Ladybird Tuesday: Musical Instruments

Happy new year vintage Ladybird lovers!

Now, before we get on to this week's book I have to tell you about my television highlight of Christmas – the BBC Four Timeshift programme all about vintage Ladybird books. It was quite simply fantastic – even if my mum and husband both fell asleep watching it! If you missed it then luckily there are some clips available on their website here. They're definitely worth a watch. The programme made me realise just how small my collection is compared to what is out there somewhere. It was also fantastic for learning a bit more about the history of these iconic little books. 

Anyway – enough of television. Time to move on to one of my Christmas presents from my darling husband: A Ladybird Book of Musical Instruments. I am now a very proud owner of this first edition of the book from series 662, History of the Arts. 

 

If you're looking for a book to introduce children to musical instruments then this really is perfect. It starts off my looking at how instruments work – both stringed instruments and wind ones.

 

 

Each group of instruments is then covered in turn with pictures of the instruments, a bit about their history and how they are played. I also really like the graphic where they show you a piano keyboard with middle C marked and then show the range that each particular instrument plays in. It's something that I really wish I'd had when learning to play instruments at school as I don't think I initially understood the different ranges of different instruments.

 

Little Miss C was bought a descant recorder for Christmas (thanks a lot Granny!) and at the moment she's just blowing it randomly, as is her brother, and she was amazed when I picked it up and managed to play some of When the Saints on it. Whilst at school and university I played instruments regularly and it's something I rather miss now. Quite where I'd have the time I have no idea, but maybe I should get my clarinet out again.

 

With the kids I might be tempted to start with percussion instruments – although at the moment LMC seems to think a tambourine is only for her teacher at pre-school telling the children that it's tidy up time!

 

Do you play an instrument? And if so, what?

If you have a collection of old Ladybird books then please feel free to join in with Ladybird Tuesday. There are no formal rules to follow, just leave a link to any post you write in the comments below and if you're feeling kind link back to my Ladybird Tuesday category here on Being Mrs C. Thanks!