A Musical Note
Jul. 6, 2005 at 10:03 AM
family
All my children love music and play multiple instruments. Our home is never quiet because someone is always playing something. This is nothing short of amazing to me. Rest assured their talent is not inherited. My husband and I don't have an ounce of musical ability. I play the radio because that's the only way I can carry a tune. When I start to sing my children all leave the room. I used to be insulted but now I actually use it to my advantage. When I want a room to myself I just start to belt out a song. Before long the room is mine. But somehow music is a part of our lives. People have oftened asked me how I did it. Well, I'd like to think I was the conductor of a magnificent plan that cresendoed into a symphony of sounds but I'm not. But there are a few things that we did early on that now looking back have been instrumental in their musical development.
1. We took advantage of free concerts. From the time my children were little I took them to concerts. We lived near the University of Michigan school of music and I would go to recitals. In the fall, we would go listen to the Marching Band rehearse on the practice field. They would sit on the side and march as they practiced. That was nice because they didn't have to sit stll and be quiet. The indoor concerts required me to teach them how to sit quiet but once that was done I could pretty much take them anywhere. Many churches also have musicals and I always tried to check the papers and attend those. A personal favorite was a "human Christmas Tree" where the choir was placed on risers and shaped into a tree. All the music was acapella. It was beautiful and entertaining.
2. We kept them in church with us during the worship and sermon both. The praise and worship were always a favorite. I think this is where my son Jason developed his love of the drums. Now that he is older he is frequently in the basement worshipping on his set with a praise CD. We also played church worship team alot at home. They would gather whatever "instruments" (read pots and pans and recorders) and a few play guitars and we'd all sing to the Lord. (That was back when they didn't care how I sang!)
3. We didn't buy them their instruments. When my children expressed an interest in an instrument we encouraged them to save their money. When they had enough they purchased the instrument. We did help with the rentals to make sure they wanted to play that instrument. But the purchase was their responsibility. They have been able to purchase two violins, two trumpets, a flute, and a drum set. The clarinet, oboe were mine (from my feable attempt at music in my youth). Friends gave us a flute and a trombone. The piano we have was also given to us. The way they earned their money is a post for another day. We do not pay an allowance they earned all the money themselves. They are not super kids by any means. But children who want to do something will find a way to pay for it when given the opportunity. A side benefit is that since they made the purchase they take much better care of the instruments and also practice more faithfully. A special memory for me was when my son, Joshua (12) gave his first violin away when he purchased his full size. He could have traded it in to help defray the cost of his full size but he insisted he didn't want to. On his younger sister's 10th birthday he put it into a big black bag and gave it to her as a gift. He is now helping her learn how to play.
4. We play alot of music during the day. When they were little I picked onE classical CD and played it alot for that week. We would then choose another composer the next week. Most of the CD's were not purchased we checked them out of our library. We were especially fond of the composer/story CD's. Like Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery, Bethoven Lives Upstairs, and When Bach Comes to Call.
5. We were creative with lessons. We have bartered meals for piano lessons. My daughter, Krisitn, learned how to cook by making a meal for piano teacher once a week. This saved him the hassle of cooking and Krisitn felt like she was contributing to the lessons. As she progressed she became responsible for teaching some of the younger children. This reinforced her learning and created a special musical bond between them. Since the instruments have been purchased the children also contribute to the weekly lesson payments. Kristin also has a few piano students who pay her and she uses the money to pay for her flute lessons.
6. They are all involved in homeschool band and two are in orchestra. The ability to play in a group situation has been helpful in their development. We helped organize the band so that our children would have another outlet for their music.
These are some of the things that come to mind when it comes to raising muscial children. When my children first started playing their was alot of "joyful noise". But now that they are getting older and more proficient the melodies are a beautiful blessing to our household.
1. We took advantage of free concerts. From the time my children were little I took them to concerts. We lived near the University of Michigan school of music and I would go to recitals. In the fall, we would go listen to the Marching Band rehearse on the practice field. They would sit on the side and march as they practiced. That was nice because they didn't have to sit stll and be quiet. The indoor concerts required me to teach them how to sit quiet but once that was done I could pretty much take them anywhere. Many churches also have musicals and I always tried to check the papers and attend those. A personal favorite was a "human Christmas Tree" where the choir was placed on risers and shaped into a tree. All the music was acapella. It was beautiful and entertaining.
