How, why and when to introduce children to classical music

Why is it so important to teach a child to listen to classical music, what exactly should be the right classic and how not to make a mistake with the choice - this is told by the mother, journalist and press attaché of the Perm Opera and ballet them. P. I. Tchaikovsky Irina Korneevskaya. To make it even easier for you, you will find here a list of 100 classics that a child can play from infancy.

We are flooded with information: without exaggeration, in order to survive, a modern person needs to be able to navigate in an avalanche of various data, choose the right one and, most importantly, filter out garbage without wasting attention and time on it. And if you yourself somehow learned this in 25-35 years, formed preferences (your “news diet”), then becoming a parent, you suddenly realize that now you need to do all this work again. That is, completely anew, literally from scratch. To protect a new person in this world from the superfluous and surround him with value from birth until he tells you "I know better myself."

Numerous methods of early development encourage new parents to start developing all the senses of your baby as early as possible and intensively, otherwise “it will be too late”. The parent should get rid of such aggressive calls to immediately develop the child as informational garbage, but one should not rush to the other extreme.

For the next decade and a half, you are the main example for your child of how to live, what to value, what to avoid

Throwing him into the abyss of information without filtering this flow is irresponsible. The task of a parent is to create a beneficial environment for development. Offer material and observe whether the child accepts it or not.

One of the child's senses is hearing. Every sound of the surrounding world is new for him, it is still far from the perception of music. The first months after birth are very difficult for the baby. It is known that a newborn perceives the world as a soup. He feels himself and everything around him as a whole, he does not yet know what “I” is:

“The baby still does not distinguish between what his senses tell him about the environment, and what about his body. For an infant, the environment and his body are one and the same. What happens outside also happens in his body. And what his body feels, feels everything and everything. The whole world is bored, the whole world is hungry, the world is warm, damp, or the world is tired. Everything is one single olfactory-color-sound impression.

From the book “Naughty? So it's evolving! Hetty Vandereyt, Frans Ploy

Personally, I am skeptical about the advice to turn on classical music to a baby of the first six months of life. In my opinion, this is simply of little use. Moreover, up to about six months, infants do not have selective attention, the various sounds of the baby are shocking, as they merge. Due to the peculiarities of hearing, the world of infants very easily turns into a crazy cacophony.

If you still want to include music for your baby from birth, make a choice in favor of lullabies (and works similar to them) in orchestral processing. Well, and sing lullabies yourself. Here the baby has both his own favorite voice and music.

In infancy, the child needs to be shown the nature of sound production. The rattle makes noise, the bell rings. Pipe, xylophone, drum - the basic set of a musician in diapers.

So, we rattle on the rattles, we knock on the drum, we fall asleep to the lullabies. It's time to open the treasure chest for the kid. At your disposal are several centuries of music created by mankind. There are plenty to choose from!

10 records to listen to with children

But does the genre and era of the music you listen to matter? Rock or Classic? Ethno or electronic music? Music, which is popularly called "classical", has a more complex musical structure. Researchers believe that it is this "complexity" of academic music that affects the development of brain regions responsible for solving spatial problems. This certainly does not mean that other music is useless. Never forget that the centuries-old musical heritage of mankind is not limited to European academic music.

As for the repertoire of classical works for a child, the advantage is that previous generations made a qualitative selection for us

That is, bad samples simply would not be preserved in the memory of mankind for hundreds (or even tens) of years. It remains to select something that will not frighten the baby with harshness, loudness, extreme registers. When choosing music for a child, I would also recommend avoiding all sorts of "adapted" versions. For example, when a synthesizer xylophone sounds instead of a string quartet. For some reason, it seems to some that a child will like such a cheap fake more than the rich warm timbres of live instruments or will be more “understandable”.

Do not be afraid to offer your child the originals, thinking that he will not understand them. Art does not need adaptations

When it comes to choosing composers and works for children to listen to, the first thought that comes to mind is that the Viennese classics and romantics are most suitable for these purposes. Their music seems to many to be more understandable compared to, for example, the 20th century, which not every adult will understand. In 1993, there was even a theory about the "Mozart effect": allegedly listening to his great music from the cradle helps to grow a genius. Later, at 1999th, this theory was refuted.

