View Full Version : Getting The Kids Involved
I thought this would be the best place to discuss this, as many of the regular posters in here are musicians too, so I'd really appreciate your feedback on this subject.
My Wee'erBurd is very keen on listening to music (recorded and live) at the moment, and I'd love her to learn to play one day too, however I have no clue as to the best age to help them start?
I don't want to be pushy - I'd hate music to become a chore for her (as it did for me at one stage!), more so, I just want to nurture her natural interest and enjoyment in it, and give her opportunities where I can.
So, any comments welcome - when did you all start playing; how did you get interested; who got you interested; what instruments did you start with; have you stuck with them or moved on to other things? Any advice/suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Incidentally, she's no even two yet, so all she can muster at the moment, is a big honk on her Pot Noodle Horn . Mind you, she's not too bad at holding a tune when it comes to singing her favourite theme tunes/nursery rhymes!!
Chobbersjnr
18-Sep-06, 15:41
I was brought into a musical environment & at the age of 2 I had a wee Hitachi stereo & a selection of tapes, Dvorak, Mozart, Kris Kristopherson, Bill Jones??
I then started to bash at my ol' mans drums at age 3 & instead of keeping me off it he taught me how to play instead. I couldn't reach the pedals but that never stopped a chap
basically I was given a start & worked & taught myself the rest along with a huge number of influences
I then discovered & wooden thing with strings on it at 6 & just had to get into it as well that naturally led to bass guitar. Having had the early start in music I knew from an early point that I would never have "a real job" music is my life & will continue to be my life
fortunately I didn't grow up with pushy parents IE go to college from school & then to uni to end up on the doll back in thurso. I went my own path & my parents supported me in every way & still do
I thank them for that, as I am almost completely happy in my work (you don't have to enjoy every gig you know)
yours truly
a early started musician
With reference to the above post by Cjnr, it was not him and his drums that drove me mad, I was there already.
Seriously I did everything I could to help him to do what he wanted with as little interference as possible. When he was playing with me at the age of seven, folks begged me not to push him. When he was still playing with me at the age of eighteen the same folks begged me not to hold him back. We still make our best music together and everyday is an exploration of the musical unknown. I suppose the secret is to let your daughter learn at her own speed and give as much intuitive help as you can. Encouragement and help in her own chosen direction and she will learn naturally. Good luck Wee Burd.
Thank you,Gents, I enjoyed reading the two sides there.
The Wee Wifie is already showing a leaning towards the pipes for some reason, and insists we play pipe music in the car. Alas I'm no piper (could be in her blood though, as she's descended from a local piping dynasty). She also likes to strum at her miniature guitar, whilst singing along. Ah, so sweet...
I do think that music is most enjoyable when you explore it yourself, rather than being force-fed curriculum gumphhh that is of no interest to the average kid. Mind you, that's maybe why I never got much further than learning my chords .
Chobbersjnr - I thought Bass was only for the bubbles like me, who's mouth was quicker than their fingers, hahaha!
Disclaimer: I do not pretend to be proficient in any instrument, but will attempt to get a sound out of almost anything. I prefer to stick to the karaoke!
i started playing an instrument (guitar) when i was twelve, but took it seriously when i was 15. i am self taught. my parents friends and family allow me the space to learn on my own time and i have found that musically satisfying.
because i had the freedom i chose to take up, bass, drums, keyboard and now drums.
i also sung since i can remember.
Yes, the key word here is freedom; freedom to try things out, change instruments even. And of course freedom to make a right racket without being curtailed! ;)
Outhouses are handy!!.....
well in my current music room, which is my old childhood room, its very very very small. we had two old matress's lying about, nuthin fancy but i put one up on either side of the room and for over a year i have had no complaints from the locals.
when i said freedom i meant creative freedom, musical expression, no boundries as in no "dont sing that, or play like this"
i was allowed to develop my own style and make something mine.
but i do understand where you are coming from.
i used to live next to a drummer
UGGHH!!!
Oooooooooooooooooooh a thread wanting to know how we all started to see the best way to go about things
I already have to agree, being force fed music and being led in any direction unwillingly is a defo way to end any thoughts about enjoying playing music
For myself i started to play bass when i was 13 (basically becaue there were 2 few bassists at the time, and it was the same tone as my voice at the time :lol: )
Got into a lot of bands and when i was about 15, maybe 16 learned the art of slap bass, and it really all took off for me there
I also play guitar (not very well, more finger plicking than actual chord playing, im a bassist, individual finger movement i prefer) and i sing (which i belive i am better at), but my number one passion is bass, i wont say im an excellent bass player, but i am a good bass player which i put down to my many years (......whoa, nearly 10) of gigging and jamming, its my number one instrument of all time, which sadly i believe by too many people is looked on as a poor mans guitar or a failed guitarist which is RUBBISH
But yeah, i feel great pride in my abilities as i taught myself from scratch, which makes it all the sweeter, good luck to the wee one, music is the best thing i have ever involved myself in, it is my rock, it is my heart and soul, it is my love (excuse the over dramatisation there)
:roll:
Chobbersjnr
19-Sep-06, 16:03
Chobbersjnr - I thought Bass was only for the bubbles like me, who's mouth was quicker than their fingers, hahaha!
well that makes me a bubble as well
NAH not at all, all I have to say is
Victor Wooten
John Entwisle
Phil Lesh
Anthony Jackson
John Pattitucci
the list is endless
Niels Henning-Orsted Peiderson (what a name) he can shred on a double bass:D
roblovesplastic
19-Sep-06, 19:16
I know you were looking for musicians to reply but I thought I'd chip in too.
