DS10 is writing music. He doesn't know how to play and instrument but enjoys singing. This seems a bit unrealistic but it's cool he is trying. He watched a video on how music work and now he is drawing the lines and notes for three different instruments. He amazes me how he just jumps in a does something like this.

He wants to learn electric giutar but I not sure when we will be able to afford that.

I have no musical background. Any suggestions. I usually try to support interest with books or internet. OR should I do nothing?

cricket3- He says he is only interested in learning to play the electric guitar but this might need to wait a while. He likes rock music - kids bop and the beetles.

We have a penny whistle and a recorder. The kids are good at those with a few songs.

I'll try to find some music paper. He has been very patient to draw all the lines.

We are not really wanting to change schools. That would only occur with a job relocation.

Our school has a music program but I'll need to check more about that next year.

Hi, onthegomom--

You can get free printable music manuscript online; here are a couple, but there are lots and lots of sizes available on different sites:

http://www.antonjazz.com/musicpaper.html

http://people.virginia.edu/~pdr4h/musicpaper/widerule.pdf

mm

Garage band is a great app, if you have an apple product. I think it was even free. Both DD6 and DD8 like to fiddle around with song arrangements (programming a drum and horn line in, and then recording themselves singing or rapping along, for instance), and I use it to play guitar and drum lines while I play piano along. It took some time to figure out, though, and you don't have complete freedom to make the different instruments do exactly what you want them to. I think if you have a piano or electric guitar you can hook up to the computer and record your music.

DD6 simply jots down songs in a composition book as well. She'll play them on the piano and then figure out how to write them as music. It's a great brain activity!

Thanks for that link minniemarx!

My dd7 recently composed her own music - drew the staff and notes herself. She has taken several years of Kindermusik which we loved.

I really want a Apple Computer - Oh the possibilities! DS10 went to a afternoon class at the library and did something like garage band. Any way they put together indivual Cds with a mix of music.

He has been working so hard on this music for days and has many pages of words and music. I hope he doesn't get dissappointed. I hate to see such passion squashed. I wonder how close it is to making sense?

Noteflight might be worth looking into for kids who are into composition. There is a free online version and a subscription version.

This looks EXACTLY like what DS needs. Thank you! I will show him tomorrow.

I showed DS10 and WOW is he into that composing web site. Bonus is the music with the words he can sing along. Thank you. I have to keep this kid busy and stimulated.

I just have to comment again.

My DD8 got on the program. Wow! She made a song that sound like a real beautiful song. I'm not musical so I'm not a great judge but, it was shocking. She has been taking flute for a year. Maybe that helped her. I'm so excited about all this. The kids are having a great time!

Thank you again!

I'm so glad your kids are enjoying it!

http://www.noteflight.com

I'm just giving this another bump because I think other kids here might enjoy this.

Also, I just want to share a bit. My DS11 has been composing on this program almost daily for over a month. He is writing notes for 5 different instruments. I'm not sure he is actually composing something that could be played. I think his composing and listening is an interesting way to self teach/learn.

I wish he would let me show it to someone who knows about music. I have given him a few thoughts like, "have you ever thought about what you like about the music you listen to?" It seems it's a balance of variety and repetion. He seemed to like me saying this.

I'm not musical. I have made listening and singing to music a part of our lives which has been wonderful.

I find my kids are interesting.

Anyone musical out there care to comment.

Thanks for the bump!

I saw the thread before, but somehow missed the link.