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Tips for Singing with Children

Writer's picture: Let's Play MusicLet's Play Music

Updated: Feb 5


Singing with children is a fun way to help them grow and learn. It boosts their confidence, helps with language skills, and introduces them to music. In this post, you'll find easy tips to make singing with kids enjoyable and beneficial, no matter their age.


Tips for Singing with Children:


  1. Any Note is Sol: Play any piano note and imagine it's "sol." Sing "sol-mi" and check by moving three half-steps down. Practice this interval from any starting note.


  2. Vocal Channeling: Some children have a limited vocal range. Expand their range with channeling, swooping, and siren-singing exercises.


  3. Match Their Range: If a child sings from a different pitch, repeat the exercise at their pitch to help them hear and sing the interval.


  4. Snuggle Up: Hold your child close, quietly sing "sol-mi," and have them echo back. This helps them focus on listening and feeling the vibrations.


  5. Encouragement: Don't dwell on mistakes. Praise their effort and keep the mood fun with silly songs to encourage more singing.


  6. Be Playful: Use simple sol-mi songs at home for fun singing. Invent songs with sol, la, and mi in everyday phrases to help them practice without realizing it.


  7. Pentatonic Songs: Focus on the pentatonic scale (Do-Re-Mi-Sol-La) at home, as it's easier for children to sing. Add Fa and Ti later.


Singing Voice and Speaking Voice



Walking and climbing are basic skills, while a back handspring requires specific muscle training. Similarly, vocal muscles develop muscle memory through practice. Speaking is automatic, but singing requires more muscle control to produce loud overtones and various pitches, making it more demanding and distinct from speaking.


Can you sing an octave like the major scale?


A Let's Play Music student begins by finding their "singing voice," which may feel unfamiliar at first. Class activities like swooping and hooting encourage vocal range exploration. The typical singing range for LPM children is from middle D to treble B, and songs are designed to fit within this range, except for some that stretch to a full octave.


Tips:


  1. Siren Games: Use daily activities to encourage vocal pitch variation, helping expand your child’s range.


  2. Muscle Memory: Use tone bells to practice intervals like Do-Re-Do and echo them with your child. Over time, add more intervals like Do-Mi-Do.


  3. Listening Skills: Encourage your child to listen to their own voice by singing along with a quiet CD or in a group setting, sometimes plugging one ear to hear themselves clearly.


  4. Harmony Practice: Introduce harmony through ostinati (short, repeating melodies) and rounds like "Are You Sleeping" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."


  5. Increase the Challenge: Repeat class activities at home, sing in rounds, or try multi-part songs. Long trips are great for vocal challenges!


Even if a child doesn't grow to love singing, LPM helps them develop essential musical skills like audiation, which will benefit them as musicians.



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