While music is considered to be universal , the language to understand and interpret music is very different in each musical system. The musical language that we learn first often colors our ideas and interpretation of music itself.  The earlier a musical language is introduced to a child, the easier it will be for the child to feel comfortable with that system of music.

For children growing up in the United States, the nursery rhymes like “Wheels on the Bus” are often their first introduction to music. Nursery Rhymes form the first cognitive building blocks in the musical knowledge base in the mind of a child growing up in the United States.  New England vocalist Shuchita Rao has created a delightful CD that connects rhe notes Sa Re Ga Ma to nursery rhymes. The CD would enable parents to easily introduce the concept of “Sa Re Ga Ma” to very young children.

The CD features six familiar nursery rhymes including “A B C D”, “Here we Go Around The Mulberry Bush”, “Hokey Pokey”, “Wheels on the Bus”, “Make New Friends” and the ever popular “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.  There are three parts to each track. The track begins with rhyme in its original form. The rhyme is followed with the enunciation of  the notes (Sa Re Ga Ma) to which each rhyme is set and the track ends with a repeat rendition of the rhyme in its original form.

The sandwiching of the notes between the two versions of the rhyme is brilliant. It makes it easy for children to make the connections between the 'Sa Re Ga Ma' notes and music as they know it.  The early introduction of the Indian musical language could potentially make it easier for children who may want to pursue Indian classical music at a later time.

Shuchita Rao has a melodious voice and her rendition of the nursery rhymes are a treat for the ears.  Fusion of East and West in music has become popular and Rao is to be congratulated on taking fusion to the pre-school level.

For more information on the CD please check Shuchita Rao's web site at http://www.shuchitarao.com

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