Musical Art

One day, Kimball was banned from playing on the iPad (word to the wise: never sit on your baby brother's chest). But that was ok, because I'd been using it too much as a crutch anyway, what with meeting the needs of a demanding newborn.

So instead, we got out the paper and markers. I picked out a few great pieces of classical music and told Kimball to listen and draw whatever entered his imagination. He surprised me by not only going along with the activity, but asking for more songs!

First we had Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring". (Open the links in a new tab if you want the full effect as you look at his pictures.) I associate this very much with the dinosaur scene in Disney's Fantasia (1940). Apparently Kimball envisioned a Peter Pan vs. Captain Hook scenario:

Captain Hook is in the middle of the ship, thinking about fighting Peter Pan, and also feeling surprised (the vertical lines over his head). I love his mustache. You can see Peter flying in stage right. The crocodile is tick-tocking in the ocean, and there is a sea monster by a cave under the boat. Several of the pirates are holding swords in their teeth.


Next we had Aaron Copland's "Hoedown." Kimball continued to destroy my preconceived notions about what the music should be about. (I never told him the names of the songs.) Obviously, I envision a western scene here. Possibly you might associate this song with some barbecue sauce commercial (I swear it was in some commercial about food in the last decade).

Nope, Kimball comes up with this. "A good guy drilling a hole into a mean guy." Okay.































Next was Ennio Morricone's "Man With a Harmonica" from Once Upon a Time in the West. I wish I could remember exactly what Kimball said this was about. I'll have to double check with him, but I think he just said it was a monster in a pyramid. Again, not what I would have imagined, but it kind of looks like Henry Fonda if you squint real hard.

More western-type music with "On the Trail" from The Grand Canyon Suite by Grofe. I always pictured a thirsty donkey hobbling down a dusty trail. Or maybe you think of Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun from A Christmas Story. I think Kimball found it hard to break out of his usual adventure/spooky genre of art.  He went with "a skeleton guy".

I personally don't get it, but who am I to judge fine art?

At this point Kimball kept asking for more music, so I gave him "An American in Paris" by George Gershwin. He gave me this: "guys who were sad, but then they found friends so then they were happy."

After dinner, Kimball wanted to do one more, so I put on some more Aaron Copland music. I can't remember what. Kimball drew another pirate scene. Find the skull and crossbones.

This was such a fun activity, and a great way to incorporate multiple sensory experiences. It made me think about listening to "The Grand Canyon Suite" and "Rhapsody in Blue" on long car trips with my family. My mom always kind of narrated the music with what might be going on, and I think that became a habit for me. I'm grateful for those long musical car rides and for being exposed to such great music as a kid.