If you play musical instruments with your children, when, and what do you play?

[Gameboy]

Sounds a bit daft I know, but I'd really like to get into the habit of playing music with my son (8) who is learning the guitar, but I'm not sure how to go about it!

I play a few instruments well enough to play along with him, but just wondered...

• should I play his 'school' music with him to practice?
• should I try to find some different 'fun' books
• should I just play 'as & when', or should we have a regular time/ days?
• is there anyway I can get DS2 (5) involved too?

When I was at school we used to use a series called 'Time and Tune' which was a good weekly themed series of tunes and stories for this age group I think? Is there anything similar around these days?

Any musical families out there? Please tell me what you do??

Hehe I love stuff like that too. You should make the most of it whilst they are still young enough not to be embarrassed. I wouldn't have a set time because you don't want it to end up as a routine, I would say different books are fine, maybe you could do one school song and then a fun song...lastly I would give DS2 a triangle or tamborine or microphone hehe and let her join in by keeping the rythmn or singing.

Have fun

My kids both play instruments - the younger is really quite talented, but the older one only practises if I nag her.

However, they love to sing and play within the family. We have a recorder trio with my dh on the biscuit tin or anything he can get his hands on including pieces of wood! I go to the library and order trio music for us all to play and it is real fun. Additionally, they do karaoke and we have sing songs in front of the fire - the ps2 singstars are fantastic.

Sometimes they play their main instruments together, but generally it develops into a recorder session as we have descant, treble and tenor.

I used to play clarinet and piano, but I get cold playing the piano in the hall and my clarinet isn't in the right key for anything, so we stick to our recorders. It is great fun and I would recommend it - my younger dd gets so excited and insists on playing solos on the treble and singing at the top of her voice. It is such a pleasure. I am sure others would think us totally mad, but it is a time I will treasure for ever.

How old are your kids figroll?

Also what sort of trio music do you get - is it child-oriented or just standard classic recorder trios etc?
I hadn't thought of music from the library - that's a good idea!

They are a bit older than yours - 15 and 12, but we have been doing this for years. We do all sorts of playing but before Christmas I got some German and British carols out of the library and they were really lovely. My younger daughter is extremely enthusiastic about most things and gets quite carried away. She starts off playing the recorder and ends up singing at the top of her voice! Very funny.

I know that you can get duet books for younger children on the recorder - have a look at the music room and buy yourself a treble recorder! Alternatively, try the forums at the ABRSM - they are fabulous and there are lots of really helpful people there. I hope this helps.

Thanks Figroll! Am logged into MusicRoom as we speak...