Musical Talent, Help?

[judith_s]

Musical Talent, Help?

What do you do with a little guy (almost 23 months) who insists that Mom & Dad sing different songs simultaneously? We only know 4 songs (two of which are Dreidel, Dreidel and Hannukah, because of the recent holidays). The kid has been insisting that I sing the Dreidel song while gizbot sings Hanukkah. I'm going to have to introduce him to the "rounds" that allow us to sing the same song with a time delay.

There is only one problem with all this musical education. I can't carry a tune, and gizbot can't keep a beat. So poor little guy has to put up with our out of tune, and randomly timed singing.

So here is the "help" part of the post. Any suggestions where we could have the little guy take some classes? He's obviously completely fascinated by singing, and I really don't want him to learn from us. My Dad used to sing in a fairly well known choir (pre-puberty) so there is a chance the kid has talent. As for me, I got an A in a music class for promising to only mouth the words, and not sing out loud during the performances. Yeah, I'm that bad at singing.

Comments

[georgiaskydiver.livejournal.com]

Lol! I am in the same boat with you! I have a bachelor's degree in music, but I can't carry a tune in a paper bag.

Our Little Guy got a multi-CD set over the holidays, with CDs like animal songs, silly songs, playtime songs, happy songs, etc. and it is great! The songs are very well orchestrated.

We have fun marching around the house, doing hand motions and "singing" along to it. They are called "Sing With Me" and were published by LW Press/ Publications International, Ltd. The website on the CD is www.pilbooks.com, but my guess is that they can be found at Walmart.

I hope this helps.

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

That's, that's a great suggestion. My parents bought him the Sesame Street Songs boxed CD set. We'll have to try it. Right now he really prefers live singing to CDs though (we usually have music on at home). But I'll definitely check out the Sing With Me CDs.

[curiousgirl-04.livejournal.com]

Uh, I'm your sister, not your mother.

Although this way I could tell you to go to your room... :)

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

Oh, THAT would explain it (it being... well, you figure it out. :). Sorry, I forgot who gave it to us.

Any Sandra Boynton disk...

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

And perhaps the Wiggles or Trout fishing in America. At his age, it's more important to hear songs than to learn them...but what do I know? There's Suzuki and Montessori, and both teach some music, but I don't know availability of either near you.

Re: Any Sandra Boynton disk...

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

Oooh, he loves the books! I didn't know she did CDs too. I'll have to check it out. Good thing his birthday is coming up. :)

[kawgirl.livejournal.com]

I seem to remember hearing that toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3 1/2 like loud, fast music and the genre doesn't really matter (this might explain why he wants to hear 2 different songs simultaneously). I think the key is exposing him to different kinds of music.

I'm not sure about when to begin musical training, though. Right now, exposure may be the most important aspect of it.

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

He actually likes music with words, and he wants to know what they mean. He's an odd like guy. We usually have music in the house, and my parent have classical, so I think he's pretty well exposed to a wide range of music. I'm just thinking it might be time to teach him to sing.

[kawgirl.livejournal.com]

It sounds like he likes the caucaphony as well which is what made me think of that study. (:

[corset-chick.livejournal.com]

Try Music Together.

They are great, and when you sign up for classes you get a CD and songbook (with words as well as sheet music) so you can sing the songs at home.

Unlike some kids music, I don't mind listening to it. They even use some traditional folk music. They offer it at C's preschool - she loves it. For some of the songs they give the kids shakers or other instruments to play along.

You can find them at www.musictogether.com

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know I should try that. My mother has been promising that she'd take him. Most of their classes are during the day, which doesn't work well for us. But I'll have to check whether they offer it at the daycare, that would be perfect.