Dolly Parton: September Musician of the Month

Dolly Parton is our September Musician of the Month. Dolly passed away in August at the age of 80, and this month we’re introducing our students and families to her songs, her love of storytelling, and her work bringing books to young children.

A Childhood Filled with Music

Dolly grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children. Her family had little money, but music was part of everyday life. Her mother sang to her, and the songs she heard growing up helped shape her own writing.

Dolly began making up songs before she could write them down. For parents who hear their children inventing tunes at the piano or singing made-up songs around the house, that might sound familiar!

Those little experiments are worth encouraging. Alongside practicing their lesson music, children can explore their instruments and try out their own ideas. They don’t have to wait until they can read music or play a whole piece to create something.

Stories You Can Hear in the Music

One of Dolly’s best-known songs, Coat of Many Colors, tells the story of a coat her mother made for her from pieces of fabric, telling her the story of Joseph’s coat so she would be proud to wear it. The other children laughed at it anyway, and Dolly has said it took her years, and writing the song, to put that behind her. She has called it the most personal thing she ever wrote.

It’s a good starting point for listening as a family. The story is easy to follow, and it gives children something to think about: why do we treasure certain things, and how can we be kinder to one another?

Two other songs to explore are Jolene and I Will Always Love You. In Jolene, listen for the repeating guitar pattern. Can your child tap along with the steady beat? In Dolly’s recording of I Will Always Love You, notice how her voice changes from one phrase to the next. Where does she sing gently, and where does the sound grow?

For students, these are useful things to notice in their own playing, too. Learning the notes is one part of a piece. Deciding how to shape them is another.

Sharing a Love of Books

In 1995, Dolly started the Imagination Library, inspired by her father, who never learned to read or write. She wanted more children to grow up with books of their own.

The program sends a free book each month to enrolled children under five in participating communities. With funding shared by Dolly and local community partners, it grew from a program in her home county to one serving children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. It has now given away more than 332 million books.

For a young child, getting a book in the mail with their name on it can be a big event. And reading it together gives families a chance to slow down, ask questions, and enjoy a story.

Try Some Songwriting at Home

Dolly often found ideas in her own experiences. Students can try that, too.

After listening to Coat of Many Colors, ask your child to think of a favorite memory, a person they love, or an object that’s special to them. Then try these steps together:

1. Say two short lines about it.
2. Clap a steady beat while saying the words.
3. Try singing the words to a made-up tune.
4. If you’d like, add a few notes on an instrument.

The song doesn’t have to rhyme, and it doesn’t need to be finished in one sitting. If your child likes what they’ve made, record it so they can hear it again or share it with their teacher.

Dolly started making songs long before she had an audience. For a young musician, a few words and a tune are a perfectly good place to begin.

Book a free trial lesson at The California Conservatory of Music today!