Learning music with families and partners: a useful guide
Playing with your partner, your children or your parents is one of the best reasons to learn. That's how classes are organized, tools are chosen to combine and a regular at home be built.
Learning family or partnership music works very well when each has his or her own space to advance and there's a shared moment to play together. The most useful formula is a shared class if they go to a similar level, or individual classes followed with the same teacher if not, plus a short family essay every week.
Here we explain how to select class format, what tools they best combination, how to manage different levels without competition and how to put together a first project together.
To sum up
- Shared class if they go to a similar level and individual classes followed if levels or instruments are different.
- Guitar and singing, piano and voice, or guitar and drawer are combinations that sound good from the start.
- Separates individual practice from family essay and give them their own time.
- A couple, choosing different instruments prevents comparisons and allows them to play together earlier.
- A date project, as a song for the ninth, links everyone around a goal.
Shared class or separate class
| Format | Ventajas | When appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Common class, same instrument | They learn together, they are motivated and practice the same at home. | Couples or brothers that start at the same time and at a similar rate. |
| Small group, different instruments | From the start they sound as a little tipple. | families with a common goal, as they play songs together. |
| Individual classes followed | Each person advances at his or her best with his or her own faith and his or her own day. | A very different level, for instance a beginner and an experienced daughter. |
| Mixto | Individual class and, from time to time, a joint assembly session. | When they want personal technique and they also play together. |
With home classes, planning classes after each other is especially useful, as the teacher attends to several at the same visit. If you doubt between one format and another, read [individual or group music classes]](/blog/clases-de-musica-individuales-o-grupales).
Different levels in the same house
A child can memorize a melody before his father and his father can understand his theory before his child. That doesn't have to be a problem:
- No one fixes anyone, That's what's up with his teacher.
- Each has his or her share: The teacher can write arrangements where the most advanced plays the melody and the beginner carries a simple accompaniment.
- The progress of each and every person is welcomed. without comparing them.
- He who goes forward goes with him but doesn't teach class: Playing together's what's most important.
When parents and children learn at the same time, the child sees that the adult also gets wrong, practised and improved. That example weighs more than any sermon about constancy.
Tools that combine well
| Combination | Why does that work? | Repertoire idea |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar and singing | The guitar goes with few chords and the voice goes with the melody. | Baladas, boleros, Latin American music. |
| Piano and singing | The piano holds harmony and leaves his voice at his front. | Popular songs, carols, church music. |
| Piano with four hands | Two people in the same instrument with parts with different difficulties. | I have four-hand arrangements for beginners. |
| Guitar and percussion | The drawer or seatballs mark their pulse and give them energy. | Cumbia, rumba, acoustic pop. |
| Tipple and guitar | They are the basis of Colombian Andean music. | Barbecues and corridors. |
| Piano and violin | A classic combination with an enormous repertoire. | Fan and piano short pieces. |
For the little ones of the house, the [percussion]](/clases/percusion) It's a natural entrance door: it allows them to play with adults from the first day with a pulse and for those who seek the most versatile instrument to accompany [acoustic guitar]](/clases/guitarra-acustica) and the [piano]](/clases/piano) They're the most widely used.
A functioning at home
The key is to separate two moments: the individual practice, with each person working his or her own, and the shared essay, where they play together.
- Retirement for the instrument: If there's only one piano, a schedule glued to the refrigerator prevents discussions.
- Headphones: with a digital piano or an electrical guitar, one practice without interrupting the conversation or tasks of others.
- Fixed family test: from 20 to 30 minutes a week, for example after lunch Sunday.
- A music corner: attries, chairs and instrument ready to get started will be easy.
- Mini concerts: from time to time, play for grandparents by video call or for visits.
The family essay does not replace individual practice and complements it. Each person needs his or her own time to advance his or her leave with his or her faith.
Couples: Learning without competition
Learning with your partner can be a precious plan or a source of scuba. Some advice to be first:
- Choose different tools That they combine, as guitar and singing. Thus there's no direct comparison and they can play together sooner.
- Respect each other's rhythm: One can practice daily and the other twice a week, and that's okay.
- Don't teach at home: If the other person doesn't ask, don't run.
- Have a common project: A song for his anniversary, for his friends' marriage or just to play a Friday night.
- Be the public of each other: listening with care to what your partner's learned is also part of the plan.
If one of them already plays, they can come with while the other learns, but the classes with a teacher are still important to both.
First project: A song for the ninth
In Colombia, December's the perfect excuse for family play. A viler such as "Tucaina," "My Fairy Burritus" or "The Fish in the River" has few chords, everyone knows and supports instruments at all levels. Thus, we will have:
- Choose the song with his teacher, in a comfortable tone for his voices.
- They distribute roles by level: piano or flute melody, guitar chords, a pounding with seatballs or panda and voices for all.
- Test by parts: each practice his own during the week.
- Gather up. first slow and then at his hour.
- Reg him up at 9: 00. without pressure: The idea is to enjoy and have a perfect concert.
Frequently asked questions
How old can children have class with their parents?
Depending on the format. The youngest can participate in musical initiation activities accompanied by an adult and for a shared instrument class, the ideal thing is that the child will have been instructed and focused for a while. Teacher can guide you about what format it suits.
Can the same teacher teach the whole family?
Yes, if you teach the instruments you chose. Some teachers conduct more than one instrument, for example piano and singing or guitar and tiple. Otherwise, they can each have their teacher and come together from time to time to assemble.
What if one of us goes a lot faster?
It's normal. It's solved with arrangements with each with a share at its level and avoiding comparisons. The important thing is that you both enjoy playing together.
Can we have virtual family classes?
That's right. We have to place the camera so that the teacher sees them all, or turn to them. To play as a whole a good microphone that will capture the sound of the whole group.
How do we get our grandparents involved?
They can join the family essay singing with minor percussion or learning their own instrument. If you want to give them that push, read how [give music classes to Dad, Mother or grandparents]](/blog/clases-de-musica-como-regalo-para-papa-mama-o-abuelos).