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Margaret of [email protected] wrote:

I am preparing to teach a mothering class (our ward has a monthly class on weekday mornings) next week on helping children discover the fun of music.  I would really appreciate your ideas!

Answers:    1       2        3       4

I never really started out to have a home filled with music, it just wound up being that way.  Both my husband and I sing and I have spent many years in some type of music calling.  Having a piano in our home really helped.

With two children in primary, we wanted to boost their music ability to sing the primary songs so we began having what we call Song and Prayer many years ago.  Each evening before our evening prayer we call our family together when the piano begins an evening hymn or primary song.  Usually by the end of the first play through all are gathered and we sing the song together and then kneel in family prayer.  We've done this for years.

When is there music in your home?

When else does your family enjoy music? There is always somebody playing something to nod off sleep with or just to enjoy. They all had long playing music boxes as infants. We especially enjoy the music of the church, both hymns and otherwise in our cars.  My children all began piano early on and then switched to their band instruments in high school.

What are some ways your family enjoys music most?

Oddly, we don't really think about it.  We'd never noticed until one of my son's teenage girl friends was over and commented, "Wow, your home is really filled with music, isn't it?"  We'd never noticed before, but at that time one child was practicing his tuba, another listening to his music, the piano was litered with various pieces of music, and my husband was singing away some tune.

What are your favorite recordings?  (Religious and other)

We don't have any favorites, we love so many.

How do you get your children to successfully practice instruments?

I practice my piano, they practice their instruments.  We don't push, probe, or physically  reward, it just happens.  We encourage, expect, and compliment.

How has music strengthened testimonies in your family?

It has just been there like the song, _Hum Your Favorite Hymn_.  And I guess the other side of that is that if there isn't an example of music in your home for your children to come to understand, they will seek their own understanding and it may be something far worse that what you would desire.

1) When is there music in your home?  When else does your family enjoy music?

We have classical music as background to breakfast time in the morning.  This sets a good mood for the day.  We enjoy music as background when doing projects as a family.  I enjoy uplifting and upbeat music when I'm cleaning and when I'm cooking.

2)  What are some ways your family enjoys music most?

Singing "rounds".  Singing Christmas Carols at anytime of the year.  Going to school band concerts.  Going to hear the local university orchestra concerts (often free).

3)   What are your favorite recordings?  (Religious and other)

I personally love classical guitar music (Andre Segovia, John Williams, Elliott Fisk, etc) and the music of Astor Piazzolla (an Argentinean composer of film and tango music).  I also enjoy listening to the Bach St.  Matthew Passion,  all the Beethoven symphonies, anything by Mozart or Vivaldi, and both the Tschaikowsky and Prokofiev "Romeo & Juliet".  I like the gospel music of the Sullivan Family and enjoy Amy Grant's Christmas albums.  On Sundays I listen mostly to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which I love.  For children I adore "Tubby the Tuba" and "Peter and the Wolf" as well as "The Young Peoples Guide to the Orchestra" by Benjamin Britten.

4)   How do you get your children to successfully practice instruments?

This can be tough sometimes.  Usually there's an incentive (upcoming band concert, etc.) so 20 minutes a day minimum isn't hard.   Doing the practicing at the same time each day helps.  Goals help.  Playing for the family helps.  If all else fails -- no TV, sports, or games unless the minimum practicing is done.

5)   How has music strengthened testimonies in your family?

I know that the Hymns have brought me great peace and have helped me to understand many sacred things.  The music of great composers who were divinely inspired in their work has brought everyone in my family closer  to the Lord.  I truly believe that music can soften one's heart and prepare one to listen more fully to the Lord's message.
 

Years ago I taught a RS class on appreciating different kinds of music.   I had a friend who was an accomplished pianist make a tape for me.  He  played the same song over and over on the tape using various styles:   classical, honky tonk, jazz, rock 'n roll, with simple chords, with  "flowery phrasing", etc. Last of all he played just the melody as it is  traditionally heard.  Before I played the tape, I asked the sisters to  listen carefully and raise their hands when they recognized the piece.   Although a few recognized the song fairly early in the tape, most didn't  catch on till they heard the familiar version.  The song he played?   "M-I-C-K-E-Y  M-O-U-S-E!"  The point of the lesson, of course, was  that  we can learn to appreciate many forms and styles of music.

