VOC
WAITING FOR PROFESSION
Last month I wrote about staying home with
your children during the pandemic and taking
advantage of the opportunity to teach your
children to sing. I was hoping, at the time of that
writing, that the pandemic would be behind us.
At the time of this writing however, we are still
full swing in shut down mode with a few states
beginning to loosen restrictions. This leaves us
with a unique opportunity to influence our kids
musically, Singing is a very uplifting activity. I
recommend lots of singing during these difficult
days. Singing together as a family is a wonderful
way to bond, worship or just have fun!
Many parents wonder what the course of
action for training their kids in music might be.
In today’s world of crazy activity (although now
quite affected by the pandemic!) our tendency
is to fill our children’s’ lives with lots of activity
outside the home. Lots of parents are of the
mindset that the earlier they can get their kids
lessons in music - the better. But is that true?
I know its tempting to think that you just might
have the next Mozart sitting at your kitchen
table, and of course that’s always a possibility…
but the likelihood is quite small. I would caution
pushing children too soon into musical lessons
of any kind lest the child burn out before he
is even mature enough to benefit from the
lessons. That said, my best advice to you is to
offer opportunity to engage in musical activity
at home and see how your child responds.
Your children tend to imitate your behavior, so
if your child sees you enjoying music, singing,
playing an instrument, etc, it will be easier to
see whether or not the child demonstrates a
genuine interest. Home is the best place to
start.
WHEN DO I START PRIVATE LESSONS?
When it comes to private lessons and singing,
I think parents often put the cart before the
horse. Hoping to get a jump on the game,
parents often think
voice lessons for their
greatly improve their ch
musical career. I see jus
voice lessons for you
unnecessary and poten
the voice too early ca
strain and damage. Wh
suggested age for priva
14. By that time most
puberty so it is a good tim
the maturing voice. Ple
the voice doesn’t reach
age 25. It reaches full m
sad fact today is that s
have already damaged
ever see full maturity. So
vocal technique early is
voice lessons aren’t the
training and experience.
I recommend school an
whenever possible. Lea
blend) in a group, dev
sing harmony are all in
be learned at a young a
offer opportunities for ch
musical productions and
long as the children aren
are actually learning go
these can be invaluabl
time your child is in high
late middle school) th
even more opportunitie
singing. By then your ch
a great interest in singin
in private lessons. This
protect your child fro
directors at school. It g
how high school music
students way too hard
countless young peop
vocal nodules (or worse
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June 2020