Homeschool Music (for the musically challenged!)

My mother is an amazing woman. She has blessed me with so many gifts over the years, but one of the most meaningful has been the gift of music. So how do I incorporate this gift into our days as we attempt to homeschool music?

The gift is given…

As a child, my mother shared her love of music with me and my sisters. She about drove me crazy singing harmony to my WeeSing tapes! Together we spent hours milking the cows and singing along to the local country station. She directed the church choir and encouraged our participation in it from a young age. Many long car trips were passed singing rounds and working out harmony to different tunes. Both of my parents invested hours into shuttling us to and encouraging our participation in choir and musicals.

My oldest sister went on to study music in college and is now a professor of vocal pedagogy. While my middle sister and I didn’t choose music as our career choice, it is still a gift we enjoy and unwrap on a daily basis.

Music is such a balm to my soul. With it I sing praises to God. When I am weary and worn, it lifts my heart.

As a homeschooling mother, I love transferring this gift to the next generation. Yet I know there are many parents who feel unqualified or at a loss on how to teach their children music. But even if you are completely tone deaf and can’t play an instrument to save your life, you CAN homeschool music.

Here are ways even the musically challenged can bring the beauty of music into their child’s education.

Easy Ways to Homeschool Music:

CDs, MP3s

Even when you can’t sing a note, you can encourage your child to listen to great music. Broaden your horizons – don’t just listen to the radio! Borrow CDs of classical or folk music from the library. Listen in the car, while cooking, or while your kids are playing – get creative! (Bonus: I find my kids play a lot nicer if they are listening to music while they play!) I believe one of the reasons I can sing in parts so easily is from listening to folk music on WeeSing when I was a kid.

Lessons

Piano lessons (or any type of instrument) are a wonderful way to develop not only your child’s musical IQ, but to foster a disciplined life. The cost of lessons can add up quickly – consider using computer software or a self taught program to start. If your child expresses interest in pursuing his chosen instrument, then you can then make the extra cash commitment.

Concerts

Enjoying concerts is a meaningful way to spend one-on-one time with your child. There are many free concerts available to attend especially if you live near a university. Do a little digging and you are sure to find something. There is nothing like watching music in action to help turn your child into a music lover.

Learn about Composers

Learning about composers and the struggles helps us connect with their music. Check out books on great composers from you local library. We enjoy The Story of…. series from VOX Music Masters. Each CD tells the story of the composer and his music and then plays some selections of their most famous works.

Let them play

Stock a basket with kids sized instruments for your children to explore. I found most of ours at a garage sale. Get a little more creative and work on an establish Music Corner where your kids can go and explore!

Match pitch

Anyone can sing a note! Sing a random note and have your child try to match the pitch. After they get that down, see if they can copy a string of notes.

Clap rhythm

Clap a simple rhythm and see if your child can copy you. As they get better, give them a harder one to copy. You could also try working on a rhythm on pots and pans or instruments.

Belt it

Sing! Even if you can’t sing a note, your children will catch the contagious joy of music. Sing in the shower, sing while you cook, and most of all sing in church!

Memorize it!

We love incorporating Hymn memory work into our Morning Basket time. It is a great way to fill my children’s souls with beautiful words and music with meaning!

Our family’s favorite homeschool music resources…

The Story of the Orchestra We love this book and accompanying CD. It does a great job of introducing little ones to classical music, its instruments, and composers.

Beethoven’s Wig Series We have owned these CDs for awhile and they have been a real hit with all of us. They introduce children (and adults!) to classical music and composers in a very entertaining way. Hilarious lyrics are put to some of the most famous classical pieces with the name of the piece and composer often incorporated into the words. I can often name the tune and composer when I hear a classical piece!

London Philharmonic Maestro 12 piece Set While we don’t actually own this set yet, it is on our wishlist. I plan on purchasing the set and then slowly giving the CDs to the children as birthday or Christmas gifts. It is a big investment up front, but the cost per CD is really a steal!

The Story of…. (Series) We like to listen to these CDs as a way to learn about the famous composers and their lives. Each CD contains a story of the composer’s life with their compositions playing in the background. This is followed by a few selections of their most famous works. You really get to know the sound of a composer’s pieces after listening to them awhile.

Melissa and Doug Instrument Set We were lucky enough to find this second hand at a garage sale. It has provided lots of hours of exploration and play. As with all Melissa and Doug toys, it has held up very well.

Maybe your child will never be a concert musician, but music is a gift that gives no matter your vocation. An appreciation of beautiful music, the stories and mastery of the great composers, and the ability to sing or plunk out a tune will bring such joy their whole life long!

What are the simple ways you incorporate homeschool music?