A couple of years ago I had the privilege of reviewing what has become my favorite kids book about music: Here Come the High Notes. It was the first in a series of books by Marin Marka of FableNotes, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting her second book ever since. Well, I’m thrilled to announce that the wait is over!
Look Out for Low Notes introduces each of the twelve notes of the bass clef in the same fun way that the treble clef notes were presented – with clever names and expressive descriptions that kids remember long after the story is over (I know, because I’ve had not just students, but my little nephews ask me about Flying F or Sneaky G days after we turn the last page in the story!).
Beginning with the familiar Snooty C (a.k.a. Middle C), notes are introduced in descending order until Spacey F “moved into place…in the very last space.”
We used Here Come the High Notes as a daily part of our To France with Saint-Saëns and His Carnival piano camp last summer, and I can’t wait to incorporate this Look Out for Low Notes book with next year’s piano camp! You can get a brief peek at the magnet board and fuzzies we used as an interactive tool to make the story even more engaging for the students. They loved it!
I love the creative cast of characters that make up these stories, and I appreciate that Marin doesn’t employ mnemonic sentences, but sticks with memorable names for the notes themselves. So far, this has proven much more effective with students than trying to recall sentences that can sometimes be confusing and more of a crutch than an aid to their memory.
Seriously, aren’t these adorable?!
If you want to be in the first lineup of recipients of this fabulous fable, click over to the Kickstarter page and submit your pledge today (only 12 hours to go!). The project is well past the funding goal, so whatever package you select is guaranteed! $25 will get you a hardcover copy of Look Out for Low Notes and $49 will get you a Grand Staff Complete Value set with both books, plus workbooks, ebooks, audio books, and printables. This is a great addition to any studio and a unique gift for any little people in your life!
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