Monthly Archive for October, 2009

Reggae Mix Online

I am always on the look out for articles on the art and business of music.These are essential “know-hows” for those of  you interested in learning music in any form. You can be inspired at any age to play a musical instrument or get your children inspired.

Learning To Sing Or Play An Instrument

Everyone is musical, everyone can sing, and every child can get an enormous amount of pleasure and benefit from learning an instrument. Go about it the right way and you will be giving your child an experience that will last them throughout their life.

Which Instrument?

Choosing the right instrument for your child needn’t be a nightmare. Most children will begin on one of a handful of instruments: piano, recorder, violin or cello.

You’ll want to make sure they are comfortable with it. Some instruments are better for younger players. The recorder, for instance, is easy to handle. Some stringed instruments are available in smaller versions for beginners. Whereas anything involving breathing, like brass and woodwind, should wait until they have the strength to blow and their second set of teeth have appeared. Every instrument is different.

Take your children to hear live music to find out about different instruments. Encourage them to think about the genres that interest them – rock, classical or jazz?

• Try before you buy – an instrument can be costly.
• Think about where your child will fit in. For example, there are often more clarinet and flute pupils than there are groups for them to play in, while bassoonists and oboists are more scarce, and so might enjoy more opportunities. Bass players are also rarely short of a gig, unlike their guitar-playing counterparts.
• if your child finds it difficult at first, encourage them to persevere, the rewards are worth it.
• Some instruments, like recorder or piano, are best for beginners and some string instruments may be available in special small sizes.
• Some, especially brass or woodwind, are more suited for older children.
• Think about practical considerations: will the noise disturb the neighbors, is it too big too lug around, have you got room for your child to practice?

Some Instruments Suggestion

Piano

• A large instrument from the percussion family with keys attached to pedals and strings, it is used in almost all forms of music.
• Full name “Pianoforte” which is Italian for “soft-loud.”
• It is not hard to play – but hard to play well!
• It can be costly to repair.

Recommended listening: Glen Gould, Martha Argerich, Herbie Hancock, Alfred Brendel, Joanna MacGregor, Artur Rubinstein, George Shearing.

Drums

• Toy drums can be great starter instruments from as early as two years old.
• Younger children should begin with a smaller drum.
• Your child may find it difficult at first, but encourage them to persevere.
• Drums are important in most forms of modern music.
• A drum machine or practice pad can be quieter, portable and good for practice if you do not have room for a full kit.

Listen to: Phil Collins, Evelyn Glennie, Kodo Drummers, or Billy Cobham to get an idea of the range of percussion possibilities.

Guitars

• Start your child off on an acoustic guitar to learn the basics.
• To begin with expect sore fingertips but they should toughen up in time.
• It is good to learn how to hold it properly because a child can damage ligaments in their hands if they are not careful.
• Try to find a teacher that specializes in the music your child is interested in.
• Folk guitar is probably the easiest style to learn, Spanish and Classical are more difficult.
• A solid-bodied electric guitar may be too heavy for younger children to begin with.

Listen to: Jimi Hendrix, John Williams, BB King, Paco Pena, Segovia, Eddie Van Halen, John McLaughlin for an idea of the range of possibilities

Singing

We all sing, and singing is the basis for all music. Babies learn to sing by imitating sounds. If you sing to them they will try to copy you. Many children can sing in tune by the time they start school, and the more they sing the better they get. Some children have a gift for singing, and you may want to consider vocal lessons or training, but it is generally not a good idea to have too much formal training at an early age. The golden rule with singing is: if there’s any sign of strain, stop. It’s very easy to learn bad habits and very hard to get rid of them!

• Singing is a great social activity.
• Lessons can help to develop technique and posture and breathing.
• You do not have to be a great singer to enjoy it. Think back to your childhood – were you told that you could not sing? How did it affect your confidence? Always try to encourage your child.
• Your child should not push their voice, especially at a young age.
• They should not compare themselves to other singers; everyone’s voice is different.
• Self-confidence and determination to succeed will help.
• Practice can make all the difference.
• Encourage them to take good care of their voice, eat a healthy diet and take exercise.
• Learning another instrument, for example the violin, can complement singing lessons.
• Find out if there is a choir or vocal group for children at your child’s school or in your local area. Local libraries or music shops should have details.
• Some choirs insist upon an audition. Your child should sing a song that suits their voice (you will be able to hear if they are straining), and that they are comfortable with. Ask their teacher or school if you are unsure.
• Your child does not have to read music to join a choir, but as they progress to more complicated pieces it is may become a requirement. Gospel choir leaders usually teach by ear.
• Most choirs teach children basic techniques such as diction, breathing, posture and warming-up to help develop the voice.
• Formal singing lessons may be more appropriate for teenagers, when the voice is physically more developed; although it continues to mature after this.
• Boys’ voices may change gradually or quite suddenly. They may need to be left to settle for a while before it can be decided where the pitch range lies. They won’t harm their voices singing through this stage but it may be hard for them to control the sound and, as always, strain should be avoided.

Listen to: Ella Fitzgerald, Cecilia Bartoli, Luciano Pavarotti, Cleo Laine, Joan Sutherland, Frank Sinatra for an idea of the range of possibilities.

There you go, let your inspiration be your guide to the beautiful vibes of music. Get inspired at any age or give the gift of music to your children. Let them learn an instrument whether for fun or a career path. According to the International Foundation for Music Research, music plays a crucial role in the development of school-aged children, and it doesn’t stop there…music researchers continue to find correlations between music and the development of the human brain.

So stop dreaming and start doing…you’ve always wanted to play an instrument…Go For It!

Excerpts taken from the BBC.CO.UK Parents Music Room