A Very Special Playlist for Your Baby
You do NOT want to miss the second part of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki‘s special playlist for your baby. Previously, I posted the first seven selections of this playlist labeled Vol. I-A. I also included brief notes about each composer.
Back in the 1980’s, Dr. Suzuki had chosen 28 pieces of music that he believed were essential listening for families with babies. He then asked Japanese Suzuki Teachers to encourage the families to listen to them everyday.
Sony released a two-disc recording of Dr. Suzuki’s selections. But, I have yet to find any reference to the recording online.
So I decided to find them on YouTube and share them with you! What follows is the seven selections labeled Vol. I-B.
Bring Beautiful Music to Your Whole Family
Dr. Suzuki did the time-consuming work choosing this list of music. So, all you have to do play this beautiful music for your baby. Actually, your whole family will enjoy and benefit from listening to these selections.
In a previous post, we talked about why classical music is a good way to start your baby’s playlist. However, there are certain types of classical music that are better suited for baby’s listening than others.
Dr. Suzuki chose music that is most appropriate for babies. He chose music of composers from different time periods. He also chose pieces written for various instruments, including voice.
I have searched out the second set of seven pieces from the list. I have provided video/audio recording from YouTube. Hence, you can use these two lists to create your own listening list for you and your baby.
The Next Seven Selections
Mozart, Brahms, and Dvorak
The first piece in the second set is the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791). It was written in 1787 for a string instrument ensemble (two violins, a viola, cello, and bass).
There are several rather catchy tunes in this piece. Mozart was a master of the melody. The joy of the piece quite simply will make your baby happy.
Bonus Activity for You and Your Baby
Every Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Baby Class begins with a ball rolling activity while Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is playing. You can do this activity at home with another adult or older sibling.
Roll the ball to each other using the back of your hand. Help your baby to make this motion to roll the ball. It’s fun and baby is learning to track the movement of objects.
The second piece is Sandmannchen by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). In English, the title means “sandman” which is appropriate for a lullaby. The vocal line is simple and the piano weaves a moving line around it.
The soprano on the recording I chose has a beautiful, lilting voice. You will find this selection utterly charming and peaceful. It is guaranteed to easily bring on a nap!
The third selection on this list is Humoreske by Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904). This composition enjoys many renditions by various instruments. While sifting through the videos, I found this one.
Violinist, Itzak Perlman and cellist, Yo Yo Ma perform it with and orchestral accompaniment. This duet arrangement is in a word, “delightful”. I hope you and your baby find it to be the same.
Another Mozart and Granados
Fourth on the list is Turkish March by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791). It is the last movement of his Piano Sonata No. 11 written in 1783. Hands down (pun intended), pianist Glenn Gould delivers quite a striking performance.
Gould plays it at a more calm tempo compared to other performers. He does a wonderful job, as well, with contrasting dynamics (loud and soft)
Also, he very carefully brings the melody out while putting the accompanying line more in the background. (Think rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time!). It’s almost like the piano is his own personal orchestra.
There is one more endearing quality about this recording. Like most of Gould’s recordings, if you listen very carefully, you can hear him humming along with the melody. Enjoy!
Spanish pianist and composer, Enrique Granados (1867-1916) wrote the next selection, Danza Espanolas, for piano in 1890. As is often the case, many Spanish composers use guitar like styles of playing. So even though the dances were written for piano, they transcribe very well to guitar.
Therefore, I chose the dance “Oriental” performed on guitar. Again, it creates quite a calming atmosphere for baby and you. Who doesn’t need that these days?!
Finally Schumann and Handel
The sixth composition on Dr. Suzuki’s list is Traumerei by Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Traumerei (Dreaming) is part of a group of pieces Schumann wrote in 1838 called “Scenes from Childhood”. I chose the recording of Russian-born pianist, Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989), performing a concert in Moscow for the first time in 61 years.
That 1986 concert was televised in the US and I had the privilege to view it. That was a real occasion because, unlike now, we could not just sit down to the computer and watch anything we wanted. It was still the Soviet era and Horowitz wanted to return to play for his country one more time. He would die three years later in 1989.
I hope this piece of music will wrap itself around your heart and that you will play it often for your baby.
Finally, we find G.F. Handel (1685-1759) wrote the seventh selection Harmonious Blacksmith in 1720. It is the popular name for the last movement of the Suite No. 5 for harpsichord.
In fact, it was one of the first works for harpsichord that Handel published. Interestingly, in this video, the performer is playing the harpsichord on which Handel himself played!
The sound of the harpsichord is produced when the key is pressed and a hook-like device actually plucks the string. But, the sound disappears fairly quickly.
The piano, on the other hand, sounds when the key is pressed and a padded hammer strikes the string. This allows for the sound to sustain for a much longer time.
Relax and listen to the unique sound of the harpsichord with your baby!
Bonus Activity #2 for You and Your Baby
Here is an activity that is very easy to do with your baby just about any time. While playing Minuet in G by Ludwig van Beethoven, do these simple dance steps:
Begin with your left foot and move forward in time with the music: left, right, left, right. Stop. Then bounce your knees twice in time with the music
Begin again on your left foot and move backward. Left, right, left, right. Stop. Then bounce your knees twice again in time with the music. Continue these steps throughout the Minuet.
You will have a 1, 2, 3 count going on with your movements and beat 1 will feel the strongest. Your baby will be absorbing the melody, the beat, the rhythm, and the movement of your body.
This all helps your baby’s brain and body grow, as well as, exposing them to beauty and your love. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Make Your Own Special Playlist for Your Baby
Take these pieces and put them together in a playlist for your baby. Then, you can enjoy listening to them together.
“Creating desire in the child is the parent’s duty.”
Shinichi Suzuki
You and your baby can begin your “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” now. To start, choose just one of these pieces of music. Then, listen to it several times a day for six months.
The next step is to do the same with another piece of music. You will be on your way to creating a life-time of learning and appreciation.
That may seem like a really long time. But, trust me on this one. Your baby will not become bored. They thrive on repetition because that is how they learn!
Adults become bored with repetition fairly quickly. Sadly, our adult lives often get in the way of enjoying the moment in the music.
So, savor the time and repetition. Allow yourself to learn along with your baby. This is the essence of Dr. Suzuki’s Mother-Tongue Method teaching philosophy.
Children learn to speak their native language by listening to their parents speak. Hence, Suzuki believed that music and playing an instrument could be learned the same way.
In fact, he believed that every child can learn using this method of repetition and encouragement. It is the way to learn any new skill and develop high ability.
I believe Dr. Suzuki chose these pieces to help babies to learn to listen carefully and enjoy them. He was a keen observer of babies and children. He understood how they learned.
Dr. Suzuki was also a keen observer of parents as well. He had in mind that you will learn as much from listening to these recording as your baby will.
Dr. Suzuki’s Legacy
This very special playlist for your baby is a part of Dr. Suzuki’s legacy. He knew that the gift of music can help you both grow into people with “beautiful hearts and fine ability”.
Another part of his legacy is SECE Baby Class. In fact, SECE began with this playlist and has spread worldwide. He asked Suzuki teachers to “not forget the babies”.
“Your Musical Baby” Class
“Your Musical Baby” Class is an opportunity for you and your baby to become lifelong learners and develop a deeper relationship with each other through music.
I’d like to invite you and your baby to observe a “Your Musical Baby” Class for FREE on any Saturday morning.
I know you’re a busy parent, so I’ve made it super easy for you to attend the class. Just use the link below to sign up and you receive an email with all the details and a Zoom link to the class.
Comment and Share
In the Comments, share which piece of music you have chosen to play for your baby. I am curious to know your choices!
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