What do you do for music?

[KoalaMama]

I would like to bring more music into our lives. We listen to a little on CD (though my kids often ask for video of they see me go near the CD/DVD player, so it doesn't always work for long), listen to radio in the car, and sing silly songs to each other a lot. But overall, it doesn't feel like we have enough music in our world.

I would also love the kids to have more opportunities to create music. My husband and I don't play/own any instruments, and we don't read music. So I guess on this front I'm not sure where to start? My kids are little - 4.5yrs and 2 yrs - so I guess I'm looking for something that I can learn that sets a foundation for them, or that they can learn along with me. A good beginner family instrument?

I'm wondering what other families in a similar situation do to foster a love of music, and ultimately some musical skills (assuming the kids are interested).

[lurable]

Interacting musically with your children is the best! You can make instruments out of everything.
Shakers- old film containers and rice
drum- decorate an old ice cream, yogurt or coffee container
guitar- elastic bands over a shoe box
bells- get some bells at the craft store and string them onto a pipe cleaner
rhythm sticks- buy a dowel at a hardware store, cut and sand

Use scarves to dance around to music
roll a ball to the beat of the music

Also- expose them to all different types of music--classical, music from different cultures and countries, as many different genres as you can.

As far as a good family instrument I would recommend singing to start but eventually piano. There are many companies who offer group lessons for the children and parents at the same time. It is a great way to learn together.

[KoalaMama]

Ah yes! We do lots of beating on the pots and pans and bowls and the like, and have a decent selection of shakers, sticks, etc. And the kids love the harmonicas and recorders (unfortunately ).

I think more listening, especially to a variety of music, is one thing I'm craving and feel like is missing. Maybe I should just start a specific time a day where we listen to music/dance and try rotating from our extensive collection. But it feels strange to me that I feel a need to 'schedule' this in! We used to listen to so much music pre-kids, and I'm not sure how that changed. Probably my new found appreciate for quiet when I can get it.

Regarding the piano... I'm assuming it's pretty crucial to actually own one if you're going to take lessons? I would love to learn personally, but I was under the impression that it would be somewhat useless if we didn't have something at home to practice on.

Thanks for your response, and all the great ideas!

[joandsarah77]

Regarding the piano... I'm assuming it's pretty crucial to actually own one if you're going to take lessons? I would love to learn personally, but I was under the impression that it would be somewhat useless if we didn't have something at home to practice on.

I was talking to my friend about just this the other day and she said you can buy a piano keyboard with weighted keys and that that is ok to practice on at home if you don't have a piano.

[ChinaDoll]

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MusicK1.htm

http://www.baltimorecp.org/lessons/draft_lessons.html

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems.html


I mix and match some of these ideas with other fun kids' cds and a few simple rhythm instruments - start fun, and find your way to musical knowledge along the way!

[LilyGrace]

We've spent the summer learning how music 'speaks'. There's a great book from the Met. Museum of Art called Can You Hear It? that comes with a cd of short pieces and pictures of paintings to go along with it. It's like a static Fantasia. The kids are asked if they can hear the bubbles in the fish painting, or what else they can hear - what does it sound like to them.

We'll be getting into the language of music this fall, but this was a perfect introduction for us.

[Terabith]

Well, if you want the classical music route, there is Beethoven's Wig, which puts catchy lyrics to classical music. But really, at their ages I would look for an early childhood music class. Music Together would be great, or Musikgarten, or even Kindermusik. (I do really enjoy the Kindermusik preschool classes. Very imaginative, although I think the quality of music instruction per se is better in Music Together or Musikgarten.) Jensen also has good piano group classes for younger children that are very good. Build general musical skills, not just skills on the piano.

I wouldn't look into piano lessons quite yet, especially since you guys don't play or have a piano. If you really wanted to, you could look into Suzuki. Violins are a bit smaller than pianos.

But I'd go for a group class. Singing, dancing, playing instruments. All good times.

ETA: You could also do the Calvert School's Discoveries in Music. It has a good reputation.

[lurable]

You don't need a piano!!! all I require my students to have for the first few years of lessons is a keyboard. I just got one at a yard sale for 50 bucks. I agree with building all music skills- not just piano- which is why you want to look for an inclusive program. Suzuki is great for violin and there are wonderful keyboard based music programs--I can pm you with some sites if you want. I agree about the pp's ideas regarding which programs are the best for younger kids- music together and music pups are definitely the best. This is what I would go for if I was looking for a class to do with both kids together. If you are looking for something a bit more challenging for your older child or maybe want to learn an instrument together, an instrument based music program is a great option.

[KoalaMama]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! We're moving to a new house in early October, and we'll have access to the party room as part of the amenities. I'm hoping to arrange an onsite class for kids and maybe draw out and meet some neighbours in the complex. Maybe I'll have to look into a music program for that!

Laura, I would love some suggestions for sites, thanks! Off topic, my husband is from Halifax. His sister and her husband own Julien's bakery in the Hydrostone. We were considering moving there this year but bought another place in Ontario instead. We'll likely revisit the idea in about five years. :

[lurable]

Originally Posted by KoalaMama

Laura, I would love some suggestions for sites, thanks! Off topic, my husband is from Halifax. His sister and her husband own Julien's bakery in the Hydrostone. We were considering moving there this year but bought another place in Ontario instead. We'll likely revisit the idea in about five years. :

PM'd
I love Julien's!!! We get our sourdough bread from their stand at the farmer's market every Saturday! Oh- and you should definitely move to Hali:

[KoalaMama]

Oh! That crazy woman behind the counter at the market on Saturday is my amazing mother-in-law, Barb! Next time you're there tell her we connected. She loves hearing about connections! :

Thanks much for the PM!

[lurable]

Awesome I will do that next Saturday

[funkygranolamama]

hand drums!

Great for brain development and the soul. I swear every time I hear hand drums I want to strip naked and dance in a circle around a fire. I think I was tribal in my last life...

[lakesuperiormom]

koalamama...you'll be getting some music sheets for playing recorder in the mail soon....teach your child the recorder...pm me if you need help on that!

[lizabird]

We have an instrument basket with an assortment of fun noisemakers (shakers, rainstick, drum, harmonica, whistles...)

We listen to a lot of different kinds of music while playing and ds loves to dance along.

We try to go to live performances when we are able (music on the lawn, free concerts, etc)