Friday, September 18, 2009

...And All that Jazz...

Last night, my sister and I went to a jazz concert and saw Brian Culbertson. He is one talented, (pretty cute too) guy! I think if I saw him in concert every night, 5 nights a week, I'd get a great workout! It's hard to sit still watching him dance across the stage.

Music is and always has been like nectar to my soul. When I was younger, there was a huge restriction on the types of music we were allowed to listen to. It was either Gospel or contemporary Christian music. All other stuff, we were told, was considered "bad" or "sinful" music. Still there were times when we'd go over to our cousins who were "worldly" and they'd be listening to Earth, Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang...stuff like that. The problem with that was hanging around at the house and not coming back home with a song ringing in your head. I remember one time, my sister and I were in our room singing, "Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?" and although it was being sung quietly, it was enough to get my mom's attention. She asked, "What are you singing????" After the "look" we went back to learning to play the Old Rugged Cross on our chord organ instead.

One of the things I learned from my parents is that I wouldn't restrict my kids on music that they listened to. My ex was a musician and played music from jazz to R&B and Rock so the girls were around it and in fact, grew up on it. We taught them to appreciate good music so it wasn't uncommon to find them listening to the Beatles, the Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Franks and the Drifters, as they were growing up.

The tables have turned because now, although I have my favorite cds that are continually played, they have also put music on my iPod that they enjoy. It has been a way for me to appreciate their love for music but in a wonderful way, it reminds me of them. When I'm painting or cooking, it takes me to a place where I'm reminded of their uniqueness and joy for life and I'm revitalized.

Do you listen to the music that your kids enjoy?

How do you instill the love of music in your kids?

17 comments:

Sherry said...

I grew up Baptist (my dad), though my mom was Anglican. However, my dad played piano and he raised us with contemporary music as did my mother. You can imagine how confused I was when at Church it was preached about the "bad" kind of music and yet I was having it at home! Needless to say, the Baptist Church and I parted company when I was about 14.

Music and children..oh yes..I was talking about this on my blog when my son and I came home from our trip to the beach. He taught me so much about his music, I hear a lot of what my younger son listens to (though he's shocked when I know who it is!) and they are both into music from the 70s and 80s and are totally loving Beatles Rock Band!

I think music plays such a strong role in our lives...(I'm visualizing you and your sister quietly singing "Mr. Big Stuff!) and it has been proven that music helps students with Math.

I cannot imagine a world without music!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We enjoy all kinds of music in our home. When our kids were growing up I did listen to what the lyrics were saying to my children where we would discuss the morals of them. As parents we need to know what our kids are putting in their minds. Ya know, garbage in garbage out. God has given us good music from various venues to enjoy. We just have to depict if the lyrics are feeding our spirits in a manner pleasing to our God.

Now go put a tune on and dance your way through the weekend. God bless!!!

Vegas Linda Lou said...

"'Old Rugged Cross' on the chord organ..." Ha! We used to have a chord organ when we were kids. I totally forgot about that until just now.

I'm lucky--my kids are both singer-songwriters and have the same taste in music as I do. We like listening to Neil Young, Dylan, John Prine, and others, plus they turn me on to new artists.

Elle Bee said...

Oh Simone! I knew we were kindred spirits! I sing "Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?" to my son like 20 times a day. When I read that line it made me smile so big!
Elle

Buckeroomama said...

We play all sorts of music to ours kids from kiddie music to light rock to reggae to country to pop... In fact, when Josh was asked to bring in a recording of his favorite music to school last year, he chose to bring "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night (from The Big Chill's soundtrack)! He can actually sing along to the entire song. :)

Check out the kiddos' "concert" a couple of days ago here, heh:
http://buckeroomama.blogspot.com/2009/09/concert-time.html

Liz Mays said...

I don't think I listen to the same music as my kids for the most part.

When they were little, I introduced them to every kind of music I could think of.

Veronica Lee said...

My boys seem to enjoy the kind of music I listen to. Once, when Rodney was humming a few Carpenters' songs in his car pool, the driver said that his mom must be old judging by his choice of songs!

ethelmaepotter! said...

I am lucky in this respect that I married a musician. My children were never without music, and a wide variety at that: hubby likes country, bluegrass, and rock; I like showtunes, classical, and 60's stuff.
Both my children began in middle school band and continued band into their college years. Daughter eventually gave it up, due to a heavy schedule, but my son majored in music education and is now Band Director at a very prestigious school!

Julie D said...

My son gets me listening to Kanye and various other artists that I normally would not listen to. He, however, grew up learning the words to every Heart and Eagles song, so we're even!

Ina in Alaska said...

Now I have Mr. Big Stuff stuck in my mind all day! Son Craig and wife Amy give me awesome CDs with music they think I might enjoy which I transfer to my iTunes. I enjoy their picks! Also one of my girlfriends does the same. I love the Old School Kook & the Gang, Stevie Wonder and the lucious Marvin Gaye, Sade, and LOVE LOVE LOVE Seal..... have a super weekend xoxoxo

Ina in Alaska said...

Uh Oh... typo Meant to say Kool and the Gang.... while I am at it. Michael Jackson, the Supremes, etc...

Joanna Jenkins said...

I'm a fan of the "oldies"-- Sinatra, Armstrong, Ellington and the likes. And I'm a fan of early rock and roll. One or the other are always playing in my car. When Godson was about 8 years old he "broke the news to me" that a lot of my fave singers were dead. Ha!

Wonderful post! Have a fun weekend.
xo

Esme said...

Love the name of your blog.

Justine said...

Would you believe I could take or leave music? Jimmy is totally into rock and now both of my girls love it too. If I listen to anything, it's usually hip hop.

Justine :o )

Lin said...

My neighbor does that "You can only listen to Christian music" crap. She's all high and mighty about it while we laugh at her kids sneaking behind her back on so many things. I'm not sure what the big deal is about music and why you would limit what you listen to. Weird. I love just about anything, but I have a hard time with rap--ick. Don't enjoy that very much and my kids tease me about it.

Cinder Rail'lee said...

MISSSSSSSSSSSS YOU MUCHO GIRLIE!

jmt said...

My husband cannot be around the house without music or singing himself. He dances often as well. The boys thoroughly enjoy watching and when they think I'm not looking, they all get goofy and dance together. Apparently I am considered an outsider to this male bonding ritual. I love that they love music with their father.

 

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