Hello all,

I am currently teaching my girls pitch and harmony. Two of them were already gifted with pitch so I have started on harmony. Teaching pitch is a little different, when I was younger I thought everyone was born with pitch, but that is not the case (listen to the top 40 nowadays). Does anyone have any suggestions for teaching pitch aside from online instructions? We are learning "Down by the river to pray" and "John the Revelator" along with plenty of OLDER hymns from a couple of hymnals from the late 1800's to the early 1900's.

On a little different note, when reading the lyrics from these different denominational hymnals I found two things interesting. First the differences in their teaching was barely noticeable. but today these three denominations disagree with each other vehemently. Secondly, when compared with preaching of the good news today (aside from SC) they were much better founded in truth.

Thanks for any help anyone could give with teaching pitch. They are getting very tired of "momma made me mash my m&ms" and other assorted arpeggios.

-D.J.

D.J., can you teach me? I believe I am tone deaf, LOL. Seriously, I don't even know for sure what pitch and harmony really is....I can assume that pitch is being able to hit high notes, and harmony is to be able to sing with others without drowning them out? So, if that is the truth, I need help? It is very good that you are teaching your children now, I love old spiritual hymns and will try to sing no matter what and just feel bad for those around me.

God bless,
YSIC, Kandy

Good luck to you and your music.That is an awesome way to edify and pay tribute to the LORD. I'm sure your answers will come.
In reference to the differences,you noticed in the teachings of the past,as opposed to those of the present---man is never content. He always chooses to place his own spin on things. Sadly,this will continue to get worse,and can be seen,by comparing many verses,in various bibles today.

I don't know much about singing....LOL
I do know that there's a big difference today in the hymns than it was years ago.
I have some old hymn books that belonged to my Grandma. In the index there's a section on Second Coming not rapture.
It's easy to see why most modern day churches can't sing those old hymns anymore,the old ones would contradict what they teach today.
I'm glad I heard all those old hymns when I was a child. My Grandma had an old pump organ and would play and sing hymns everyday.
I still try to sing them.

Kandy, I never said I was any good at teaching! I am trying pretty hard though. The hardest part for me is trying to put things on a level someone with no knowledge of the subject can understand. (You can read more into that than what I wrote) But I am working on that! What I meant by pitch I guess was the difference between dissonance and resonance. Having her hear a note and singing that same exact note being neither sharp or flat but just right. Drill, drill, drill. I guess it's just going to take repetition. Hitting the high notes for one of them in particular right now is still a dream, I'm just trying to get her somewhere close to the note at all!

-D.J.

Wish I could help you DJ,but I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

I am just glad He said sing a joyful noise and not a pretty in harmony,non abrasive one.

Hey D.J.,

Are you utilizing an instrument in this process? If you have a piano, you could play individual notes repetitively and have your daughter "la la la" or "mi mi mi" along with the notes. Once it sounds like she has that note down, move up or down a half step (sharp or flat). Or, maybe just stick with whole steps for now.

This might help her acquire an ear for the pitch of the varying notes on the scale. This could also be done with a guitar... individual notes, as well as chords (with a capo). I've never actually tried this with anyone, but it's all that comes to mind. I'm not sure how instructors teach pitch, but this may just work.

You'll have to keep us posted on your progress.

ybiC,
Will

The only time my singing voice is perfect is when I'm alone. Strangest thing happens to it when others are around.

Okay... The good thing is that you continue to try and children are born to learn, it is when we get older where it may be more difficult....teaching an old dog new tricks so to speak..., I continue to try to sing, and my daughter just says, Mom please, and I just say, What...?

I believe we all will be able to sing just beautifully when we are with our Father in the eternity, in the mean time, I'll just keep doing the best that I can.

Lots of good suggestions being shared.

God bless,
YSIC, Kandy

AMEN!, when we are singing the "Song of Moses" NO ONE will be out of tune! PRAISE HIS HOLY name.