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Bach FAQ 156
My Philosophy Is My “Secret” Plan: That Is, to “Outsmart” Your Kids When It Comes to Classical Music!..
By Peter Bach, Jr..
Please support our mission with mercy when it comes to your judgment of my definition of “Classical Music”. My ( ! ) definition is one of four “tiny bitter pills” in our – hopefully soon joint – project “Teaching Material Classical Music.” And “outsmarting” simply means that we want to accompany children – hopefully together – with fun, entertainment, and joy. To a place where they would never have expected this exciting music to be for their age group..
Please do not assume that our approach is intended to replace the many other tried-and-tested methods. Rather, my offer is intended to provide an additional opportunity to introduce children to Classical Music in a way that is enjoyable and fun. This is especially true if you also believe that it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince kids of the value of Classical Music..
That's us, the “hard core” of our Bach Mission. We are both creative. I take photos. Renate “tinkers” cool stuff on the PC. I like to write, especially a lot, and design websites. Renate is the only Bach genealogist left on the planet. © Roman Schreuer..
Explaining Classical Music is extremely difficult, both pedagogically and in general. The approaches of the “usual suspects” refer to music in Western civilization, as if kids didn't know that this doesn't include Bollywood music or African drumming. And then there is talk of “functional music.” As if “serious music” and “light music” weren't already inappropriate enough for such an explanation. Classical Music as an era is thrown in. This leads to problems because of the “conceptual proximity.” And finally, the following generally applies: ..
What characterizes Classical Music? Is it all music by gentlemen in woodcuts, oil paintings, and black-and-white photos? Even the “meager” works? Or is it always Classical Music when performed in black suits? Or even when a piece sounds “so different”? As crystal clear as most Classical Pieces are to recognize, it is difficult to explain how they are defined..
Without silliness, without humor, without a lighthearted approach, exaggerations, and borderline assertions, my new, “unconventional” description would be nothing more than a long, dry, unexciting approach. To present something cool in a child-friendly yet serious and educational way. That's how far we've come with our approach, “my bitter pill No. 1.”..
We, “2 + 1,” namely plus my big sister on the far right of the picture. She created the illustrations in my “Bach Biography for Children.” © Gerhard Kaune..
Our entire Teaching Project Classical Music in its extensive version, with its exciting facts, questions, trick questions, answers, silliness, and repetitions, has two objectives: first, to generate no knowledge. Second, to give Classical Music a positive image! That is then “my bitter pill No. 2.”..
Then there is my very own compilation of titles in my “Classical Top 100.” It is a collection of 300 works (... typical me). Given your affinity for Classical Music, you will now protest. But it makes a difference whether you listen to Classical Concerts occasionally, teach music, or are even a musician. This list is compiled based on what “my” experts contributed to the definition. I have included pieces that you would certainly not count as Classical Music. But then there is also young Classical Music. All in all, there is a significant difference between the “most famous ( ! ) Classical Works” and my Top 100..
Because of this rather bold core definition of what Classical Music actually is, I have also included young Classical Compositions in my list. Although with the respective warnings that these differ from conservative Classical Works for a large circle of Classical Music lovers. And their inclusion – the inclusion of young classical works – in the illustrious “circle of Classical Music by the very greatest masters” ... that is “my bitter pill No. 3.”..
So please give my approach a chance. And let's work together with the Mini-Publishing House that publishes the Teaching Project (... that's my wife) to open the door to Classical Music for more students. From our definition of Classical Music to the conservative view, it is then only a relatively tiny step in the next one or two decades. And every child will find that step then ... on their own..
No, on the left is not the current Publisher of Renate Bach Verlag. We haven't known each other that long. But on the right, that's me..
This also includes my philosophy of presenting unimportant information and just not too many names and facts in the homework and test material. In any case, no facts that the kids are supposed to memorize. The focus is absolutely not on “learning” a lot. Rather, my goal is for your kids to engage with the subject for as long as possible. So that later in life, they will have “heard of” the names of composers and titles before..
That is why the option of cheating by copying – which is possible and easy – should be deliberately tolerated. The aim should not be to get the best possible grade, but rather to use the cheating option – even during the test at home – to find out more about Classical Music on the internet ... and to spend time with Classical Music. In most cases, the aim is therefore simply to enable students to hear the names of great composers and works for the very first time. All of this leads to a more effective introduction to the subject for the few students who are more enthusiastic about this approach..
The “fourth little bitter pill” is my compilation of musical works if you, as a Classical Music fan, strongly disagree with allowing so many cheerful, light, and even borderline musical works to be classified as Popular Classical Music. Discuss this with your kids. Consider it my opinion as the author, feel free to criticize it as a mistake. And “argue against it”! What's the worst that can happen?..
Completely different, exciting, and also “outside the box”: The above is one of 20 Bach calendars published by the Bach Publishing House “Bach 4 You.” Click here to visit the shop. And with your purchase, you will be helping to finance our “Classical Music for Children Mission” and the “Bach Mission.”..
Of course, the Publisher also offers conservative Bach calendars. This one above is not one of them, of course. Or is it?..
Calendars, as they are known in Germany, busts, and typical Bach merchandise can be found at “Bach 4 You” in the Online Shop in Flein near Heilbronn, southern Germany. T-shirts, calendars, as you have them in the US, and many other items featuring music and composer designs are best found at “Zazzle.” Click here for all shops..
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