Yvonne Said:

Hi! Does anyone have any advice on teaching guitar/music theory to children with Down Syndrome?

We Answered:

Make things visual. For example, instead explaining the structure of a scale as half + whole tones, show her directly on the fretboard what you mean. Place your finger on a G, for example, and show her that A is 2 half tones up by counting up the string and showing her.

It is also helpful to have a keyboard handy. Use a Vis-a-Vis (a wet erase marker) and write the names of the notes on the white keys. To show her what a flat/sharp is, for example Csharp, place your finger on the note, then move it UP to a the next black key, do the same for flats.

You can also use the keyboard to explain the tonal relations of B+C and E+F.

If you really wanted to put some effort into it, get four different colors of tape, nail polish, ect. Assign each finger on the left hand a different color. When using chord, tab, or traditional staff, color the note/finger position with the corresponding color.

Also with color, make good use of the dots on the fretboard. Make sure she understands that each dot shows the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th frets. You could also color code these on her guitar itself (with the tape, lol) and use it for chord diagrams.

Writing the number of the dotted frets on masking tape and placing them on the top of the fretboard (when held) will also help until she developes muscle memory.

Flash card with pictures (of the hand in position for chords) will help tremendously. You will have to make your own as you can't buy them. Also, picture chord-dictionaries will be helpful.

If I can give you anymore ideas, feel free to message me.

Ella Said:

At what age is ideal to start teaching a child music?

We Answered:

4/5 is preferable.

Don't pressure her into playing every night, but do encourage her to do bit by bit. Also, get a decent piano book (Kenneth Baker ones are brilliant) and help her learn through that when she isn't getting help from a music teacher.

Also, I think 3 instruments may be a little overwhelming for her, try with just one and see how she gets on.

Alvin Said:

What is the best way to teach children music?

We Answered:

http://www.k12schoolsupplies.net/Music-M…

is wonderful for prek music instruction. It might help you get your group heading in the right direction.

Sue Said:

What is the best age to start teaching children / babies music and piano?

We Answered:

3 - 4

Tammy Said:

How to teach my children music at home?

We Answered:

My mum started me off on the Bastien piano books (I think it was Piano for the Very Young) when I was about 2 1/2. They introduced concepts in a really good way, lots of fun, stuff to colour in and a very enjoyable way to learn. I presume they're still available - don't really know!

Karen Said:

Is J.S. Bach's approach to teaching his children music held in high regard with modern pedagogues?

We Answered:

I think it is. I don't know much about it, but there's a very famous quote from CPE about his father's refusal to teach from "the dry species of Fux." I think Bach, recommended beginning with instruction in four-voice writing BEFORE two-voice writing. This is evidence of some sort of harmonic thinking underlying his contrapuntal approach.

Brent Said:

Teaching music to children 1 to 5 years of age?

We Answered:

*These little ones learn best through active, hands-on instruction. There's a lot of music out there for kids this age. Look into Greg & Steve, Jack Hartman, Lori Berkner, Ella Jenkins, and The Learning Station. They lend themselves naturally to dancing, marching, and other movement activities that young children adore.
*Also, think about using activities such as listening to different types/tempos and encouraging the children to draw how that sounds. You can model it with markers on a white board to give them ideas, but the activity is open-ended so there is no right or wrong.
*Also, make simple musical instruments such as drums or kazoos. And you can use simple rhythm instruments such as rhythm sticks. There are some cute songs that call for the kids to imitate a simple rhythm tapped out with rhythm sticks.
*And you can teach them simple songs by singing one line at a time and letting them repeat after you. Right now we're learning Take Me Out to the Ballgame to sing for our parents at a picnic, and the kids LOVE it! They ask for it every day!

Young children and music and movement go together quite naturally, so I'm sure you'll find this easy and fun once you get into it! Amazon.com is a good source for children's CD's, and whatever program you are working for will probably have some available for you to use. They probably also have a collection of rhythm instruments available. Email me if you need suggestions for CD's to purchase.