| These days it seems like most of the fun and | | | | every day. When you find something that |
| social time we have is through a club, class or | | | | interests you take the steps to learn to sing it. |
| other activities. Fewer kids are utilizing the sandlot | | | | Move from humming to learning the words. You |
| because they now have coaches and purchased | | | | can do this with any song even commercial jingles |
| uniforms. Of course, there is some free play out | | | | and songs from Sesame Street. Don't worry |
| there, but so much time seems to be filled with | | | | about how you sound, just have fun learning. |
| structured activities and the costs that go along | | | | 4. Make up new words to songs. This is great to |
| with them. It can get overwhelming just trying to | | | | do in the car and can end up in some wonderful |
| decide. | | | | silliness. |
| Having opportunities is a good thing, but has our | | | | 5. Buy some rhythm instruments. Use them alone |
| culture developed a mindset where this is the only | | | | or to play along while singing or listening to music. |
| way? | | | | 6. Make some instruments. Take household items |
| This often happens with music. When an individual | | | | and make instruments. There is a lot that can be |
| or a parent thinks about learning music they | | | | learned by stretching a rubber band around a |
| sign-up for lessons and rent/buy an instrument. | | | | shoe box and observing how the pitch and tone |
| They may also sign-up for a choir, band or | | | | changes. There are lots of books and websites |
| orchestra. | | | | with ideas on homemade instruments for every |
| These are very important to do and are crucial to | | | | skill level. |
| learning to make music well, but be careful to | | | | 7. Make up new music. This doesn't have to be |
| avoid the trap that this is all there is. You can | | | | difficult. Just pick some words and start singing |
| have richer musical experiences for yourself and | | | | about them. They will probably be simple and |
| your family. Just take small steps to include music | | | | repetitive at first. That's alright. If you keep doing |
| as a fluid part of your lifestyle. This can be done | | | | it you will start to notice improvement. |
| alone or along side structured music learning. Here | | | | Bonus Step |
| are some ideas... | | | | Listen deeper: Make a point to listen a little deeper |
| | | | to your favorite music. See if you can find things |
| 1. Start tapping. When you are listening to music | | | | you've never heard before. |
| tap out the rhythm or the beat. Make it physical. | | | | For example, you can try to |
| Tap on your leg or your child's back or belly. It | | | | - focus on the sound of just one of instrument |
| helps develop an internal sense of rhythm and | | | | - listen for changes in the melody or harmony |
| makes you more aware of what is going on in | | | | - find ways the words or music are expressing |
| the music. Try it on yourself using different parts | | | | feelings or thoughts that you haven't noticed |
| of your body to tap with and tap on. | | | | before |
| 2. Open your ears. Begin to open your mind to | | | | Resist the temptation to critique yourself to the |
| the sounds around you. You will start to become | | | | point of giving up. Don't hold yourself to the same |
| aware of some musical treasures you've been | | | | standards as a professional musician. Have some |
| missing along the way. Be sure to pay attention | | | | fun and look for how you are improving. Once |
| when your child notices sounds that you miss. | | | | you build a little confidence you can stretch |
| Children haven't learned to tune things out as well | | | | yourself more. |
| as adults. You can share some wonderful small | | | | Gently moving in new directions can bring you |
| experiences together by just taking a minute or | | | | closer to that piece of music and make listening |
| two to listen. | | | | even more special. |
| 3. Move from listening to singing. You hear songs | | | | |