josh had started teaching Delores simple nursery rhymes by number of beats per measure. The first was "Ba Ba black sheep." She would sing the numbers to the tune of Ba Ba black sheep while hitting the drum every time she sang a number. She did this because when she tried to sing the words she would get hung up and she would go back to a 4/4 beat instead of what Josh was trying to teach her.

The second song he taught her was "Mary had a little lamb." He teaches her one line at a time (4-5 measures) over and over again until she has the beat memorized. Then they move on, doing a little at a time, until the whole song is memorized. Here is a you tube video of her singing the beats for "Mary had a little lamb." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpr-MoV0q5g&sns=em

I find her singing this way just a much as she sings words to other songs, which is very interesting to me. 

Josh told me recently that he was taking this time in their lessons to teach her songs and different beats to those songs and then teach her to sing while playing the drums because she has gotten to a point in her drumming where she cannot make her hands go any faster and they will not be moving on 16th notes for a while longer. So she will be getting a lot of practice with her 1/4 notes, 8th notes, playing with songs and singing while playing with songs. 

This week she learned how to sing and play the beat at the same time to "Ba Ba black sheep." Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9R8GkJdy0M&sns=em

It amazes me how quickly Josh can work with Delores even though she gives him such a hard time. As hard a time as she gives me. Maybe he should come home and take over the rest of the lessons too. Hahaha. I'm only kidding. I'm sure it's just because this is where she is strong and this is where Josh is strong and when they get together they make things happen. That to me is just beautiful.