Music Education is near and dear to my heart. I used to run a full piano studio, and when people found out, they would almost always say, regretfully, “I wish I hadn’t quit piano.” There are so many parallels between teaching private piano lessons and homeschool music education!
My Background
When I started teaching piano, I decided that I would be the type of piano teacher that I had growing up. No matter that I was in the pressure cooker, competitive environment of the DC area. I knew it well for I had grown up in it.
I refused to measure my success in the number of competitions won. Rather, I started by defining my goals: to teach kids the language of music so that it could become a means of self-expression for the rest of their lives.
This is a general Charlotte Mason quote but speaks to the subject of music: “the business of education is with us all our lives…we must always go on increasing our knowledge…prizes and places, praise, blame and punishment, are unnecessary in so far as they are used to secure ardent interest and eager work.” (from Charlotte Mason, Volume 6, Chapter 3, Sections 2 & 3)
And, quick boast here: I still hear from graduated piano students who bring their piano books to college, who plan to major or minor in music, and, of course, that one superstar who is now a freelancing music director in NYC.
Well, mission accomplished: completely unprompted, my 11-year old found a book of Christmas music. He picked out a song, learned it, memorized it, and happily performs it for all visitors.
But HOW to homeschool music?
- Go at the student’s pace. There is no “behind.”
- Don’t compare. Children are unique born persons.
- Don’t push competitions unless they want them.
- Once they are able to read music, follow their interests.
- Popular music they heard on the radio? Yes!
- Playing simplified versions of movie music? Absolutely.
- Serving in the church by learning hymns? 100%
- [Pop music and hymns are harder than they look! Best for the late intermediate level]
Lastly, this Charlotte Mason quote also helps me: “Self-education is the only possible education.” In our homeschool, I like to present a wide feast, keeping equal focus on Western and non-Western music. We listen, read composer biographies, learn music history, and sing folk songs.
Interested in curricula that integrates music into world studies? Check out my shop!