Keep Music Cool During The Hot Months
By Jesse Tollestrup
SCHOOL'S OUT...FOR...SUMMER!
The school year wraps up at the end of June and so do your child’s music lessons. Ahead are two blissful, stress-free months of summer vacation with nothing for your angelic child to do, but help out around the house and practice their instrument…right??
Of course, we understand the reality of summer. It’s awesome and fun. It’s also a special form of busy and requires a lot more planning to keep your kids entertained and away from screens. Not to mention the special tolerance each parent needs to develop to the dreaded phrase “I’m bored.” From the logistics of coordinating playdates to vacation planning to swimming lessons to summer camps, the craziness continues and, we would argue, so should the music. But maybe not in the way you might expect.
Read ahead for three ways to keep music cool for your kids during the hot summer months.
1. SHAKE UP THE ROUTINE
So, music lessons have stopped for the summer. Should your child stop playing their instrument? Well…maybe! (Don’t tell your music teacher we said that, though.)
Kids: Summer is a great time to try out a new instrument. Pick up your grandpa’s guitar while on vacation. Build a sick drum kit out of pots & pans. Ask your parents for a family trip to the local thrift store and see who can find the wackiest instrument under $15.
Get creative - music is everywhere, and pretty much anything can be an instrument!
Parents: It’s summer and you deserve a break too! Take advantage of the less structured days of summer and embrace not having to “bug” your child about practicing three times a week. Instead, look for fun and offbeat opportunities to infuse new musical experiences into your child’s time off of school to help keep their love of music alive. And if you and your child both thrive with a bit more structure, then use that to your advantage as well! Try creating a new summer structure where you intentionally set aside some time for something music related. Could be right after swimming lessons each week, as an example.
What exactly can you fill this time with? Read on to find out!
2. LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC
Did you know that listening to music is just as important as practicing music?
That’s right! Being a musician isn’t just about theory & technique, it’s also about developing your own taste. We learn best when we are excited about what we’re learning.
Kids: Any time you hear a song you like, tell someone! Ask your parents to start a playlist of songs you like. Listen to it all the time. Sometimes, just listening to music can get our feet tapping and our fingers itching to pick up an instrument.
If you already know what you like, dive deeper. Check out all the library books on your favourite band. Watch documentaries on the lives of musicians. Put on some headphones and listen to an entire album, front to back.
Parents: Try scheduling weekly library trips. Help your kids find the biography section so they can learn more about their favourite musician, pick out some documentaries about a new band, or browse the Edmonton Public Library’s massive collection of CDs…and please tell us you still have a CD player!
Put on the radio. That old CD player has more than one use! Mix up your analog summer by downloading the app ‘Shazam’ so you can identify any songs your kids get excited about. Help them make a playlist.
Check out some live music. There’s lots going on throughout the summer, from music festivals to concerts to coffee shop performances to buskers. Whether you’re kicking it in Edmonton, road tripping to Montreal, or lounging on beaches in Mexico, there is sure to be all-ages live music happening near you.
3. COLLABORATE WITH FRIENDS
There are so many ways to make music together! A classic is getting together with friends and playing a song together that you all know. However, we know this is easier said than done, especially if you’re just starting your musical journey. The good news is, you have options!
Kids: Listen to music with your friends! Take turns picking out a song, pull out the snacks, turn up the volume, and kick back with your crew. Talk about what you liked and what made you cringe. Try making parody versions of your favourites. Bust out the air guitar. Go wild on the kazoo you found at your local music store or your pots-and-pans drum kit.
Parents: Did you know Backbeat offers Summer Rock Camps? Our full- and half-day camps are an awesome place for kids to try out an instrument and learn to play in a group under the guidance of our fun and experienced instructors. From Bigger Beats Rock Camp (ages 5-7), Jr. Rock Camp (ages 7-9), to Rock Camp (ages 8-15), we’ve got something for everyone…and every camp ends with a rock show so you can see just how much fun your kids have had over the week.
GO FORTH, ROCKSTARS!
We know that every kid is different, and we are here to support you in discovering new ways for them to love music. Feel free to ask your child’s teacher for personalized suggestions at the end of their next lesson, shoot us a note at theteam@backbeatrock.com or give us a call at 780-435-7772. We’d love to hear from you!