Wise Folk Education

Most of you know by now that we’re raising a second set of kids, and we have chosen the K-12 Educational System for their guidance. The K-12 system is actually a public school alternative; our children receive their instruction over computers with daily tests and activities assuring they understand the material. They are monitored daily by public school teachers who have moved to K-12 because of the excellent instruction they are able to give their students, without having to focus on malcontents and silliness of regular public schools. They are tested with the public school kids and show higher marks for their learning effort; the learning is top-notch.

Our children are doing very well and participate in the higher level classes; our seventh grader is in high school math, and usually ranks at a very high level statewide; she has won many awards for her talent. And our sixth grader son is a computer whiz, often programming detailed programs with a need to know musical composition to raise his programs from good to great. But, they are missing something very important in their education. Without a knowledge of music theory, I fear that many applications of mathematics, physics, humanities, computing and quiet sports lose the touch of magnificence when the full spectrum of music is not applied.

It has always seemed to me that my excellent musical education always fit nicely into the learning of sciences and humanities; somehow, that basic programming for musical theory opens up a deeper understanding of other subjects, and allows me to learn them in an ordered fashion that was often based upon my music understanding. While the K-12 system does an excellent introductory musical class for the young students, it is not carried on in the middle or higher grades. Thus, my children’s education is limited; which is exactly the reason why Wise Fold Education was created. The things lacking in their homeschool and public education can be found on the Internet with diligent searching.

The criteria I have used in the past is that it must be free and of the highest quality to receive inclusion in this Wise Folk directory. Today, I’m going to add one that offers some free musical theory, with a lot more musical instruction that costs money. I’ve searched the Internet for some time, and have been unable to locate a top quality musical instruction that offers these type of fun lessons that give students the ability to hone their ear and their mind into music understanding.

Theta Music Trainer is a top-notch music education internet application, with numerous musical games to teach the things of tunes. There are enough “free” lessons to give you an idea of what we are seeking for inclusion into our Wise Folk Directory. If you know of some great musical education programs out there, especially those that charge no money, let us know! We’re always searching, always seeking the best educational sites, and we would be delighted to find deep musical education out there in the big world of internet. Until then, enjoy the free learning portions of Thea Music Trainer while you search for more opportunities to learn the theories of music.

That is the idea behind this Listening Resource that offers a database of music titles for guided learning. Musical elements, composers, genres, strategies and grade appropriate lesson plans are arranged for ordered learning.  Rhythm, melody, tembre, articulation, harmony, texture, form, expression, time and place are addressed with suggested music sources adding to music appreciation. Many of the music selections can be found free on the Internet; with the database resource for listening in hand, a good education of music theory can be gained just by following the list.

David Becker