In what atmosphere Mozart, Beethoven and Paganini grew up

In my opinion, accessible works can be found in almost all eras. And I will say even more, the way of getting acquainted with music by chronology, which will be convenient for many adults, is completely optional in the case of children. The child cognizes the reality that surrounds him - such as it is. For example, in your opinion, a child needs to first learn the primary colors: red, yellow and blue, and only then move on to the secondary ones - orange, green, and so on. It is quite possible that the child will turn his attention first to purple, then to black, and at first he will not remember red at all. And this "inconsistency" will not prevent him from learning all the colors over time and will not negatively affect his understanding of the color palette.

So, if we believe that it is necessary to select works for the baby's music library not according to chronology, then what are the main criteria?

1. Genre and line-up of performers

Let me remind you of the imperfection of the baby's sense organs - the ears in particular. The works performed by a large symphony orchestra represent a terrible noise for the baby. He is unable to hear something in this. And brass instruments, percussion and will make the baby shudder at all. First, choose the chamber composition of the orchestra; ensembles - quartets, duets; works for piano or other solo instruments with piano accompaniment.

Both major musical forms and serious genres should be postponed to the future. The kid is unlikely to appreciate symphonies, oratorios, masses and other operas. It is worth making a choice in favor of not too long pieces or excerpts of large works that are suitable according to our parameters.

2. Emotional coloring of the work

This item is closely related to the previous one. Because a serious thought and a powerful emotional message are embedded to a greater extent in large works. A child is unlikely to be able to empathize with such charged music - he does not have the necessary life experience and simply his brain has not yet matured to perceive such complex information. This is too strong an effect on the child, which should be avoided.

3. Registers, dynamics

This item is related to the previous one. Because a serious thought and a powerful emotional message embedded in large works, as a rule, are achieved using stronger means: sounding in different registers and using expressive dynamics. Extreme registers (very low and very high sounds) and contrasting dynamics (fortissimo, especially sudden, after the piano) are too harsh sounding, it is difficult for small ears to perceive and can simply frighten a child.

4. Child's reaction to music

The slightest displeasure of the child in response to music should be a signal for you to stop listening to this piece. No need to try to "listen out", even if there is very little left. We are strongly against violence against a small person, even in this manifestation.

Music in your family: the influence of parents on the formation of a child's musical taste

You don't need to convince your child of how useful and pleasant it is to listen to the classics, you need to enjoy it yourself. All experienced parents have long known that a child perceives not so much our words as our example. If a parent says one thing and does another, then the child will draw a conclusion from actions, not words. If a mother methodically turns on a Beethoven child according to the schedule, and then cheerfully cleans up to the hits of the Brilliant group, then the child is unlikely to conclude that the classics are good, and pop is rubbish. In the first years of life, you are more than ever able to influence the formation of the tastes of the baby.

If you are still expecting a baby, it means that you have some wonderful months ahead of you when you can devote maximum time to yourself. Then there will be a long period when you do not belong to yourself, you are just a life support device for your helpless baby at first.

While the child is inside you, your emotional state is extremely important for him, so a deeper acquaintance with the classics is an ideal find for you

So, how to start understanding and loving academic music? Fortunately, modernity allows us to access all the necessary information in order to pump a skill. The main thing is to gradually get acquainted with new works and, if possible, go to concerts. You can choose a suitable method for yourself: get acquainted with the iconic works of the most famous composers in chronology or choose authors of the early twentieth century who are closer to us in time and spirit. Some advise to give yourself entirely to the power of emotions and "listen with your heart", correlating music with your emotions and moods. Those who like a solid approach may like to study music with a deep dive into theory. Regulars of social events can go to symphony concerts, operas and ballets.

Whatever you choose, remember that any academic work requires more attention than a song by contemporary artists

Most likely, during the first listening, the work will seem complicated and incomprehensible to you. However, after several repetitions, you will begin to understand its logic, to hear individual topics. Keep listening and what seemed impossible to grasp will become close and understandable.

Making lists like "100 Books Everyone Should Read by Age 30" and "100 Best Pictures of All Time" is always a thankless task. Such a list looks, on the one hand, silly and banal, because some of the above mentioned set everyone on edge, and on the other hand, it does not evoke a response, because another half of the names do not tell you anything. Such "universal" lists are not about you or anyone else. This is a hodgepodge that turned out randomly.

Therefore, I will get out of this situation as follows: in our hundred compositions for the baby, I will try to include as many different composers as possible, so that you can appreciate the variety of music available to listeners who start from scratch - young children. You will be able to pay attention to composers whose music will attract you and later get acquainted with their other works on your own. A sort of family method of immersion in the classics. My selection of 100 works is at the link below.

