Training the Next Mozart: How to Increase Your Child’s Interest in Music

Learning to play an instrument is a tough task, but keeping a young one interested in music and their instrument can be even tougher. Playing an instrument from a young age can greatly increase a child’s mental capacity as well as their dexterity, but children often look at the task as a chore. Playing an instrument is also strongly correlated to better grades in both math and science, however, less and less children are playing instruments from a young age while more and more schools are eliminating music programs. In honor of Music in Our Schools Month, we asked Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra for a few tips on how to increase your child’s interest in music without making it feel like an everyday errand. Here is what they had to say!

Pick the Right Instrument!

The first and most important aspect of increasing your child’s interest in music is to make sure they are playing an instrument they enjoy. Some schools offer programs that allow students to test out a wide range of instruments so they can pick out their favorite. For very young children, small string or percussion instruments can help teach them the foundations of music while woodwinds and brass instruments are still too difficult to hold and play.

Break it Up!

Too often, a fun activity such as playing an instrument becomes a chore for a young child. Children tend to have wandering minds and can lose interest in an activity quickly. Instead of sitting your child down for one 30 minutes practice session, break up their practice into several shorter sessions throughout the night. Run through drills or a song a couple of times, and then let your child move on to something else. This will help prevent them from viewing the instrument as homework and make it more fun for them to play.

Let Them Experiment!

Though you might want them to learn Haydn’s Surprise by heart, your child is most likely more interested in learning to play the songs they hear on the radio. Allowing your child to play alongside their favorite songs and experiment with new, popular music will boost their creativity as well as help them stay more interested. Your child is a lot more likely to pick up their instrument and practice on their own if they are playing music they can show off to their friends at school or summer camp.

Hold a Concert!

Practicing drills is necessary but can be tedious. Break up the monotony by asking your child to hold a short concert one night a month. This allows them to put their skills to the test and play an entire song for you. Applaud and cheer for them to boost their confidence and encourage them to keep trying if they make a mistake. Providing support in a positive manner is a fantastic way to increase their interest.

Crowdsource Their Instruction!

The internet can be an amazing (and free!) tool for teaching your child to play an instrument. YouTube has thousands of instructional videos you can show your children, ranging from basic techniques to expert tips and tricks. You can even find ‘how-to’ videos that will teach your child to play fun, popular songs. Comments and ratings will help you inspect the quality of the video, but it is still a good idea to give them a watch through for any inappropriate content before you sit your child down in front of the computer.

Hopefully these five tips will help your child expand their musical interest and reap the lifelong benefits of instrument instruction. Remember, the most important part is to keep music instruction fun for your child.