Raising children to be musical?

Question

I am not particularly musical (I can play a bit of piano and sing a bit) and my husband is not at all musical but I would love our children to be. How can we get them into music early on? Classes? Other people? Any suggestions? Thank you.

Answer 1

I agree with fightswi... You should absolutely give them the opportunities but they will eventually have to choose it for themselves or not. You can only make them do things for so long :-) However, I know many parents make their children take piano and even though the kids may hem and haw, they are so glad they have the skill when they get older!

Also, I would definitely expose them to things you consider culturally interesting or enriching. Whatever that may be to you and them (ask their opinion). Theatre, musicals, symphony performances, ballets, a small folk group performance, a guy on the street playing his ukulele... whatever! Don't forget about concerts in the park. You can't beat a free performance and picnic dinner!

As for instruments, our local music school has what they call a petting zoo every year where kids are invited to come meet instructors and try out any instrument (or several) that they want. The instructors answer questions and your kid gets to bang or blow away on whatever they like. Call around, maybe your local school will have something similar. You may also be able to attend their recitals to check out their works in progress and students who have been there a number of years, just ask.

There may also be a childrens chorale in your community where they can sing with a whole group of kids if they don't want or aren't ready for individual lessons. It would be a great way to have them sing both classical and musical theatre pieces (depending on the repertoire of the group) and also get some performance experience.

good luck!
Marianne

Answer 2

I would say that you should let them know that music is there. Go to concerts, listen to CDs, buy an insturment. Let them join you when you sing and play on the piano. But I would never force them. So many times if kids are forced into music, they're good, don't get me wrong, but they don't have the same passion for it as a child who chooses it for themselves. I think that if you take the time to expose them to it, they'll be more likely to try it on their own choosing. If you want them to do lessons, it might be fun to search out programs with other kids the same age. I volunteer at Melody Brown Fun Factory every summer (it's a fine arts camp for kids ages 5-10). They learn singing, dancing, painting/art, acting, and piano. It's a wonderful program. (so if you are close to Topeka, KS I would advise looking into it). But I'm sure that it's not the only program around. I would check with elementary schools because the art program I work at doesn't really advertise except at schools. And that way they have friends with music. I would say that if you want a child to enjoy music, teach them the beauty music has. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

ok so I think you both are right in a way!! Its Very Important for your children to be able to have the opportunity to be in activities and learn things school or us as parents cant teach them!! AND on the other hand its good to let them chose what they wanna do... Clearly Never force "what sport would you like to be in" Not " You Will play soccer" They can learn so much by even just having the choice!! I was raised in a house hold here after school activities where NOT allowed and we where NEVER allowed to do school work at home! It really is a bad Idea... really makes you fall behind!! Im sure you both can come to a compromise when the Time comes!! Parenting is all about compromise!! Its hard cause ppl will always have their own way but you will make it work!!

Answer 4

Neither of my parents are particularly musical either, but would up raising two relatively musically inclined children. My brother and I mostly found our interest in music through the public school system... classes offered, electives we needed, etc. Really, my parents signed us both up for a variety of activities from a young age, and let us figure out for ourselves what we liked best.

For example, when I was a very young child, I tried tee-ball, soccer, ballet and tap classes, piano lessons, and so on. By middle school I was focusing on singing, drama, and dance, rather than sports or instrumental music.

Ultimately, I'd say get your kids involved in music from an early age, but don't force it. Keep them involved in a variety of activities so they can figure out what they like for themselves... the should go into music because they love it, not simply because their parents want them to.

Answer 5

I agree with exposing them to as many different cultural experiences as possible. Even if they don't like it now..they will appreciate it later. I was dragged to countless ballets as a child and I thought 95% of them were so boring, but there were ones I did like and stuck out and as I got older I really began to appreciate that exposure and now seek them out on my own. I don't think I would feel that way now if I hadn't been dragged to them as a kid. If you have girls (well, or boys too!), The Nutcracker is a fun, wonderful introduction that many kids find magical!
Music wise, just play as much as you can at home. Always have CD's playing, all different styles to really expose them to a variety of genres. If your kids are young, particular songs or musicians/bands may stick in their heads as adults with fond memories of home.
As for learning to play an instrument - Definitely sign them up for classes! Piano is great if you're looking for a general instrument. If you want your kid to be in band in school, then you may choose (or let them choose) accordingly. However, this can backfire if your kid never gets good enough to actually make band...as happened with my sister and the oboe.
If your child is at a school with a music program, hopefully they will begin showing some interest in it and you can follow their lead for when a good time to begin lessons is. Otherwise, anywhere from 5-8 is fine. Here's the thing, if you want to give them the gift of playing music that will last into adulthood, you will have to make them practice every day and will also have to make them take lessons for at LEAST 5 years, preferably more. Even if they don't like it. Like learning languages, it's easier to learn when your a kid and it's easier to build up the necessary dexterity in your fingers than when your an adult and have tons of other things in your life to worry about.

Speaking from experience, I started showing an interest in the piano around age 4 and would try to plunk out songs next to my mother as she played and begged her to teach me some, which she did. I would also come home from pre-school and plunk out tunes of the songs we learned at school. So my mom got me into lessons. After a couple years, I began to dread them (I think a lot had to do with the teacher and the material though...finding a good teacher who can really engage your child is essential) but my mom made my stick it out a while longer and I'm soooo glad she did. While I have friends now who took lessons when they were children and now can't play a note to save their life, I've had enough years of lessons drilled in to still be able to play fairly well and pretty much whatever I want (well, to an extent), which has come in handy. So, I feel like there's a cut off point, kinda like learning to ride a bike. I don't know what it is, and I'm sure it's different for every person, but if you can get your child beyond that point, they can have music in their lives as long as they wish, even if they don't play every day (or even every month!)

Depending on how well your child takes to the instrument, check around your town for opportunities like childrens band or orchestra and if they sing, choirs or even your local opera (many companies have Children's choruses and anytime kids are surrounded by adults who are proficient at something and the kids can look up to them, it will only increase their desire to pursue it). Anything that can help your child equate music with pleasure (aside from forcing them to practice lol I don't know many kids aside from the mini virtuoso's who will willingly practice every day on their own accord so that part is definitely up to the parents).

Good luck!!

** Oh, also Peter in the Wolf is a wonderful introduction to the instruments in the orchestra and classical music for kids! I loved listening to this as a child! There's a great story narration by Patrick Stewart.