It seems that this task of understanding academic music from scratch is overwhelming. But if you want the classics to play an important role in your child's life, you yourself must believe in music. Don't force your child or yourself to listen to classical music. This is not a job, but a whole world that will open up to you and become a source of wonderful strong emotions.

Cover image: iStockphoto / AGrigorjeva

Best age for learning to play the piano

Best age for learning to play the piano

Music affects both children and adults and plays an important role in the mental and physical development of children if started at an early age. Music is already present in the lives of children in infancy, in the form of lullabies or poems that you sing or play for them. But this is only the beginning of a journey that will open up many advantages for them in the future. The study of any musical instrument stimulates creativity and a sense of pleasure in social activities in children. When kids start learning to play the piano, they will have many hidden benefits that will affect their body, mind and soul. The lack of feeling of loneliness and complete instant relief from any depression are just two of the many benefits that a person receives from learning to play the piano.

• You may think that it is too early for your children to start playing the piano, but even if they can't learn to play, just being in class is good too. Listening to piano music can motivate them and expand their minds. This will give them a sense of happiness from socialization with other people.
• Various studies have shown that children who learn to play the piano from an early age show impressive results in logical reasoning and problem solving. Learning to play any instrument (especially a complex one like the piano) stimulates the development of their nervous system and leads to improved brain function. Therefore, such children tend to get good grades and show better results in mathematical and cognitive tests compared to others.
• Children who begin music education have fewer discipline problems than their classmates. Most of them strive to achieve results in everything they do, and thus they enter the chosen universities in the chosen specialty.
• Children who can play the piano on their own do not feel lonely and are able to spend time productively by themselves.

In addition, there are many other benefits that children receive from an early age in music. Let's talk about them in more detail.

The Casio A-800 digital piano in a natural oak case was released in a limited edition
for the 10th anniversary of the company in the Russian market, but everyone liked it so much that it has been produced for a year already

Like parents, you can give your child a lot:

• Make music a part of everyday life at home.
• Let children listen to different genres of music on different instruments. Take them to concerts or listen to the radio with them. Let them explore the magical world of music in a variety of ways.
• If one of you is a singer or musician, you can pass on the gift of music to your children.
• For preschoolers, make your own tool at home with jars, whisks, cups, etc. They will have lots of fun.
• Encouragement is a necessary part of learning to play the piano or other instrument for your children. Show interest and praise them for their progress.
• Be a role model for your child. If you don't know how to play the piano, study with your children to motivate them.

Because piano lessons offer so many developmental opportunities for children, it's never too early or too late to start learning to play. Why not give children the chance to develop and enrich their lives as soon as possible?

Estimate the right time to start studying

No one but you can better understand your children. Therefore, you need to evaluate for yourself whether it is time for your child to learn to play the piano or not. Just because you've seen a video of a four year old playing the piano doesn't mean you should start teaching your four year old (or younger). First introduce the child to the instrument, check if the child shows interest in it. At a social event, at a music store, or on TV, show your child the piano. Some children do not respond well to the normal learning structure and prefer to explore the instrument themselves. Introduce music, singing, dancing, and the like into your children's daily routine before you begin to prepare them for playing the piano.

Check readiness

Here we have outlined a few signs that your child is ready to learn to play the piano. Most children don't show these signs until age 5-8, so there's no need to rush.

• Interest in learning music: Motivation is a significant factor in assessing a child's readiness for piano lessons. Parents should spend time with their children to instill in them an interest in music and to see if they have a desire to play this instrument.
• Hand size: When starting piano lessons, make sure your child's hands and fingers fit comfortably on the keyboard. An acoustic grand piano may be too big for your little one, so it might be better to buy a small digital piano. Your child should be comfortable playing - this is the main part of learning.
• Finger Movements and Independence: Your child should understand finger movements and be able to use each of them independently. It is necessary to play the piano. You can test finger movements and how many fingers your child is using by letting him or her explore the instrument. A child who plays the piano with one finger may not yet be ready for lessons.

Learning from books

If you are planning to teach your child to play from books, wait until he is fluent in reading. This means that you have to wait until 7-8 years. If you prefer to learn by ear, you can start at 5-6 years old.

Education with other children

Even if your child starts school at age 8 or later, it's not too late.

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