2. We kept them in church with us during the worship and sermon both. The praise and worship were always a favorite. I think this is where my son Jason developed his love of the drums. Now that he is older he is frequently in the basement worshipping on his set with a praise CD. We also played church worship team alot at home. They would gather whatever "instruments" (read pots and pans and recorders) and a few play guitars and we'd all sing to the Lord. (That was back when they didn't care how I sang!)
3. We didn't buy them their instruments. When my children expressed an interest in an instrument we encouraged them to save their money. When they had enough they purchased the instrument. We did help with the rentals to make sure they wanted to play that instrument. But the purchase was their responsibility. They have been able to purchase two violins, two trumpets, a flute, and a drum set. The clarinet, oboe were mine (from my feable attempt at music in my youth). Friends gave us a flute and a trombone. The piano we have was also given to us. The way they earned their money is a post for another day. We do not pay an allowance they earned all the money themselves. They are not super kids by any means. But children who want to do something will find a way to pay for it when given the opportunity. A side benefit is that since they made the purchase they take much better care of the instruments and also practice more faithfully. A special memory for me was when my son, Joshua (12) gave his first violin away when he purchased his full size. He could have traded it in to help defray the cost of his full size but he insisted he didn't want to. On his younger sister's 10th birthday he put it into a big black bag and gave it to her as a gift. He is now helping her learn how to play.
4. We play alot of music during the day. When they were little I picked onE classical CD and played it alot for that week. We would then choose another composer the next week. Most of the CD's were not purchased we checked them out of our library. We were especially fond of the composer/story CD's. Like Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery, Bethoven Lives Upstairs, and When Bach Comes to Call.
5. We were creative with lessons. We have bartered meals for piano lessons. My daughter, Krisitn, learned how to cook by making a meal for piano teacher once a week. This saved him the hassle of cooking and Krisitn felt like she was contributing to the lessons. As she progressed she became responsible for teaching some of the younger children. This reinforced her learning and created a special musical bond between them. Since the instruments have been purchased the children also contribute to the weekly lesson payments. Kristin also has a few piano students who pay her and she uses the money to pay for her flute lessons.
6. They are all involved in homeschool band and two are in orchestra. The ability to play in a group situation has been helpful in their development. We helped organize the band so that our children would have another outlet for their music.
These are some of the things that come to mind when it comes to raising muscial children. When my children first started playing their was alot of "joyful noise". But now that they are getting older and more proficient the melodies are a beautiful blessing to our household.
5 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by Anonymous on Jul. 6, 2005 at 10:31 AM
Great post!! We are a musical family too. My children are younger so we have a lot of the "joyful noises" around here too. As a family we also break out into 'drumming' at the dinner table. Someone, usually dad, will start a beat and then everyone else starts in. My husband and I also play instruments and sing.. so it just happens here. =)
Dianna
posted by LoneStarMama on Jul. 6, 2005 at 3:58 PM
I have really enjoyed your last couple of blog entries, especially this one and the youth group entry. My brother and I both enjoyed playing instruments when we were younger and I wish I had stuck with it.
Also, I was wondering if you might blog about children worshipping in church? Our dc are very young ( under 5) and we really want to keep them with us in the service. How do we involve them? We don't have a childrens sermon or anything like that. My oldest gets very restless and I'm just not sure how to go about getting her involved in the sermon etc. I have read Parenting in The Pew, but didn't find many practical suggestions.
posted by stevebraun on Jul. 6, 2005 at 4:13 PM
Lonestarmama, thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.s I'll write a blog post about it soon. I have a list of things to blog about. But as with all things it is finding the time to write. Stay tuned.
Spunky
posted by ByHisGraceInColorado on Jul. 7, 2005 at 1:51 AM
We haven't had much musical training yet, but my kids all show some talent/gifting in that area. Thanks for the great ideas, it just may spur us on to do something about it!!!
Nancy
posted by parkwaymom on Jul. 9, 2005 at 11:45 PM
Loved your plan! It truely develops the desire in the heart of the child to want to learn the instrument/lessons they worked so hard to purchase.
My dh and I were just wondering out loud what our next step should be towards developing our children's musical gifts. A truely gifted musician, friend of ours, suggested voice lessons, as your vocal chords are with you always! Dh is the youngest of 6 children, who all harmonize so beautifully together. There is something lovely about all of their tones being close to the same range.