There are many parallels between how your child learns to talk and how she or he learns to sing. These processes happen organically. Although it takes several years for a child to move from babbling to saying words to speaking two-word sentences, she passes through all these stages in a seemingly effortless way; she seems to know how to teach herself these skills through imitation and practice.

At first many of her efforts are difficult to understand: "dog" may sound like "daw", for example, and grammatical errors are common. But gradually, by about the age of three or four, your child's speech becomes both intelligible and correct. 

It's important for parents to recognize that musical growth also occurs in stages. Children pass through a "music babble" stage in which their movements and sounds don't necessarily seem truly musical - they are off the beat and not quite in tune. Over time, through observation and imitation, your child gradually aligns her music expression with the on-beat and in-tune models she experiences. 

You, as the parent, instinctively translate your child's language attempts and offer a lot of support. Your child says "Ba," and you may ask, "Do you want a bottle?" You help shape your child's language experience through your interest and invovlement. But you may worry that you won't know how to recognize or suport emerging music behaviors.

It's simple! The best way to support musical growth is to engage in music activity. Listen to a variety of styles. Attend the free concerts at Millennium Park. Keep encouraging and celebrating your child's efforts to move and vocalize, even though it may take a while for you to see the connection between what he is doing and the music. Remember that a certain amount of physical maturation - and a lot of playful "practice" - is necessary before your child can learn to sing in tune and move with accurate rhythm. The more your child develops musically, the more fun and ease he'll have learning to play the piano, guitar, drums, sing or whatever else he chooses.

This blog is about how to become the best musician you can become - whether you are a parent nurturing a young child or an adult facilitating your own musical growth. We will answer frequently asked questions and cover practical topics that catapult the enthusiastic student into a life-long love of making music at the piano. 

Some topics that will be explored are: 

Early Childhood Music
How to create a musical child from birth?
What age is the best age to start piano lessons?

Suzuki Piano Lessons
What's so special about Suzuki Piano Lessons
Will my child learn to read if they study Suzuki Piano?

Skype Piano Lessons in your Home
What are the Pros & Cons
How does it work?

Piano Technique & Musicality
The Athletic side of creating great music at the piano. 
10 Easy Exercises you can do in 5 min to improve your Piano Playing.
How do I play music that speaks to people

Performance and Preparation
How to prepare for your first performance.
How to have the best piano performing experience of your life.
How to get your first gig.

Music and Public Speaking
How your understanding of music can help you in public speaking.
Musical Coaching for Public Speakers


Please feel free to suggest additional topics that you believe would be helpful.