Which Instrument Should My Child Should Play?

Believe it or not, many children express a desire for playing a specific instrument early in their lives. Some of that desire comes from exposure to musical instruments from listening at home, preschool music classes, and concerts that they have attended. If your child starts talking and showing excitement at learning a particular instrument, (i.e. harp, guitar, violin, piano) please believe that specific instrument is probably “the one” for them.

Of course, not all children know what instrument they would care to play so it’s always a good idea in those cases to start with the basics. Piano and singing are very good instruments to learn before branching out to other instruments later.

Happy Halloween 2016!

I am re-posting this offering about fun musical ideas to celebrate Halloween.  Enjoy!

Here are some ideas for having musical fun during the Halloween festivities!

* Use scarves or handkerchiefs to make "ghosts" that sway back and forth to music

* Write a happy ghost story for the children and incorporate songs or music that you like 

* Listen to sounds from the season: Owls, Doors squeaking, or anything else that is appropriate to the age group (you may find sounds on CD's available from your local library or you may download from other sources online such as ITunes and Amazon)

*Here is a great Halloween song that young children like to sing:

(Use the melody from "The Wheels On The Bus")

The witches and their cats sing

Hee, hee, hee!

Hee, hee, hee!

Hee, hee, hee!

The witches and their cats sing

Hee, hee, hee!

We love Halloween!

The ghosts and the goblins sing

Boo, boo, boo!

Boo, boo, boo!

Boo, boo, boo!

The ghosts and the goblins sing

Boo, boo, boo!

We love Halloween!

We knock on the door and say

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

We knock on the door and say

Trick or Treat!

We love Halloween!

Connecting Head and Heart Part IV

When will the change from simply "playing" a piece of music transfer to "performing" a piece of music?

Watch for these little signs:                                                                        

• What once sounded mechanical, now sounds graceful and energetic
• Your child/student is now so comfortable with the technique of the piece that the nuances of the piece change everytime they play it
• The musical piece becomes like an "old friend" to the child/student.  They are happy to pick up their    instrument and go through it

How To Inspire, Motivate, and Reward Your Child/Student:

• Remember that positive and specific verbal praise speaks volumes (i.e. "Your tone was beautiful today!"  "The scales in the Haydn piece were so clean and I think all your practice on those really paid off")
•  Music should be part of your environment and should be organically playing at reasonable times of the day.  We have so many wonderful digital devices now that it is easy to keep classical music streaming as well as folk, bluegrass, jazz, or any other genre you and your family enjoy
• Repetition is our friend and a key part of stepping from intellectual playing to emotional playing is playing the piece/movements over and over again.  Kids will take their cue from you regarding repetition.  Remember to make that repetition fun and creative! ("I'll bet you can play that scale ten times correctly"  "Let's hear what your piece sounds like when you play in the bathroom/closet/foyer")
•  We could talk about buying that new instrument for you now/getting concert tickets for that rock concert you wanted to go to/having that sleepover with all your friends/going to music camp

Connecting Head and Heart Part III

What is the age of the young musician that is able to connect head and heart?  If you are ever lucky enough to see young Suzuki students performing in a group, (by using the word young I mean age 5 to 10 years of age) you would be able to tell by facial expression and entire body language that these performers have internalized the basic fundamentals of the music and have moved on to expression of the music in which the composer intended.  Their parents and teachers have lovingly taught and encouraged them in the tiniest pedagogical steps so that they may go beyond playing the notes and on to living and creating the music.

Of course, there are many good methods of teaching music to young children.

Here are some basic pedagogical ideas to help build a foundation and stepping stones to playing with heart.
*  Notice mistakes while the young musician is playing but only mention and work on one mistake at a time
*  Maintain consistent practice sessions and focus on everyday instead of length of practice sessions
*  Keep the listening going!  Remember to have classical music playing as well as any other genre you like
*  Music is infectious in a wonderful way!  Parents should try to play instruments to set a good example

Connecting Head and Heart Part II

The first part of helping your child/student connect head and heart is to help them technically master their repertoire.  If your child is 10 years old, that may mean getting them through Suzuki Book 2 with all musical details in tact. (Of course, with the help of your teacher!)  Or, if your student is 14, mastering their repertoire may mean learning a simple Mozart concerto with all three movements memorized.

Scales must be fluid, phrasing smooth, repeats in the music must be solid.  Beginnings and endings must be confident.  Posture must be natural and supportive of the instrument ergonomically.

Connecting Head and Heart

How can we as teachers and parents help our students and children really connect to their art?  This is the preview to a series called Connecting Head and Heart.

The reason we want to give the gift of music at all is to let our children experience the aesthetic, aural, and wonder of this amazing art form.  Many music teachers would argue that the idea of children internalizing the music that they are creating is not possible until they mature into adulthood.  Those of us who are lucky enough to teach and mentor young musicians would respectfully argue that children may indeed emote while playing/performing on their instruments.

Learning A Second Instrument

              

At some point you or your child may be ready to learn to play a second instrument.  How exciting to be able to play more than one instrument!

What is your first step to learning this instrument?  You have some choices.  If learning the new instrument is for a child or young adult, the first step should be a detailed discussion about your child really wanting to learn the instrument or ask them if this is a passing phase? (of course, they may not know if this is a passing phase but at least get them thinking about that!) Your family dynamics and finances will dictate whether you will follow through in buying/renting the new instrument and whether there will be music lessons to guide you or your child.  There should be talk about boundaries, meaning the amount of practice time, and possibly giving up something else (like gymnastics, chess club, soccer) to be able to pay for the instrument and lessons and to devote enough time to the second instrument.  No need to overthink but it's also good to be practical.