Advice Needed on Music

You are doing great at fostering his musical interest! If you haven't already get him some toy instruments let him make his own music, he will love that. Don't get too pushy about developing his talent, you don't want to get him resisting or not liking it b4 he even is really old enough to truly get started with real lessons. Good luck!

Hi,
Yeah, he's definately not ready for formal instruction on an individual instrument or anything like that yet, but lots of opportunity to participate in music for fun right now will boost his confidence if that's something he's already good at. The Mesa Public Library does something called "Baby" lapsit" every wed. at 10:30 in June and July, where they do little stories and songs together. Also, the Red Mt. Multigenerational Center offers a class for $14 also on Wed. at 10:30 (????) that's basically the same thing...a little music, musical instruments, etc.

I wouldn't worry about the patience thing. If you get him started playing little percussion instruments like shakers or little tambourines along with music early. That will help him cultivate his talent. Even if he only does it for a minute, just let him go with what he feels. You can start music lessons when he's around 3. I have always had my 3 year old daughter play along with me from the time she could hold a shaker. She sings and knows when she isn't on key and she can play a shaker for several measures when I'm playing my drums. Music will develop the discipline of patience as time goes on. For now, make it as fun as possible.

They have concerts at the Zoo on Friday nights and I think on Sat too not sure. They do cost to get in but I'm not sure how much. You can take him to some of those. I know they have music classes at UNM. I'm not sure how much they are, I was a nanny before I had my son and they family I worked for took their boys there. I went to some with the youngest, I think he was 18 months at the time, and he loved it. Good luck

I am glad that you are so aware of your son's interests and talents! I took a college course on children's music, and I learned that a child's musical aptitude (or their ability to make music when they are older) is set by age 8. That means that the more musical exposure they get when young, the more musical ability they could have when older. I am a big proponent of exposing children to all kinds of music, and I love what you are doing! Good luck and have fun!!!

Hi W.,
There are a few classes you can try. One we enrolled our son in is Kindermusik. It is a fun interactive music class.
Good luck,
D.
http://www.kindermusik.com/Locator/registerFreePreview.asp

I think you are doing precisely what is needed. Encourage him, but don't push. When he is four or so, introduce him to a piano to see if he is interested, but it is okay to wait until later if he isn't.

Hi W.,

Try Gymboree! They cater to your child's age so they know that an 18 month old is developmentally different than a 2 year old. =)

http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/b2c/customer/category.jsp?...

You're doing all the right things. Don't feel pressured to do anything outside the ordinary. Give him lots of opportunities to hear music, maybe get him some basic instruments like shakers, a small drum (beware your sanity on this one) to practice "rhythm", or a whistle (again, assign a time and place to this one). You might look for a Kindermusik class for him, but again, that's just extra and nothing you really couldn't do at home. Little boys generally aren't ready for lessons until they are closer to 6 - maybe older depending on their maturity. But when he starts asking for it, you can re-evaluate that. Have fun with it!!!

My son and I go to a class called Music Together and he loves it. We've been going since he was about 9 mos. old and he's 3 yrs. now. You get a book and CD's for your car and your home so you can continue using the class materials on your own. At class you'll be exposed to several different types of music and get to play with all kinds of different instruments. I don't know where you live, but we're in Sierra Vista. The next class won't start again until after school starts back up. If you would like more info email me at ____@____.com If you live somewhere else you can go to http://www.musictogether.com/ and use the class locater to find one near you. There's also a class called KinderMusic but I don't really know much about that.

Little about me: I'm a SAHM of 2 boys- 3yrs and 6 weeks. I love being at home with my kids and always enjoy finding new activities to do with them. I've been married to my wonderful husband for almost 6 years!

I'm a little late.. sorry! As a music teacher, I'd say always keep musical instruments around and see what he picks up... we always had a piano in the house to pick at... and now years later, 5 of us girls, my 3 sons, and my 32 nieces and nephews all play some sort of musical instruments. We just had a family reunion and all of them played their instruments together- what fun!
It takes alot of dedication and hard work, but it is a skill he will always be able to use.
Let him pick, and when he gets a little older (when you think he's ready), consider some lessons.
Have fun!
toni

You are doing it! Keep doing what you are doing...exposing him to all forms of music, delighting in his enjoyment of it. An instruction setting at his age could actually cause the reverse, so I wouldnt even consider that now. Choose some children's books for him that are about composers and the history of music and musical instruments. Get him a simple native hand drum to tap, xylophone, and a music box he can wind. Use them as musical instruments, not as toys, and have good quality ones. Give them to him when you can interact and participate with him. Choose instruments that make real notes. When you play a musical CD for him, mention who the name of the composer. Mozart and Bach are excellent choices, as they offer formal structure and recurring musical themes and patterns which helps the young child in forming order, so necessary to the child. Set aside a special time during the day to listen with him, when you can both focus on the music and not on something else. Good Montessori classrooms will have integrated programs of music (as well as other forms of art) within their classrooms, the ideal way to "teach" children. You might want to look into one of them for him...usually as soon as he is porty trained. This information is shared from Momtessori...read books about it.

Hi W.,
Can I have his picture and autograph NOW?
He is right where he is naturally.
When the student is ready the teacher will appear.

