Suggestions for stimulating music to listen to?

[Looseleaf]

I know a random place to ask but was hoping someone with musical talent (Which I lack) could recommend anything for a music obsessed child?

Ds likes songs with interesting lyrics and has outgrown our 'children's music' / nursery rhymes. I have 2 CDs from a singing teacher that are a great success and some interesting dinosaur songs with the right ie more grownup vocab he takes to but desperate for anything else that will challenge him.

Thanks if anyone has inspiration as I love his day to be interesting and music helps me get things done!!

[TeaandHobnobs]

Try some songs by There Might Be Giants: , , ... all from an album called "Here comes science" - fun songs and educational too.

[Looseleaf]

Fantastic- I will try. Thank you very much!

[Looseleaf]

These recommendations are lovely Teaandhobnobs and so thoughtful to share the fantastic links. These are so helpful.

(I even like your choice of biscuit too ??)

[FoamyOne]

My children like some world music (Putamayo make this very accessible), Elizabeth Mitchell (still children's music, but folky and very well done), lots of folk music in general, but also older groups like the Beatles, the Kinks, Crosby, Stills and Nash. They quite like Emilie Sandé and Jack Johnston and Pink Martinj just now (ie fairly melodic, reasonably upbeat stuff). TBH they are also happy with lots of children's music, e.g. Raffi, but I can't stand it any longer, so we've had to look for things that we can all enjoy. What do you like to listen to?

[dotty2]

If he is up to 6 or 7 or so, he might like Justine Clarke - she's Australian and a friend in Oz sent me loads of her CDs. Good, quirky topics like painting a picture (inc dinosaurs!).

[Looseleaf]

I'm afraid I'm no good as barely listen to any music at all! But am enjoying my journey of discovery with DS.
He's wide awake as barely sleeps so we're listening to some of these ideas. He's singing along so happily to Justine Clarke Watermelon!
He's 3.5 but usually gravitates to older interests and our eldest is 8.

[Looseleaf]

You've all been very generous as we don't belong in this topic but I thought you'd have the best ideas. I'm thrilled as been stuck for weeks and months so thank you

[GeorgeHerbert]

If you want to try some classical music what about 'Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra' (Benjamin Britten) or Carnival of the Animals (San Sans)

[timetosmile]

mr. numberfun..no link, sorry!...has some great CDs that my 3DCs have enjoyed, very humerous and also teaches maths concepts.
and remember that (very old) Disney 'Fantasia' movie with all the classical music, Sorcerer's Apprentice etc..I used to love that and I suspect it is partly responsible for my lifelong love of orchestral music.

[feetheart]

My DC loved Alphabet Zoo by Ralph McTell. A song about an animal for every letter of the alphabet.
I still find 'Impala, impala, impala' going through my head every now and then and they are now 12 and 9 :)
Folk music can be great for interesting lyrics and story-telling and I second the Putamayo suggestion.

Mine tended to listen to all sorts as I got bored of the children's stuff very early on :)
How about Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, Squeeze and older Disney stuff like Jungle Book and Aristocats can be great too.
DS did get very into Ian Dury at 3, particularly 'Hit me with your Rhythm Stick'. Cue lots of raised eyebrows when he used to sit in the supermarket trolley singing 'Hit me, hit me' loudly

[Hakluyt]

There Might be Giants are brilliant. And have classical music playing in the background all the time. Classic FM has a really good, not too difficult variety.

[drummersmum]

When DS was 2/3 he was obsessed with Menuhin's guide to the orchestra and listened to it over and over again:
<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/Instruments-Orchestra-Yehudi-Menuhin/dp/B0000241EF?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.co.uk/Instruments-Orchestra-Yehudi-Menuhin/dp/B0000241EF?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Au79]

Why not look into starting him in Suzuki violin soon? You will both learn tons together.

[Ferguson]

Or get a full size keyboard (if you haven't already got one for older children) and a children's 'teach yourself tutor book'. Our DS started playing at two, and was competent by five.

[Sgtmajormummy]

I second Classic FM. The Golden Oldies come out regularly and the pieces are short enough for kids' attention span. I alternate with Radio 2 for pop songs that have stood the test of time.

[drummersmum]

The comercials in classic FM bother me. We have opted for radio 3.