I was in the middle of a drum lesson with a 5 year old, and he mentioned he can sing all the lyrics to “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. I went with it, and we had an impromptu jam. I played drums as the student sang the whole song word-for-word, he even reminded me, “this is where the drums stop!” I was blown away.
After the lesson his mom told me that he loves that song and listens to it constantly. From prior conversations, I knew my student's parents were avid music fans as they often told me about a recent concerts they would attend. This made me reflect on how that particular student was surpassing most of my other older students as far as being able to hear and follow music.
It is because he is constantly surrounded by music! This is the foundation for teaching your child musical skills without having musical skills yourself.
As you listen to music in the car, or anywhere really, you can ask them questions like “do you hear the drums? What sound do they make? Let’s clap to the beat! Remind me how this part goes. Do you remember where the music stops? This will challenge them to listen intently to the music and analyze it.
Even if you don’t have instruments you can teach your kids the elements of music: rhythm, melody, form etc. Singing, dancing, and actively listening and engaging with music is tremendously beneficial to them and will put them many steps ahead if you decide to enroll your child in lessons.
I would also recommend letting them watch high quality musical children’s programming (Raffi, The Wiggles, etc ) available on Youtube. The music they make is designed to grab children’s attention and be engaging. Many of my young students know how to use YouTube and we often play along to their favorite songs that they find.
Another great thing you can do is provide musical environments for your child. Get them musical toys and encourage musical behavior. Show them the basics of how to strike a drum or press a piano key and let their curiosity take over. Give positive feedback and praise them for their effort to promote continued interest in music making. Letting your child play with musical toys ON THEIR OWN TERMS will give them confidence be musical and to share their music when they get older.
If you never learned music, consider learning an instrument yourself! You just have to be good enough to get your child started. Learning to play a hand drum, or tease out some tunes on a piano or guitar is actually easier than you think. Or, if someone in your family, or a neighbor, plays an instrument, have them play for or with your child.
Participate in Music Yourself
One of the best things you can do as a parent (ESPECIALLY important for parents who did not take music lessons) is to participate with your child, or have them participate with you, in singing and dancing. Your music making does not have to be expert in any way. This is merely to encourage curiosity in music and musical expression.
NOT A SINGLE PERSON in my entire family played any musical instruments, but my parents and older cousins loved to listen to and sing along with their favorite songs. I am convinced that it was this regular exposure to music and musical participation that primed me for “understanding” music on a deeper level.
Even if you never took proper music lessons, I bet there are songs you love to listen to. Let yourself be an active participant in music and encourage your child to do the same! Be a model music fan for them. Doing so will make it more likely that your child will develop a deeper interest in music and be more motivated to learn an instrument.
Conclusion
Put them in musical environments as often as possible. Provide them with musical toys, and consider letting them watch video clips of children’s programming that features music and musical activities. Most importantly is to show an interest in music yourself, be a model music participant if you want your child to follow suit.
Has your child shown spontaneous musical ability or interest? How are you sparking their interest in music? Let me know in the comments!
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For additional comments or questions email me, ask.music.alonso@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @practice_percussion.
BONUS
Here are some inexpensive high quality percussion instruments designed for children.
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