It's no surprise that playing the piano takes a lot of coordination. Not only do ten fingers, two hands, and a foot (or two) all have to work in perfect balance with each other...and all in rhythm. Rhythm is so vital to our perception of music as music that we often don't even consciously notice it as we're listening to music.
Beginning piano students, even those who have never had any sort of experience on any instrument come to their first piano lesson with a musical background whether they (or their families) realize it or not. Even at the age of four, a child has already passed their prime opportunity to begin internalizing rhythm and music.
What's a parent to do? Especially those who do not feel musically inclined! The good news music resides in every heart and there's nothing you need to DO. Children naturally feel rhythm and soak in music. But there are easy and effective ways to facilitate this natural phenomenon even more. And there's more good news...it's never too late to start!
1. Play Music
This may seem obvious but it's the number one way to raise a little natural musician. Play music in the car, in the house, play an instrument if you can, play lullabies at bedtime, Christmas music at Christmas time. Dance music during active times. Classical music during study times. Jazz during dinner. Play as many diverse genres of music as you can muster for your children from before birth if possible. You don't even have to identify it, acknowledge it, know anything about it, or even like it! Just have it playing.
2. Encourage Movement
Living room dance party, anyone? Moving naturally to music of different styles and tempos is so helpful in developing that connection between coordinating parts of the body in rhythm. Children naturally move but if they are older and have been in school, they may need a little persuading to choose musical movement over sitting or staring at a screen. Here is where you come in! Shut the blinds and let loose. Your children will join you just as soon as they get over the fact that you seem to have lost it.
For even more living room fun, try a game of Freeze Dance. Put on a song and encourage dancing in time to the music. Pause the song and instruct the children to freeze. Whoever can't hold their pose or keeps dancing is out.
Kitchen dance parties are also great when Mom or Dad is boiling this and stirring that and kids are hanging around with growling bellies. Try a Latin groove for dinnertime prep.
And for very wee ones, bounce and bob to the music as you hold them. Rhythmically move their foot or hand to the beat for them.
3. Read a Rhyming Stories
Speaking a poem or rhyming storybook in rhythm is teaching music! Even if your child is too young to understand the words you are speaking, just the rhythmic pattern of your voice will start to instill a natural sense of rhythm.
You can even make up your own rhymes to make life more rhythmic. Example: "You can pick up all your toys, one by one they make this noise."
As children grow, take it a step further by memorizing nursery rhymes or children's poems together.
Or take it a step further and make up a rhyming song (or poem) by taking turns speaking two lines of rhythmic dialogue about the day. Example:
Mom sings (or says): "It is such a lovely day. Would you like to go and play?"
Son sings (or says): "Mommy, yes I'd love to go! But do you think there will be snow?"
Etc.
4. Play a Mimic Game
Before growing bodies are able to keep a steady beat to music, their first instinct is to mimic the rhythms they hear most predominantly. Go with this instinct and bang out a distinct melodic rhythm or instrumental/drum part while listening to music. Ask your child to join in.
Another way to encourage this step in rhythmic development is to (without any music
playing) clap, tap or slap a very (very!) simple rhythm for them to repeat back to you. Do nothing but encourage anything they throw back at you (even if it's nothing like what you tapped). Keep it simple, short and easy to execute for their developing coordination. You may try using nonsense syllables or counting numbers to help them retain the pattern.
Older children will appreciate a metronome or drum beat going in the background of this game. Let the metronome click a slow and steady beat (try 60 beats per minute) while you create a simple rhythm for them to mimic. It's okay if you don't feel adept at this. Your children will be more than happy to take over as rhythm leader after a couple of rounds.
5. Play an Instrument Together
A simple drum, or a keyboard will do for this activity. Eliminate the need for using different pitches if using a keyboard. Stick to one key at a time so the child can build their rhythmic skills without confusion or complicated coordination.
With drum or keyboard at the ready, put on some easy-to-follow rhythmic music. Try mimicking the melody rhythm or keeping a steady beat to match the song.
You can also try the mimic game (as described in part 4) on the instrument of your choice.
6. Join a Music Class
And last but not least, if you are able join a children's music group where specially trained educators will walk you and your child through some of the above activities among others.
I'm excited to offer just such a class this summer in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area! Email me at info@cordamusiclessons.com to sign up or hear more details.
Remember that your child has natural rhythm inside of them. Don't be discouraged if you missed out on some of these opportunities. It's truly never too late to start making a few intentional choices to make rhythm (and music) a part of your family's everyday routine.
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