How Parents of Music Students Can Help Keep the Music Going at Home

This has been a challenging week.

Many of us are facing school closures, and thinking about how to balance working, and parenting from home. All while we’re also very aware of wanting to keep those around us healthy and safe from the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities. How do we keep the music going at home during this unusual time?

Wonderful online communities are springing up about how teachers can move their teaching online.

Our own Suzuki Triangle Community will, I hope, become a place for parents of music students and teachers to share ideas to keep the music going and a sense of normalcy in our children’s lives. 

Here are a few suggestions I would love to share with parents: 

These next few weeks may be a time when your child can actually practice MORE because we are all at home with extra time on our hands.

Depending on their age, some of this time can be unstructured time with their instrument, just playing for the fun of it. Music can be so comforting during uncertain times. If others in the family play music, playing together would be wonderful too.

Because of technology, we can often carry on with seeing our teachers through online lessons.

Having this technology available is so fantastic for continuing on with music lessons, as well as a sense of normalcy in our children’s lives.

Many teachers are learning how to do this for the first time.

Please be patient with us as we work to learn the technology and support our students in this way. I think once we all get the hang of it, it will be an excellent way to connect with each other and keep the music going in our lives. 

Set up a music playdate, or a mentoring session online with a buddy or older student from the studio.

It can be lonely not to see our music friends in person. Practicing with or for others can really help with feelings of isolation and with motivation to practice. 

Here are some other quick tips: 

Find something your child LOVES to play

It may be a tune from a movie they figure out by ear. A sight-reading piece they find online somewhere like 8notes.com or something your teacher has assigned or recommends. 

Work on note reading!

You can use assigned materials from your teacher, apps like Staff Wars, or make your own flashcards at home. 

Watch or Listen to Inspiring Musicians

This is a great time to watch or listen to musician’s who are inspiring to your child, or to find some. The list of potential performers is endless but here are a few to get you started:

Rachel Barton Pine

Ray Chen

Hilary Hahn

Regina Carter

Black Violin

Watching or listening to beautiful music often inspires me to want to practice and it can be a calming activity to do at home as well. Maybe your younger child could draw a picture while listening or older students could learn more about the artist.

I will close with part of my email sent out parents this weekend in my program: 

Suzuki created this method of instruction during a time in world history with lots of turmoil and uncertainty — as a way for children to focus on beauty and creativity and hope. I am glad technology lets us keep things going and providing a bit of normalcy right now. 

Wishing you all peace & good health and hope you’ll join the conversation and help keep the music going in your own way!