Nurturing Young Musicians

Today's the last day!  Leave a semi-intelligent comment on this post for a chance to win a symphonic classic rock CD by the amazing Bella Rumore.  I'll be announcing the winner tomorrow!

Now, let's see what works for me.

I grew up in a home where music and musicianship was a priority.  There was never any question that I would learn to play an instrument with some level of proficiency, however modest.  I love music. I love listening to music.  I love making music.  I love everything about music.  I can't imagine a life void of music. 

My kids are budding musicians in their own right.  There is no doubt they will both learn to play musical instruments, hopefully more skillfully than I.  They love music.  They love listening to music.  They love making music.  They love everything about music.  The thought of a life void of music has never even crossed their precious, young minds.

Here's what worked for my grandma, for my mama, and it's also working for me.

• Expose kids to good music.  From conception.  If it's too late for that, then while they're infants. If it's too late for that, then right this very minute!

• Take them to concerts.  Look for free ones. There is no substitute for live music.

• Leave them with a babysitter and let them know you and dad are going to a concert.  They'll jump at the chance to go with you one day.
   

• Play good music in the car.  Good music. 
   

• And at bed time.  We did that whole Baby Mozart thing 'cause somebody gave it to me when I had my firstborn.  I don't know if it's all they claim it to be, but it is good music.  And, at age 15, she still loves it!    
   

• Expose them to a variety of music.  When was the last time you listened to the blues?  Some good jazz?  50's rock?  Baroque? Gregorian chants?  If they only hear one style when they're young, it's difficult to open them up to other styles when they're teenagers.
   

• Turn of the TV and break out your CD collection (or theirs).

• Don't just hear the music as you go about doing other things.  Stop and really listen to it with your kids.  You can even make a game of it.  What instrument is that?  What is the rhythm of the bass drum? - clap along with it.  How many different horns can you identify in the interlude?  How many voices singing harmony on the chorus? - can you single one out and hum along.  Really listen.

• Watch concerts (not music videos) on television, if you can't turn that thing off.  Music  videos are designed to entertain, but they rarely focus on musicianship.

• Pick up your instrument, forcryingoutloud!  Whether it's been  ten years two, start right now.  It doesn't matter what it sounds like, just let them see you playing on a regular basis....like every day.  Even it it's only 15 minutes/day.  Play!
   

• Don't play anything?  It is not too late to start.  Seriously.  I want to scream every time someone tells me, "I always wanted to learn to play the...."  Really?  So just how bad do you want it?   If it's really important to you, you'll find a way to do it.  (Instruments can be purchased cheaply, rented or borrowed. There is a ton of online instruction for adults.  Just.  Do.  It.)

• Introduce them to musicians. I'm not talking about bedroom musicians. C'mon.  You know somebody that plays something  with a group or in coffee shop somewhere.   Go see their performance together.  Ask them if they'll meet with you and your child privately just to talk with them and show them a few licks.  Most musicians are happy to encourage young musicians.

• Hang out at the music store rather than the toy store.  They can actually sample the instruments there.  (Young kids need supervision with this.)  Every time I notice my practice time slacking, I spend an afternoon at Guitar Center with the promise to myself that I won't buy ANYTHING that day - not even a new cable.  The hard part is trying to drag my kids out of there when it's time to go!
   

• Keep music books and recordings available and accessible.  If you don't want them touching your precious CD collection, make sure they have their own.  And play yours for them from time to time.  iPods and other personal listening devices are fun, but make sure you also make equal time to enjoy music together.
   

• Show them.  Visually.  Demonstrate to them that music is important to you and it will become important to them . too.  Here are 13 things to help you get started.   I'll be posting a lot more things like that to help you keep music alive in your life!

• Allow teens, within reason, to make their own choices about what they listen to.  Watch for harmful messages and explicit content, of course.  That means that you may (Oh, the pain!!) have to listen to some of their stuff.  What I noticed with my daughter, however, is that she went in and out of a phase at around 14 years old where she was exploring questionable content.  Now her music choices, while still aberrant to me, (Pop music sux!!!)  are at least wholesome.  My son is 11.  He's likes Guitar Hero music. Which means....you guessed it!  I have to play Guitar Hero every once in a while to keep tabs on the non-classic rock songs. (He whips my butt solidly on GH!)

It is not enough to keep the radio on, playing in the background.  Music videos just won't cut it.  An occasional concert won't either. 

Music it not just a skill; it's a way of life.

Tomorrow: 13 Ways to Encourage Kids to Practice Their Instruments
Friday:  A very special group of teens give us insights into what motivates them musically.

Comments

[Beamer]

Couldn't agree more with a lot of what you posted. Especially the part of supervising kids at a music store. When I bought my last Ibanez electric guitar, I took it home and first thing I had to do was wipe all the frigging grime off the frets and the neck. Then to my horror I discovered a huge crack in the neck up by the Keys. What amazed me was the salesman I took it back to, tried to say I broke the damn thing.

Haven't been back to that store since then.

Beamer

[Ladybug Crossing]

This is an excellent post!

To get my kids to practice when they were little, we used to tell them they had to practice each assignment 10 times each. It wasn't a time thing - the clock was out of the picture. 10 times each was tangible for them.

I still tell them that 10 times each would be better than watching the clock. Sometimes they go with 10 times each - other times they go with the clock...

I'll be back to read again!
Thanks for sharing!
LBC

[Kim @ Up North Mommy]

Great list! I love to go to the XM Pops station on my DirecTV satellite and let my kids soak it in. One day, my 5 year old son said "I like this kind of music." Success.

[DG Jan]

Carol, you are brilliant as usual!! Props!!

[jen]

Thanks for these tips! We have four budding musicians, and while we do many of these things this post was such a great reminder - to keep doing what we are doing and to start some new stuff!

[Chrissy]

I really liked this post and it was very encouraging1

[Audra Krell]

This is a great post! My sons and I are all musicians and we think the whole world needs a lot more music! Thank you for this comprehensive, encouraging list!