The best bit of advice is all of the below text plus the biggy
if he/she wants to a be a drummer, just buy the drum kit, yes they are expensive but yall be able to sell it easy, loadsa people want to try the drums.
no thats it on the advice.
Weeburd,
My musical adventures started at the age of 15 on drums. (I sold my Hornby trainset to help finance things). About a year later I was fascinated by synthesizers (just strange synthetic noises) and bought a Roland SH-101 (monophonic, 2 and a half octave, plastic thing). This led to MIDI and sequencing which 25 years later ended up with a full blown personal recording studio and a wedding band with more bookings than they know what to do with!!
My advice is to encourage your daughter as much as she can bear/has interest in. Mozart was playing to the aristocracy of Europe at the age of three and composing concertos only a few years later!! (though his father was overly pushy on many fronts).
Above all let her hear as diverse a range of music as possible (Classical, jazz, blues, traditional, rock etc) I had a VERY blinkered vision and taste (Rush & Genesis) until being partly educated also by Gleber2:eek: I also recommend getting a small portable recorder of some sort so she can get used to hearing how she sounds. It is an invaluable self training tool.
I know you were looking for musicians to reply but I thought I'd chip in too.
The best bit of advice is all of the below text plus the biggy
if he/she wants to a be a drummer, just buy the drum kit, yes they are expensive but yall be able to sell it easy, loadsa people want to try the drums.
no thats it on the advice.
this advice is twisted:Razz
crivvens what about the back problems that go with drumming
harmonica, nice & small & fits in the pocket
loo-b-loo
19-Sep-06, 20:53
WeeBurd.
I did my first concert at the age of 4 singing to a group of WAF ladies, so the earlier you start them the better.
I then went onto learn the piano although I don't really play it any more it gave me a great grounding for generall reading of music and always being able to bang out the notes and learn new songs. I hated having to practice all the time though!!
I also played Cornet at school and then moved onto the Saxaphone. I would say encourgage as much as you can for your child to do what makes them happy. I was brought up on Bab's, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rodgers but to name a few and my husband hates my music taste so just play a wide variaty and they will soon find out what they like and what they don't.
Chobbersjnr
19-Sep-06, 21:04
WeeBurd.
I did my first concert at the age of 4 .
you beat me by 2 years
mine was in the jazz club in the old weigh inn circa 1986 on drums
If she's performing by the time she's in school, great!
But, seriously, I have no pre-defined targets up my sleeve or whatever. Whether she just wants to listen to music; to play music for herself (and hopefully her Maw & Paw & Sis); or to become a full on classical/jazz/country/pop/rock musician - I'd just like to encourage her. It's good to hear that some of you started pre-school too...
We shall continue to expose her to as varied a musical banquet as possible, and perhaps let her have a wee play on some real instruments pretty soon, to see what she makes of them. And if you happen to see a wee toddler at any local gigs, don't go to close - she packs a mighty punch![lol]
Even if she is just starting, she can replace every member in each of my bands, even if its an instrument she has never played
that would still be better than my fellow band members
:roll:
harmonica, nice & small & fits in the pocket
Beeg Albert maybe gleber?
Beeg Albert maybe gleber?
Aye, my first teacher.
loo-b-loo
20-Sep-06, 12:59
you beat me by 2 years
mine was in the jazz club in the old weigh inn circa 1986 on drums
And I bet you didn't have to perform "Raindrops on Roses" with bunches and ribbons in your hair!!
Oh the shame....
you beat me by 2 years
mine was in the jazz club in the old weigh inn circa 1986 on drums
Godmin has a DVD of that performance but haven't seen fit to put it on the org yet.
Even if she is just starting, she can replace every member in each of my bands, even if its an instrument she has never played
that would still be better than my fellow band members
:roll:
Ben, we only play rubbish so as to not show u up
I started out playing snare, bass and tenor drum in a local pipe band aged 8 or 9.
I didn't really get into music until i was 12 and started playing guitar. I had a few strums of my dads old eko acoustic shortly before starting high school and once I started High School I really got into it. Mum and Dad bought my first acoustic shortly before my 13th birthday and the collection has never stopped growing!
Played in numerous High School bands playing guitar and occassionaly bass, also tinkered about on the drums from time to time when Andrew Kirk or James Steven would leave their drum kits at my gaff after practice.
Did my recording debut in 1999 for a Millenium CD funded by the highland council. (I have a copy if anyone is brave enough to listen to it!)
Was encouraged to play whenever I could as long as I kept my studies as my priority. Was also encouraged to sing but as anybody who knows me will tell you, that aint gonna happen anytime soon!
Other instruments i tinkered with on the way include bagpipes/chanter (was useless because of asthma) and violin which gave me a good grounding for learning the mandolin.
Still playing in 2 bands at the moment, have been offered other bands at times but I don't think it would be fair as I wouldn't be able to devote myself as much then to each band as it would be too time consuming.
Wish i learned piano aswell but that never happened. I can't read music anymore though unless its guitar tab.
I would have to agree with Moncur on that statement
the piano, if i could go back id of started on it, has to be the greatest instrument of all time
Chobbersjnr
20-Sep-06, 15:39
I would have to agree with Moncur on that statement
the piano, if i could go back id of started on it, has to be the greatest instrument of all time
for once Reev I agree
there's nothing like a really good joanna player to brighten the night up. Speaking of which anybody who just happens to be in inverness on Monday 25th september there's a chap called Gerry Coogan playing Johnny Foxes irish bar & there's some wee Caithnessian lad dropping in for a jam on a piece of strung wood??:lol:
can't wait
MadPianoPlayer
27-Sep-06, 20:26
I think that any age is ok for a child to start learning as long as they want to learn at the age they want.
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