All of MVM's in-person programs are closed until it is deemed safe to gather in groups. We are running virtual programs with our current students. We have also created a list of online resources for anyone to use, which you will find below. Additionally, we have a special "Let's Write a Song Together" program. Have your child send us a poem, lyrics, a description of their day, a photo, etc., and our community of musicians will write and record a song based on that information. Email monica@myvoicemusic.org for more information and/or to share your song ideas!

Below you’ll find a guide for songwriting ideas and group activities, as well as supplemental resources related to playing ukulele, guitar, and bass, as well as recording. Please reach out to us if you have other ideas! We would love your feedback. Email us here: info@myvoicemusic.org

MUSICAL RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES FROM MY VOICE MUSIC

These are activities and resources designed to facilitate music and poetry activities without having to be a musician or poet. These are “just add water” activities! Feel free to make any accommodations or variations, and make it work for you and your program.  

SONGWRITING IDEAS

• Journal/Songwriting prompts

GROUP ACTIVITIES

• Community activities (things you can do for Icebreakers, group activities, somatic exercises, etc.)

MUSICAL INSTRUCTION VIDEOS FROM MVM STAFF

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES BELOW:

UKULELE & GUITAR CHORD CHARTS, TUNING, & TUTORIALS

Ukulele:

• Basic

• Comprehensive

• Tutorial for playing common ukulele chords

Guitar:

• Basic

• Comprehensive

• Tutorials for playing common chords

Tuning your ukuleles and guitars: 

• Ukulele tuning

• Guitar tuning

Popular ukulele song tutorials:

• “I’m Yours” - Jason Mraz

• “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

• “Riptide” - Vance Joy

• “Tonight You Belong to Me” - Billy Rose/Lee David (1926)

Song charts:

• Songs with lyrics and chords

Songwriting tips: 

• Tips for writing lyrics to any instrumental track

• Tips for writing a melody to any lyrics

• Writing a Chorus vs. Verse (video!) 

Sing-along and instructional videos from MVM staff:

• Popular songs

• Instructional videos

ONLINE MUSIC & RECORDING LESSONS

Berklee Pulse

• The Berklee PULSE® Music Method is a unique and innovative online music education portal that enables students to study, jam, and practice using interactive modules and an ever-expanding collection of popular music. PULSE is open to anyone, with exclusive resources available through Berklee City Music and select public school partners. Reach out to Luke (luke@myvoicemusic.org) for access.

Guitar, bass & ukulele lessons

• Fender Play

  • Bite-sized lessons, professional-quality video, track your progress, learn by playing songs you love, practice anywhere, any time, on any device.

Interactive learning tools

• Chrome Music Lab

  • Chrome Music Lab is a website that makes learning music more accessible through fun, hands-on experiments. Create a song, visualize melodies, explore the science of sound.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Training

• Reaper (for Mac or PC)

  • Reaper DAW 101:- The Basics - PART 1 (Video)

• GarageBand (for Mac)

  • Tutorials

• Logic (for Mac)

  • Getting started

• Pro Tools (for Mac or PC)

  • Getting started (Video)

• Audacity (for Mac or PC)