Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do: How to Spark a Musical Passion in Your Grandchildren

I am passionate about music—listening to it, playing it on my guitar, and sharing it with others. I love a wide taste in music from R&B to seventies soft rock, hip hop to Americana, and jazz to alternative rock. Music is visceral for me. And since my husband passed away, it has been my constant companion throughout the day.

What does this have to do with being a grandparent? Everything. Sharing your love of music with grandchildren can introduce them to singing, dancing, listening, and playing an instrument. 

You don’t have to be a musician or singer to appreciate music. And you don’t have to just play kid’s music to entertain a child. Share your favorite tunes—new and old. Children learn musical tastes by listening to their parents’ music which were in turn discovered thanks to you. Share what you love. Learn the songs they know. Enjoy music together.

How can you introduce music to your grandchildren? 

Turn on your favorite radio station when they are in the car, put on some vinyl records or a CD of your favorite artist when they visit, and sing songs together—even if you can’t carry a tune. 

When my grand twins were infants, I introduced them to Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Justin Timberlake, and Raffi. They discovered their ability to dance before they even sat up unsupported. Music spoke to them. At three, they dance and sing to all genres of music.

Amma Stephanie shared how she sings with her grandchildren. “There’s a lot of off-key singing on my part! And then of course some dancing to go with,” she said.  “One of my favorites [songs] is L.O.V.E. with hand movements to spell out the word.”

How can you introduce musical instruments at a young age?

Take your grandkids to free community concerts, and if you play an instrument, perform for them. Go to a music store to visit different instruments and test them out.

My mom’s side of the family is very musical. My grandma had a piano in her living room that my daughters would “play” when they visited. When my grandchildren come to visit, they now “play” that nearly 100-year-old piano in my living room.

Nana Ann and BawBaw Noel introduced their five granddaughters to the symphony when they were young. The National Symphony Orchestra performed a series of monthly children’s programs at the Kennedy Center and had a meet-the-instrument event before each program.  Three of the granddaughters became talented musicians. One still plays piano, another played trumpet in her high school jazz band, and the other was first chair clarinet in her high school orchestra, a member of the marching band, and a paid member of the pep band in college. All five sing.

My oldest in particular grew up playing the piano, singing in choirs, starting our church’s praise band as a teenager, singing solos, and performing in musicals. She still performs at church and instilled the love of music in her kids.

If you play an instrument—even one that is old and dusty from lack of playing—share it with your grandchild. I let my oldest grandson explore my guitar when he was a toddler. He played it like a percussion instrument and went on to become a drummer at the age of three. He plans to join the school band in two years.

For his ninth birthday, I purchased my oldest grandson a turntable and sent him a variety of records from my husband’s collection to let him learn about his Grandpa Phil, an avid music lover, who passed away in 2021. My hope is that the eclectic variety of music—Dixieland jazz, Motown, and folk music--will introduce him to a variety of percussion styles that he can incorporate into his drumming.

How can you create beautiful music together?

Pop Matt, lead singer and guitarist for the Americana band Old Part of Town, loves to play and sing for his grandchildren. “What motivates me is opening them up to music and the joy of not only listening to it but creating it.” 

Creating music with a child brings a lot of joy. Whether you are singing along with Cocomelon on TV like Grandma Debbie, taking your three grandsons to an outdoor Yacht Rock concert like DeeDee Diane, or creating silly songs to get the grandkids into music like Pop Matt, creating music together is a fun and inspiring experience. It’s good for their development and fun for the whole family. So don’t just sit there, find some music to share.

Next month

Next month we will look at sharing books with your grandchildren. All four of my grandchildren love books—those purchased and those written and illustrated by me. Share with me how you inspire your grandchildren to read. You might become a grandparent influencer. Thank you for reading my blog.