Gather all around the young ones

[GothExplorer]

I have just noticed that my recent thread about women in metal has led to a discussion about the musical education of children.  As I try to keep things on topic, I have decided to start a new thread on this subject.

I am all in favour of children learning to play instruments, but this is often done either not well or not at all.  When I was a child, music lessons at school tended to be utter rubbish, and I wonder if they are any better today.

There is a side of me that thinks that instruments and genres are not really important here.  After all, Dio learned classical trumpet as a child, and went on to become a metal legend.  Then again, you can't expect children to be motivated to learn to play a musical instrument unless you either bribe them with extra pocket money or else invite them to learn an instrument and genre that actually appeals to them.

I recall many years ago reading a letter in a children's comic.  A boy wrote that he and his friends wanted to form a pop group, but that none of them could play any musical instruments.  You might ask why they did not just learn, but it is not always that simple.  Could they afford to buy instruments?  Did they know anyone who could help them to learn?

I try to play my part.  I sometimes visit a family with two young children.  I recently gave their older child a four-octave electronic keyboard, but her parents are not musical, and I wonder if she will actually learn to play it.  If she does, then I don't care what genre of music she plays.

 

 

[MetallValkyrien]

On 3/15/2020 at 7:14 AM, GothExplorer said:

I have just noticed that my recent thread about women in metal has led to a discussion about the musical education of children.  As I try to keep things on topic, I have decided to start a new thread on this subject.

I am all in favour of children learning to play instruments, but this is often done either not well or not at all.  When I was a child, music lessons at school tended to be utter rubbish, and I wonder if they are any better today.

There is a side of me that thinks that instruments and genres are not really important here.  After all, Dio learned classical trumpet as a child, and went on to become a metal legend.  Then again, you can't expect children to be motivated to learn to play a musical instrument unless you either bribe them with extra pocket money or else invite them to learn an instrument and genre that actually appeals to them.

I recall many years ago reading a letter in a children's comic.  A boy wrote that he and his friends wanted to form a pop group, but that none of them could play any musical instruments.  You might ask why they did not just learn, but it is not always that simple.  Could they afford to buy instruments?  Did they know anyone who could help them to learn?

I try to play my part.  I sometimes visit a family with two young children.  I recently gave their older child a four-octave electronic keyboard, but her parents are not musical, and I wonder if she will actually learn to play it.  If she does, then I don't care what genre of music she plays.

 

 

Ah well for me my family loved music just not always my type of music. I was interested in playing of course but my family was not always supportive of HOW I wanted to play. There is a support factor to it, but also an internal drive. Those who persevere even with hardships and friction have that passionate fire in them which is part of the heart of metal its self. Of course having someone to learn from is great but its not everything. What it really took for me was hearing music that inspired me. Also promoting self help/teaching tools that are easily available is a great way to reach out to those who do not have the support for them for such things. Also getting your first guitar I know how hard that can be but finding a friend group can help you at lest learn to play on a friends.

[blaaacdoommmmfan]

Good idea for a discussion. 

Having the passion and drive goes along way. My wife's brother always had the passion to sing. He was a bit tone deaf but a couple of lessons soon solved that. The school or church concerts probably weren't as amusing after that though. ?he still plays alot now

I tried a load of instruments but my favourite is probably singing. Im no pro but I've recorded a few and there good quality. 

 

[Styx]

I come from a musical family, my dad used to play the drums, mom was a violinist, sang in a choir and plays the guitar occasionally. I myself am a bassist, can also play (or figure out how to) most guitar-like instruments as well as drums and percussion. 

Above mentioned are some points I agree with, mainly musical education being crap at schools. I recall a few attempts to make my class play the recorders, most of which were already broken, without any proper instructions. Now I’m sure there are tortures greater than that, but I’m afraid I won’t ever be able to get that horrible sound out of my head. 

As for theory, there were only basics and it didn’t really matter if you understood it or not. So unless you already knew theory from elsewhere, you certainly didn’t get to learn any at school. Maybe things have changed since then, after all it’s been a while, but somehow I doubt it.

 

Another point I agree with is that  it’s hard to motivate children to learn something unless it appeals to them so letting them choose their instrument and focus on genres they like would definitely help a lot. 

There’s also this one thing I noticed among young parents I know and that is that they either make their child play an instrument or a sport but rarely ever both. What’s your opinion on that? Personally I think a bit of both would be ideal but that’s just my opinion.

[Zemi]

Ive always played the bass, though none of my parents nor siblings are musical. I consider myself 95% self tought, as I've played, listened and read my way to knowledge of the bass guitar, and very rarely received any actual education. Even in school. Though i remember them having an acustic guitar at my first school (before 3rd grade), which is where it all began. That made me ask my parents for a bass guitar, and next christmas, I got one. In that way, they've always been supporting of me. 

I've played a ton of sports too, and actually won the Danish Championship in Rugby, and I remember being real torn about giving that up. I've done sports and music most of my life, and again remember my parents only as supportive of me, and ive always appreciated that. 

Imo parents should always encourage the kids' hobbies etc.