A child's first song on the pad

A first session should end. Pick a short public-domain page, play it once slowly, and stop. The pad is the instrument. The child does not need a lecture.

These pages do not print lyrics. Hum the tune you both know, or let the chords be the whole game.

Two chords is a complete song for a first day. Three chords is a second day. Four can wait.

Two chords, then three

Row, Row, Row Your Boat, London Bridge Is Falling Down, Mary Had a Little Lamb and Are You Sleeping are C and G7. One change, over and over. That is the whole chart.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider is also C and G7, counted in two. The pulse is different. The grips are the same. Do not add speed to make it exciting.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is C, F and G7. So is the alphabet song if you open that page later. Twinkle is enough for the day you add F.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm is G, C and D7. Happy Birthday to You is C, G7 and F, counted in three. Birthday is a party song. Learn it before the party, not during it.

How a short sitting goes

Sit where you can both see the pad. Tap the chord and let it ring. Ask for a hum, not a performance.

The Metronome with chords can be the game. One click, one chord. If the click annoys the room, turn it off and count two beats out loud.

Open Three-chord Song only if the child wants a loop with no tune. A pattern page is not a song. Say that plainly.

Stop while it is still fun. A second song is a reward for another day, not a test of endurance.

Keys that stay small

C major holds the C and G7 songs. G major holds Old MacDonald. Stay in one key for the week.

If a grown-up voice wants a different key, move the chip after the child has gone. Do not transpose in the middle of a first song.

Amazing Grace is a three-chord hymn if you want a quieter tune later. It is counted in three. It is not required for day one.

Save the song in this browser if you want it tomorrow. Export a backup when the library starts to matter. The browser can forget a site.

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