When I grew up, my dad had a dream for me—that I would become the next piano prodigy. Problem was, he never played an instrument. In fact, he listened to very little music, himself.
Naturally, he never got his dream. I never glommed onto the whole piano-playing thing. Instead, I grew up to be a harmonica player.
Flash ahead a million years... Now, I've got kids of my own, both of whom are fine musicians. But I never said a word to them about playing an instrument. What did I do, instead?
I modeled music-making. The whole time they were growing up I was walking around harpdoodling all the live long day (and night) on my harmonica. Result: My kids just grew up naturally believing that playing some kind of musical instrument was something one just does.
It was a natural evolution.
So one day, one of my kids said, "I want to play violin."
"OK, great!" I said.
And she's playing still.
The other child followed suit. Naturally. She actually does play the piano, and quite well, I might add.
Moral of the story: It's not important how well you play. The important thing is to play. Your kids will model their behavior after yours. Try it and let me know how it works!
Naturally, he never got his dream. I never glommed onto the whole piano-playing thing. Instead, I grew up to be a harmonica player.
Flash ahead a million years... Now, I've got kids of my own, both of whom are fine musicians. But I never said a word to them about playing an instrument. What did I do, instead?
I modeled music-making. The whole time they were growing up I was walking around harpdoodling all the live long day (and night) on my harmonica. Result: My kids just grew up naturally believing that playing some kind of musical instrument was something one just does.
It was a natural evolution.
So one day, one of my kids said, "I want to play violin."
"OK, great!" I said.
And she's playing still.
The other child followed suit. Naturally. She actually does play the piano, and quite well, I might add.
Moral of the story: It's not important how well you play. The important thing is to play. Your kids will model their behavior after yours. Try it and let me know how it works!
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