Another lesson using music, although music wasn't the topic, involved  playing a quiet, soothing piece of classical music while the Sisters  closed their eyes and  relaxed.  About the time everyone was really  getting into the relaxation part, I went to the piano and banged on the  keys like an enthusiastic two-year-old!!  After peeling everybody off  the ceiling, I explained that that was probably how our Father in Heaven  feels when we get contentious.

I grew up on Country music and Methodist church hymns.  Music has always  been a major part of my life.  I've done some recording in Nashville,  sang in various dance halls, fairs and so forth, spent my childhood and  youth in church choirs and the school band.

I have always love Church  anthems, Country and Western, and Classical pieces.  It has only been in  the past 5 or 10 years, though, that my music *tastes* have really  expanded.  My music collection now covers everything from Big Bands,  Frank Sinatra and Doris Day, to Elvis, the Beatles, and Fleetwood Mac.   Mozart's Night music plays at any given time of the day as do CD's  featuring flute pieces, Spanish and classical guitar, piano classics  and Celtic dances.  Movie and Broadway show tunes compliment Aretha  Franklin, Diana Ross and other Motown stars.  Jim Croce is often  followed by Marty Robbins and "Bolero" may come hard on the heels of  "Woodstock". Although she doesn't know it, Barbra Streisand often gives  concerts with Hank Williams. "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden"  bring the Spirit into our home just as strongly as "Oh My Father" and  "Come, Come Ye Saints."

Walt Disney helped our children (and many of  those my age, too, probably) learn to love some of the classics by  letting Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty sing to them.  My  kids are helping me learn to appreciate (some) current pop artists along  with a few "alternative rock" songs. (I feat they think I am dragging my  feet, though!) Now that we have moved to Louisiana, we are learning to  appreciate Cajun music and something called Zydake (really Strong Cajun  stuff!!)  When it comes down to it, I guess that as far as TYPES of  music are concerned, there are only a couple that are FORBIDDEN in the  house altogether.  There is a fair sized list of performers whose music  isn't welcome EVER, and there are a lot of individual songs that receive  no air play at all. There are many, many, many though, that are invited  in often!

Although there are only two adults and four children in our immediate  family, (and one of the adults can only play the radio) we have three  flute players, two sax players, two guitarists, two pianists,  a  drummer, and a cellist.  We have a darn good Bass, a passable Baritone,  two Altos, a Soprano and one with a two and a half octave range.   Eventually, the cacophony turns into a symphony if you encourage the  practice and practice the patience.  When you add my Dad who plays  piano, accordion, harmonica, and guitar, things really start jumpin'!

We try to encourage our children to appreciate and enjoy music in all  its forms.  We also teach them what is NOT music: screaming is not  music.  profanity is not music.  expressions of hatred, divisiveness,  disobedience and violence are not music.  We set standards not only for  lyric content, but also for the mood and emotions created.  Then we  listen and enjoy!
 

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me"-D&C 25:12

The power of suggestion is extremely strong.  Music plants suggestions in our minds.  We can choose how to control our thoughts by the type of music we allow ourselves and our families to listen to.

Pres. David O. McKay said "Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed, how deeply it moves our souls".

Engross yourself in worthy music.  It doesn't always have to be hymns. Use the guidelines:

 Does the music give you spiritual strength to face life's challenges?
 Does it give you a nobler perspective on life?
 Does it entertain you positively?
 Does it lift your spirit?
 Does it invite the spirit to dwell with you?

Bad music or music that hurts you spiritually can be measured by answering these questions:

 Does the music dull spiritual sensitivity?
 Can I think of the Savior while listening to this music?
 Does the music make me agitated rather than provide peace?
 Are the lyrics appropriate for me to listen to and sing along with?
 Is the music uplifting?

We need to expose our children to positive influences through music.  Some ideas follow:

 Listen to uplifting music during breakfast or at bedtime.  (Music can calm the savage beast!)
 Set standards in your home for what music is acceptable to be played.

Stick to those standards.  Help your children understand that if they bring something into your home that is against the standard, it will be destroyed. Spiritually degrading music should be treated with the same animosity as pornography, which it essentially is.

 Set the example.
 While traveling select appropriate music for entertainment.
 Encourage
 Listen to your children's music and help them to make good choices.
 Develop talents musical instruments
 Study a composer and listen to some of their works.