music for the music-less

[Kaz]

Without pushing them, I'd really like my kids to learn to play something, or at least have some sort of music appreciation. But I am musically illiterate myself. :rolleyes How does homeschooling or unschooling look in relation to music? How have you encouraged your children in this area?

[lumpofclay]

I like all kinds of music (well, almost all kinds :lol), so I've exposed the children to all kinds of music. They actually love everything from jazz and classical to Christian "pop". Ok, they'd listen to rap too, if I'd let them. (and I'd let them if I had some Christian rap :lol)

I'm musically illiterate, though. So I plan on letting them take classes, for their choice of instrument, after the age of 8 or 9. The local Christian private school will allow a child to attend only partial classes, so I think I could let them participate in their band.

[jujubnme]

We also listen to all kinds of music, watch ballet, read music-oriented books. Here are some of our favorite children's music resources for preschoolers:

Peter and the Wolf (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003FPB/qid=1112374710/sr=8-3/ref=pd_csp_3/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) - The classic children's introduction to the orchestra
Peter and the Wolf Ballet (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005B34Z/qid=1112374561/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl74/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846) by the Royal Ballet School.
Jazz Fly (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1889910171/qid=1112374777/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) - a charming book/CD combo that introduces jazz instruments - great for preschoolers
Gobble, Quack, Moon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1889910201/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-8874295-8417631?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) - another book/CD combo from the Jazz Fly creator
Nicky's Jazz for Kids (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DI4TB/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance) - a CD of some kid-friendly classic jazz/swing tunes sung by some of the greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671882392/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance) - great book for introducing instruments
Meet the Orchestra (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0152002227/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-8874295-8417631?v=glance) - another book that introduces instruments in the orchestra
Charlie Parker Played Be-bop (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0531059995/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_3/002-8874295-8417631?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) - a book that captures the emotions of jazz in its lyrical phrasing
Our Marching Band (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399233350/qid=1112376510/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-8874295-8417631) - a book about kids forming a marching band

There are a lot more :). These are just our favorites.

I know a lot of homeschoolers who have done Suzuki lessons for their kids. It intrigues me--especially the ear training part, because right now Julius seems a little tone deaf--but we're in a wait-and-see mode. He's too young right now, in my estimation.

[hearttender4]

Homeschooled teens often make great music teachers and they're cheap! :) My 10yo dd has been taking Suzuki violin lessons since age 6 from a homeschooled teen who now plays with an adult symphony. My 9yo dd learns piano from me. My tip as far as learning instruments is that I'd tell my kids that if they want me to invest the time and energy for lessons, they are expected to invest a reasonable amount of time and energy practicing. It is some work on my part just trying to remember to remind them to practice and help them practice effectively, but I really don't have much musical background, just took piano in grade school.