Learning with Asterik's Music Monsters

Asterik Studio's family of musical ogres, creatures and freaks, imagined for a recent Bumbershoot Festival print series, immediately conjured memories of my very favorite childhood learning devices, The Letter People. Used to impart the basics of sound and syllable to five and six year olds, the monogram-sporting Letter People and their goofy, inflatable effigies were each assigned a letter-oriented trait and related song to help kids learn the alphabet. By the end of my first year at Chestnut Hill Elementary it was clear that Miss A said “A’choo” and Mr. T had Tall Teeth.

I can’t help but wonder what would have happened had my pleasantly plump Kindergarten teacher used Asterik’s Music Monsters to lay a musical foundation as well:

MR. WRIGHT: “Alright class, repeat after me. Mr. Iggy Pop Pioneered Punk Rock.”

CLASS: “Mr. Iggy Pop Pioneered Punk Rock.”

MR. WRIGHT: “Does anyone know what Mr. Pop is famous for?”

JOHNNY: “His punk and hard rock innovation and crazy stage antics?”

MR. WRIGHT: “That’s right Johnny! But class remember, just like with matches…”

JOHNNY: “Don’t cut yourself with broken bottles in the name of rock n’ roll without parental supervision?”

MR. WRIGHT: “You’ve got it! Alright Michael, play that vinyl…”

PLAYS “SEARCH AND DESTROY”

MR. WRIGHT: “ Now repeat, Ms. Mavis Staples is a Singing Soul Sister.”

CLASS: “Ms. Mavis Staples is a Singing Soul Sister.”

MR. WRIGHT: “Now who is Mavis Staples? Jenny?”

JENNY: “Mavis Staples is a soul and gospel legend, once a member of pop group The Staples Sisters.

MR. WRIGHT: “And can you name one of The Staples Sisters’ number one hits for me?

JENNY: “I’ll Take You There!”

MR. WRIGHT: “You got it Jenny! Hit it Mike!”