In fact, I received a massive scholarship to NYU to be a music teacher.  But I had never made it a professional focus.   I figured this homeschooling project shouldn’t be that hard.

But the lessons were hard.  

The traditional methods and books I had found were not suitable for young beginners.  They were backwards!  It was like trying to teach grammar before you learned to say “Hello!”

And, to make it more difficult, I suddenly had a bunch of Alejandro’s friends instantly sign up for my lessons.   

I kept trying different method books including some well known ones like the Suzuki method.  But teaching kids who’s parents couldn’t read music using these old methods was proving impossible.

One day, I happened to observe my son’s teacher using translucent colored tape to teach reading.  

I had an epiphany! 

I could use color as a direct label!  I didn’t need to rely on abstract numbers, letters or symbols.  Every child knows color!

I went home and sat at my desk.  For ten years, I was at the forefront of web design and information architecture.  I co-founded a digital agency and led design teams for Fortune 500 clients at major ad agencies.  As I leaned back and looked at some of my old design books.  I began to realize, this problem was a design problem.  

Another light bulb went off in my head!

Music notation is a visual design challenge!  This is something I can solve!  

Applying design thinking, I realized my audience of young children was not being served by traditional method books.   In fact, that’s why those teachers told me to come back later.  The books they were using were designed for 7 or 8 year olds!

I started designing simplified notation using color.  Music notation that anyone, even preliterate children could read!

Each lesson became a research and development opportunity.  

Is this understandable?  Is it easier this way or that?  Is this song too long?

Within a few months, I had a capacity of 35 students and a waiting list.  I felt terrible having to turn away so many students.  

By the end of the 2nd year, we had our first recital with ten students performing.  Alejandro volunteered to go first!  I was astounded and a very proud Papa.

I started to organize my teaching materials into a codified curriculum and called it Musicolor Method.

There were amazing leaps of growth at our now twice a year recitals.