Teach Your Children To Love Music

She’s a little munchkin of a child, her hair in baby ringlets, doing her best to move her feet in time to the drumbeat.  Mom and mom’s friends are smiling, watching and encouraging as they move to the tune themselves.

So much is being said here without a word: “Music is fun.” “Express yourself” and, most important, “You are part of our happy group.”  

It’s a wonderful thing, introducing kids to music. It’s the only truly universal language.  They should learn it. 

Many of our songwriting friends and acquaintances recognize this. Bruce Springsteen is one of those parents that gets kids on the dance floor, often taking snapshots of their joy at the experience.  My husband, Joe, makes music on piano with our son, Jake, at least 20 minutes a day. My friend, Laura, takes her daughters to singing lessons and live music.

Sure, not everyone can hire a band, or a singing coach, or teach how to play an instrument.  It doesn’t matter.  It’s really all about the exposure.  If you have a child in your life, you can help spark a life-long passion, now, long before they pronounce things you like as “old” or “so last century”.  

One local singer-songwriter likes to tell his audience how he was encouraged by his father to listen to one particular artist from the 60s over and over again.  Eventually, it clicked with him how good this artist was.  He is now married to another singer-songwriter and they both like that artist so much that they named their first child after him.  Just listening to that vinyl record going round and round influenced many lives. 

A writer for The New York Times a few years ago wrote an amusing article about how he sought and bought a Ramones t-shirt for his infant son in hopes that they could listen together someday.  I hope they did. 

But let’s go back to that munchkin. She’s been having fun, hearing live music and hanging around with family and friends.  What better way for a child to spend a lazy summer evening?  We are so lucky to live in an area where there are a few places where kids can be with their parents (or aunt or uncle) and hear a live band in a nice atmosphere (i.e., non-dive bar).  I know we love to see kids come hear our band.* Sometimes we lend shakers to them to play along.  

Whether it’s to see us or another group, you’ll find the kids will get into the groove.  Below are a couple of places that are kid friendly and have live music this week.

Where else is a kid-friendly live music opportunity in East Hampton?  Tell me in the comments.

Sunday, early sunset, Music, warm sand, sunset, calm waters, and great food (kids menu too!)

Tuesday, sunset, Jim Turner at on the Beach,
music, bonfire, and refreshments

Disclosure:  PJ is a member of the local band, Joe Delia & Thieves