Ideas for families to share music
Found in: Relationships
Colleen R., Washington
A mom of one of my special kids mentioned yesterday how much fun they are beginning to have as a family playing together and the music conversations happening between siblings and parents. I have three students from this family, and the mom is a traditional teacher and professional accompanist).
It prompted me to think of more ways we can encourage families to “play” together. We do lots of “one plays LH while another plays RH” and jazz scale over LH blues. What other ideas do you have? I have 8 families with 2-4 students each so it’s a big chunk of my studio!
More and better family time – what a wonderful outcome of our amazing Simply Music!
Leeanne I., Australia
Elizabeth Gaikwad’s Foundation Duets and Variations, in the Simply Music store. It’s under Supplemental Programs.
Maureen K., California
I too have families who make music together at home. It is now one of my big studio goals. This summer my theme was “It’s all about the jam”. My groups took songs like Fur Elise, Night Storm, Dreams Come True, and of course the blues songs, and figured out how they could play them ensemble style, thinking about bass/harmony/melody. I have a piano and keyboard so we use both.
When students play from the playlist, I regularly get on the guitar and play along because it helps them keep a steady rhythm. Playing hand drums would work fine too. I invite the other students and family members in the room toe play rhythm instruments. I’ve included parents, siblings, and my students on other instruments too, if they know how to play something else.
I could go on and on. I’m glad there is someone else who gets excited about students and families playing music together!