This guide explores how parents can encourage their children’s musical development, drawing inspiration from the anime “A Place Further Than The Universe” (宇宙よりも遠い場所, Uchū Yorimo Tōi Basho), which champions exploration and self-discovery. Like the characters venturing into the unknown of Antarctica, children can embark on their own musical journeys with encouragement and support.
The core idea is to foster a love for music, regardless of skill level or formal training. The most important aspect is consistent engagement. Encourage your child to interact with an instrument daily, whether it’s guitar or piano. Showing up is half the battle. Award them metaphorical “gold stars” for daily practice, with a “silver star” for the duration or complexity of their playing.
Cultivating Musical Curiosity
After consistency, cultivate curiosity. Encourage exploration of music, instruments, and their possibilities. Curiosity will fuel continued engagement and experimentation. Suggest trying different things. What sounds can they create? Playing along with recorded music can be an excellent start, even if it’s just tapping the instrument.
Singing and Percussion: Foundational Musical Skills
Singing along to favorite songs is another fantastic activity. Don’t worry about vocal abilities; the goal is participation and enjoyment. Music thrives in social settings. While playing with friends is ideal, children can also “join in” with recorded music from platforms like Spotify or CDs. Counteract societal pressure to be a passive consumer of music. Empower your child to find their unique musical voice.
Everyone possesses a distinct musical voice, much like a speaking voice. Unlike speaking, we often lack encouragement and training in developing our musical voice. Instrumentalists who aren’t in bands have an advantage: they can develop their own music and gain a deeper understanding of chords and harmony.
Introducing percussion is invaluable. Tap along with music to identify the regular pulse. Experiment with different sounds using household items like wooden spoons and pots. Create a DIY drum set using cardboard boxes. Use a metronome to practice accurate timing. Once comfortable with the beat, experiment with rhythms of melodies and adding fills.
Encourage experimentation with rhythm creation. Create unique beats and explore different styles. Percussion can be incorporated into piano or guitar playing by tapping on the instruments. Singing and rhythm activities prepare children for playing any instrument. These activities are immediately accessible and require no formal lessons.
Unleashing Creativity Before Lessons
Before formal lessons, allow your child to explore their creativity. Experiment with singing and rhythm on the piano. Start by tapping and singing a single note in their vocal range. Play and sing slow quarter notes, then vary the volume. Introduce rests and accents, both regular and irregular. As they progress, increase the tempo or switch to eighth notes. Experiment with different rhythms. Can they play what they can sing? Add a second note and alternate between the two, still singing. Experiment with volume, accents, and rests. Change the note values to create a more musical sound. Add syncopation and jazz it up. Challenge them to play something with their fingers that their voice can manage. Tap their foot to the beat while their fingers and voice do complex rhythms. Focus on creating short musical phrases, like sentences in speech.
The point is to learn to think in music and speak music. Many music programs prioritize symbols before understanding their meaning. Start with curiosity, explore sounds, and discover possibilities. Formal lessons can be valuable later for learning specific techniques and information.
Prioritizing Musical Joy over Perfection
Traditional lessons focused solely on notation can discourage enjoyment and lead to quitting. Notated music is valuable, but it shouldn’t overshadow making one’s own music. Music making should prioritize expression and having a voice over perfection. Learning to be a “parrot” has its place, but it’s only one aspect of musicality. Making one’s own music eliminates the fear of “wrong notes.” Encourage curiosity and fun. Play easy and enjoyable pieces frequently. Play with friends whenever possible, without relying on sheet music. Get a rhythm going, experiment with playing on and off the beat, improvise, sing, laugh, dance, and repeat.
Formal lessons can provide valuable pointers on technique and introduce written music. Other people’s music can be rewarding, but not at the expense of personal musical expression. Making your own music allows collaboration with anyone, regardless of instrument or skill level. Don’t wait for perfectly fitting pre-written music.
Finding Your Voice in Music
Encourage your child to view music making in a new light: as a treasure and a form of self-expression. Lessons and school are valuable, but only part of the bigger picture. Music should originate from within, fueled by curiosity and a desire for expression. Like learning a foreign language, expression is paramount. Use existing skills to communicate feelings and interests. Reciting in a foreign language is insufficient; true fluency lies in expressing oneself.
Start today and help your child discover their unique musical voice. Later, they can learn to replicate others’ expressions. But prioritize finding their own voice first. Encourage extensive listening and playing along with rhythms. Facilitate playing with others whenever possible. Ensure they engage in some musical activity every day. Showing up consistently is key.
Conclusion: A Lifelong Musical Journey
Like the journey to Antarctica in “A Place Further Than The Universe,” a musical journey is about exploration, discovery, and personal growth. By encouraging curiosity, creativity, and consistent engagement, parents can empower their children to unlock their musical potential and create a lifelong passion. Continuing with their music will provide enjoyment and enrichment for a lifetime.
