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These days it seems like most of the fun and social time we have is through a club, class or other activities. Fewer kids are utilizing the sandlot because they now have coaches and purchased uniforms. Of course, there is some free play out there, but so much time seems to be filled with structured activities and the costs that go along with them. It can get overwhelming just trying to decide.

Having opportunities is a good thing, but has our culture developed a mindset where this is the only way?

This often happens with music. When an individual or a parent thinks about learning music they sign-up for lessons and rent/buy an instrument. They may also sign-up for a choir, band or orchestra.

These are very important to do and are crucial to learning to make music well, but be careful to avoid the trap that this is all there is. You can have richer musical experiences for yourself and your family. Just take small steps to include music as a fluid part of your lifestyle. This can be done alone or along side structured music learning. Here are some ideas…

1. Start tapping. When you are listening to music tap out the rhythm or the beat. Make it physical. Tap on your leg or your child’s back or belly. It helps develop an internal sense of rhythm and makes you more aware of what is going on in the music. Try it on yourself using different parts of your body to tap with and tap on.
2. Open your ears. Begin to open your mind to the sounds around you. You will start to become aware of some musical treasures you’ve been missing along the way. Be sure to pay attention when your child notices sounds that you miss. Children haven’t learned to tune things out as well as adults. You can share some wonderful small experiences together by just taking a minute or two to listen.
3. Move from listening to singing. You hear songs every day. When you find something that interests you take the steps to learn to sing it. Move from humming to learning the words. You can do this with any song even commercial jingles and songs from Sesame Street. Don’t worry about how you sound, just have fun learning.
4. Make up new words to songs. This is great to do in the car and can end up in some wonderful silliness.
5. Buy some rhythm instruments. Use them alone or to play along while singing or listening to music.
6. Make some instruments. Take household items and make instruments. There is a lot that can be learned by stretching a rubber band around a shoe box and observing how the pitch and tone changes. There are lots of books and websites with ideas on homemade instruments for every skill level.
7. Make up new music. This doesn’t have to be difficult. Just pick some words and start singing about them. They will probably be simple and repetitive at first. That’s alright. If you keep doing it you will start to notice improvement.

Bonus Step

Listen deeper: Make a point to listen a little deeper to your favorite music. See if you can find things you’ve never heard before.

For example, you can try to

• focus on the sound of just one of instrument
• listen for changes in the melody or harmony
• find ways the words or music are expressing feelings or thoughts that you haven’t noticed before

Resist the temptation to critique yourself to the point of giving up. Don’t hold yourself to the same standards as a professional musician. Have some fun and look for how you are improving. Once you build a little confidence you can stretch yourself more.

Gently moving in new directions can bring you closer to that piece of music and make listening even more special.

To learn Simple Ways Music Can Improve your Day to Day Life subscribe to the FREE 4-Part mini-course at http://www.ourmusicalhome.com.

You are invited to share your thoughts, questions, and experiences by commenting at http://www.ourmusicalhome.com. This blog is dedicated to helping individuals and families to know and experience music in deeper ways.

by Deborah Allinder Lee who desires for you to have a more musical life.

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