Jun 18 2008
An Experiment with Music
On a whim I bought my kids a guitar. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Gus loves music and his sister had been asking for a guitar for ages (usually for my electric antique, and there’s no way she’s getting that one). They have a slew of other instruments, including an electric drum machine. Gus likes that one quite a bit, but it’s hard to play as he doesn’t hit the pads hard enough with the sticks. I have trouble with it myself, so who can blame him?
I think it’s important to give them both, but Gus in particular, the opportunity to see if they ‘connect’ with different things: sports, instruments, to see what their niche might one day be. I also know that music has been connected in so many ways with brain development, how could I not expose them to as much as I can?
Choosing the instrument was a challenge. It had to be something they ‘d both possibly be interested in, something that was not offensive to Gus’s ears and something they could realistically play without getting overly frustrated. I don’t play anything (including that electric guitar, so I’m useless right now, but I learn things pretty fast) so I’m not much help to them.
Gus was very excited when he saw their gift. He’d been asleep on the bus and went straight to his room, a little grumpy. The guitar perked him right up.
I’ll have more on this ‘experiment’ and how he does with playing. Right now he’s got an Elvis-stance going. I’ll also be posting more about music and brain activity as I research it, so stay tuned. Pun intended!
If anyone knows of tutorials, software or books that might be of use, I’d love to hear about them!
