The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi

A new picture book by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton tells the story of how written music was developed and showcases the beauty of music and perseverance. The book includes the illustrated lyrics to Do-Re-Mi and an author's note about Julie Andrews's connection to the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein song.

Format: Hardback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Centuries ago, a young Italian monk named Guido longed to find a way to write and teach music. Eventually, he created the musical scale, using the words Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do...one syllable for each note. Though the other monks thought it was a waste of time, Guido's music couldn't be silenced. His discovery remains the foundation for learning music today, and inspired the famous song Do-Re-Mi, which Julie Andrews sang in the beloved movie The Sound of Music.

This richly illustrated picture book from beloved icon Julie Andrews and her daughter, bestselling author Emma Walton Hamilton, introduces readers to the remarkable story of Guido d'Arezzo's development of musical notation. In addition to the lyrics of Do-Re-Mi illustrated in full color, the backmatter includes an author's note, extensive historical notes, and a glossary.

Guido d'Arezzo was a young Italian monk who lived in the 11th century. He was passionate about music and wanted to find a way to write and teach it. He spent years studying and experimenting with different methods until he finally created the musical scale, which is still used today.

The musical scale is made up of seven notes, each represented by a syllable. The first note is Do, the second is Re, the third is Mi, the fourth is Fa, the fifth is Sol, the sixth is La, and the seventh is Ti. Each note is a different pitch, and when played together, they create a melody.

Guido's discovery of the musical scale was a significant milestone in the history of music. It made it possible for musicians to write and play music in a standardized way, and it paved the way for the development of music theory and notation.

The musical scale was not immediately accepted by all musicians, however. Some monks thought it was a waste of time and that it was against the teachings of the church. Guido was determined to spread his discovery, and he traveled to different parts of Europe, teaching musicians and spreading his music.

One of the most famous songs that was inspired by Guido's discovery is "Do-Re-Mi." The song was written by the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and was featured in the movie The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews sang the song in the movie, and it became a worldwide hit.

Today, the musical scale is still used by musicians all over the world. It is the foundation for all music theory and notation, and it has inspired countless songs and compositions. Guido d'Arezzo's discovery remains a testament to the power of perseverance and the beauty of music.

In conclusion, this picture book is a wonderful introduction to the story of the development of musical notation. It is beautifully illustrated and includes an author's note, historical notes, and a glossary. It is a must-read for anyone who loves music and wants to learn more about its history.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 226 x 287 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316265904