Wanting your child to love classical music can be incredible fun and rewarding. But I bet if you don't have a music background, you must feel lost and confused.
At Muso Method, we are thrilled to be part of it and love that you want this for your child. We are here to guide you every step of the way with our fun and innovative Muso Method Flash Cards and our Muso Certification for teachers.
Here are our TOP TIPS!
1. Create a Musical Environment - Expose them to Music
Expose them to Music
From when they are a little fetus in the stomach to the present moment, expose them to the music you want them to learn eventually. If you want them to play jazz, let them listen to jazz. If it's folk guitar, then listen to folk. If it's classical music, then listen to classical music.
Playing a specific type of music will help them spark curiosity and normalise this part in their lives. That's why so many football Dads have sons playing football - because it's on the TV all the time!
Sing and PLAY
Whether it's through arts & crafts or musical toys (e.g. toy pianos, guitars), watching cartoons featuring classical music performances or even fake pretending playing the piano whilst singing a lullaby/tune - this will help your child love classical music and embrace it when they are 4-5yo and can finally play or hold an instrument.
Some cartoon shows/movies featuring classical music:
- The Cat Concerto (Tom and Jerry) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pWOlXpR_lI
- Your Lie in April (Japanese Movie) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVf2-Jn1nu0
But in all honesty, just the parent dancing around to classical music is enough to create curiosity in the child.
2. Encourage Exploration with fake toys
Getting a toy and 'fake' playing on it is enough exploration for the child at a young age. Obviously if there is already an upright piano or violin (or the instrument you'd like them to play) would be best, as the child touching the instrument often would want to eventually play it.
We see this with our Muso students - flute Mums create flute kids, violin Mums create violin kids - and the list goes on. It's just easier that way.
That's probably why there's so many guitar players in the world - guitars seem to be available in every corner of the street!
3. Follow their interests
Pay attention to the sounds or musical interest direction they naturally gravitate towards. One thing we are proud of our Muso parents is that they really listen to their kids' wishes.
AND most important of all - it's OK to change!
Many piano students start out at 5 years old and then change at 8yo to more focus on violin, cello, flute - and the list goes on. Or sometimes, a student playing two instruments (piano and flute) will suddenly realise their talent is better at piano.
Sometimes, a child may start to be better at violin and lose interest in piano, so they are more willing to practice violin longer than piano - but then all of a sudden 2 years later, something clicks and the interest in piano practice will shoot back up.
You never know what will happen and it's never consistent!
But the most important thing is allowing your child to give it a go at both instruments, and seeing where their journey takes them (if your financials allow it).
4. Make Learning Fun - Buy the Right Tools!
Just like the English Alphabet, it's best to learn music reading and terminology with our Muso Flash Cards. You can purchase them on Amazon or on our main site here.
Our Muso Flash Cards provides tips for each music note (letter) so kids and parents can understand better so it doesn't just rely on memory (which can be confusing if you don't know classical music).
We also instruct you how to play fun games with soft toys, to make learning actually FUN and play based. You can follow our free music terminology program Muso2Six: Learn 2 Octaves of Notes in 6 weeks on our Muso Method webapp platform here. It's free with every Muso Flash Card purchase. Yay!
Unfortunately, other kids who use other flash card or methods struggle to sight read notes because they base it on 'guessing' the notes and never explain 'why'. Just like words. Kids can memorise words but if they don't understand the meaning, how can they fully remember it?
That's why many adults often say "I learnt music when I was younger but I forgotten it all now". That's because the memory was short term and wasn't real.
So that's why Muso Method Flash Cards have changed the way we learn music - and why our younger siblings who learn with Muso Flash Cards sight read better than their older siblings!
There is British Version and US version with Solfeggio.
5. Be Playful
To make classical music fun and enjoyable for your child, Muso Method encourages props like soft toys, Muso Flash Cards, high fives or excitable sounds - this will create a positive link for your child, and your child will view classical music as something fun (and not a chore like math homework).
6. Start Small & Stay Consistent - both practice and learning!
Practice
Once your child starts their instrument or toddler tune classes, make sure they attend it on a weekly basis so it starts to become part of their routine.
It's also important for other activities in their life to be consistent too, so they can become organised (making their bed, getting ready for classes). This will help them appreciate music practice routine better, when they start.
Daily routines include listening to classical music after their afternoon tea snack, or them 'practising' on the fake piano/guitar/violin etc.
Learning
If you are teaching your children without a music teacher Music terminology, make sure they only learn 3-4 new cards each week.
Muso Method provides clear instructions on which cards to learn first. More information on what to learn here.
7. Choosing the Right Instrument
Picking the right instrument is a big deal, and the internet is a great place to start. Explore different instruments and sounds and consider what your child is interested in and what suits them best. Whether it’s the piano, violin, or something else, we encourage trying different instruments to find the perfect match.
8. Choosing the Right Teacher
A lot of parents always ask us if we could recommend a teacher in their city. We are very proud to announce we are training and certified Muso Method teachers around the world, and the list is slowly building!
If you're a parent - you can find a Muso Method-certified teacher near you! (Click on the image)
If you're a music teacher, Our Muso Certification ensures teachers make learning both fun and structured, fostering a lifelong love of music.
9. Building a Routine
Consistency is key, and this is sometimes the trickiest part as parents. BUT, we’re here to help you build a regular practice routine that’s fun and part of daily life.
WATCH THIS SPACE!! WE HAVE A NEW PRODUCT LANDING SOON TO HELP YOU BUILD ROUTINE WITH YOUR KIDS OR STUDENTS
✉️ Sign up to our Muso Family mailing list to stay up to date!
10. Celebrating Progress
Every little win deserves a celebration! Whether it’s mastering a new song or rhythm, we believe in acknowledging progress to keep motivation high. Muso Method creates opportunities for kids to showcase their skills, boosting their confidence and sense of achievement.
ARE YOU A MUSIC TEACHER?
At Muso Method, we believe music education is an incredible journey that enriches lives. By starting with the basics and fostering a love for music, we set the stage for lifelong appreciation. Our Muso Certification ensures teachers deliver fun yet serious music education, making music a joyful part of every child’s world.
GET CERTIFIED
Happy music-making! 🎶