Hugs C.

Just keep doing what you are doing for now...it sounds so fun. And practice simple instructions with him like sitting still for longer periods..just basics (He sounds adorable by the way) Maybe when he is 3 or 4 you can then enroll him in some music classes and see what he takes the best liking too. Only rent instruments at first. Don't buy anything due to the attention span of chilren. I also know that they have some semi sturdy instaments at walmart...if you want to buy something that won't break yourbudget. It is in the toy isle, but they are actually towards the end of it. it goes from toys to musical toys and then some guitars and bongos and tamberines and stuff. My daughter is 18 months old and I am thinking about getting her some of those for Christmas for the same reasoning. They didn't look as breakable as the kiddy stuff. Plus they look so fun. They are like rhythm kits basically. I bet you can get them at your local music store too and they could also give you some great advice.
I was a percussionist and a pianist. When I was in the 5th grade (not knowing how much things cost) I asked my parents for a drumset for Chistmas. They got me the kiddy drumset. I was so bummed. I knew how to play and I also knew that I would put a whole in it I had played with any force at all. I didn't want to ruin it. But I didn't want to hurt my parents feelings and not play. I wasn't naive about money and I wasn't an un grateful cnild--really I wasn't. If they had said they were a thousand bux atleast I would have understood for sure the drum set they got was a waist of $$$.
Later when my parents had more of us kids out of the house and had more $$ they have spent lots of money on instruments for my youngest sister and they sit and collect dust.
So just be careful what you buy...you probably didn't need my whole life story, but since you aren't a musician, I thought that would be good to know..lol

Good for you in wanting to know how to get your child involved with music. He is going to appreciate that for sure!

I think what you are doing is perfect. Keep exposing him to music, take hime to free concerts etc. They also have little instruments for kids (toys) that are things he could make some noise with. We basically did the same thing with our kids --exposed them to it, got them involved in the church choir (18 months and up--depending on the church) and they are all very musical now. (My husband and I are NOT). So, it is definitely something you can develop in him. When he gets older he could start taking lessons of some sort. Our kids did piano and/or violin starting at 5. (Not b/c I pushed them--they wanted to--I didn't like the violin at the time and tried talking them out of it! Ha!) Good luck and enjoy!
K.

I have three sons who are all very talented musicians - their love of music began so early on it has always been a part of them - they all began learning to consciously play music in middle school - prior to that it was just playing around with electronic keyboards and toy guitars and dad's drums - their dad has always been a musician as well so has had an extreme influence on their opportunities to actually play - they have been exposed to lots of types of music but all prefer rock and jazz and classical over any kind of pop/country or opera/stage-movie musical which shows their diversity and true talent - we were fortunate enough to have them in schools that provided decent musical instruction including reading music and practicing with a group - unless you see prodigy-type signs with a specific (or many) instruments I wouldn't recommend music lessons until he understands about practicing and being committed to something - and respecting the instruments as valuable things - because they are expensive - we have bought at least a dozen different guitars between the three boys over the last ten years - and not because they break them - they just want something a little different in sound and/or feel so don't commit your kid to something until he wants to be so - it's the same with sports - let them do what they like and they will learn to love it - force them to do what you think they should like and they will eventually rebel. Good luck.

Hi Gymboree HAs little music classes - not Structured but to encourage the musical side of your child - and you can get him Play pianos, guitars, etc and they offer Mommie & Me musical classes Playtimes in Chandler, Gilbert, etc - see what he goes toward and let him go from there - Children Love music b/c it can be an Unstructured Outlet for Fun and Noise - But its Music To Them!!

Our children have had swim lessons and gymnastics at SwimKids http://swimkidsaz.com/ They also have dance lessons. I think that the instructors are phenominal. They are a good balance of strict and friendly. As a parent I have been so amazed at how helpful and courteous they are to me. My boy who is now 3 sounds just like your little one as far as the full of energy, all boy, go, go, go... He had swimming for about 6 months and they did so great with him. I would expect that the dance program is just as awesome. The only downside could be the price, but from my experience it has been so worth every penny.

W., Both of my girls were/are the same way!! My daughter's pre-school is a co-op that became a "Music Together" school---they actually have music class once a week! (point is) I LOVE The program---the music is great, diverse, rhythmic, dancable and just plain fun!!
I know you mentioned that you're not sure if an instructional setting would be good, but I've seen this work all different kinds of kids.
Because the school requires parents to be in class 2X a month, I always tried to pick music day.
The girls loved it, the boys got to burn energy and learn rhythms--I'll include the website and maybe you could check out a "trial class"---if anything I could always burn you a disc and mail it to you.
Just a thought.
S.

http://www.mtscottsdale.com/
(I reviewed the website, but maybe just give them a call and see if it feels right to you)

Your doing it already! Just being supportive and allowing your son to be involved in music is going to develop his talent.

You might want to look into Music Together. It is a great hands on program. They are all over the valley. We use to go to one in the NW valley, with teacher Kevin. He is great at doing things that lets the kids be wild and then getting them ALL to wanting to do sitting down things. We only stopped going becasue we moved to Japan. When we return this August, I will sign both kids back up. They loved it! Their website is http://www.musictogether.com/ They usually have free classes so you can check it out.