Original Article by by Sarah W. Caron They say that music is the universal language. Regardless of where you are from or what your background, a good melody is something that everyone can enjoy and understand. There must be something behind that, right? For children, music provides many, many benefits. Experts agree, there are lots of good things about letting your child learn to play an instrument. Here are 10 reasons why your child should put down the remote and pick up a musical instrument. 1. It will boost their brain powerWant to give your child a mental advantage? Music can do that. "More and more studies show a correlation between higher academic achievement with children who are exposed to music," says children's music specialist Meredith LeVande of MonkeyMonkeyMusic.com. "Music simply stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, math, and emotional development." 2. It will improve their memory Where did that shoe go? That's a question asked far too many times in far too many households with kids. Help your kids remember more (and learn more!) with music. "Further research has shown that participation in music at an early age can help improve a child's learning ability and memory by stimulating different patterns of brain development," says Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a conductor, composer and musical director for the Miami Symphony Orchestra. 3. It helps them socially Picking up an instrument can also help your child break out of their social shell too, experts say. "Socially, children who become involved in a musical group or ensemble learn important life skills, such as how to relate to others, how to work as a team and appreciate the rewards that come from working together, and the development of leadership skills and discipline," says Marturet, who also oversees the MISO Young Artist program in South Florida, which allows young musicians to hone their musical skills as part of a professional orchestra. 4. It's a confidence builder Are there any areas of life that aren't enhanced by having good confidence? Probably not. And if you want your child to develop their confidence, learning to play a musical instrument can help. "They find that they can develop a skill by themselves, that they can get better and better," says Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen, a music teacher and performer. 5. It teaches patience We live in a world of instant gratification, but real life demands having patience. When you are playing in a band or orchestra (and most musicians do), you have to be willing to wait your turn to play otherwise the sound is a mess. That inadvertently teaches patience. "You need to work together in a group to make music," says Dotson-Westphalen. 6. It can help them connect Who doesn't sometimes feel a little disconnected from their lives? Music can be a much-needed connection for kids (and adults too!). "It can satisfy the need to unwind from the worries of life, but unlike the other things people often use for this purpose, such as excessive eating, drinking, or TV or aimless web browsing, it makes people more alive and connected with one another," says Michael Jolkovski, a psychologist who specializes in musicians. 7. It's constant learning In some pursuits, you can never truly learn everything there is to know. Music is like that. "It is inexhaustible -- there is always more to learn," says Jolkovski. 8. It's a great form of expression People pay a lot of lip-service to expressing yourself. But how can kids really do that? One great way is through the arts -- like music. "It gives pleasure and expresses nuances of emotional life for which there are no words," says Jolkovski. 9. It teaches discipline There's this old joke that begins "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The answer? "Practice, practice, practice." To improve in music, you have to not only do well in classes, but devote time to practicing outside of the lessons too. That requires discipline. "Exposing kids to musical instruments is the key. They are naturally curious and excited about them -- and the discipline that parents AND kids learn by sticking with it is a lesson in itself," says Mira Stulberg-Halpert of 3D Learner Inc., who works with children who have ADHD. 10. It fosters creativity Above all, playing music -- particularly as kids get to more advanced levels in it -- is a creative pursuit. Creatively is good for the mind, body and soul. 6. It can help them connect Who doesn't sometimes feel a little disconnected from their lives? Music can be a much-needed connection for kids (and adults too!). "It can satisfy the need to unwind from the worries of life, but unlike the other things people often use for this purpose, such as excessive eating, drinking, or TV or aimless web browsing, it makes people more alive and connected with one another," says Michael Jolkovski, a psychologist who specializes in musicians. 7. It's constant learning In some pursuits, you can never truly learn everything there is to know. Music is like that. "It is inexhaustible -- there is always more to learn," says Jolkovski. 8. It's a great form of expression People pay a lot of lip-service to expressing yourself. But how can kids really do that? One great way is through the arts -- like music. "It gives pleasure and expresses nuances of emotional life for which there are no words," says Jolkovski. 9. It teaches discipline There's this old joke that begins "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The answer? "Practice, practice, practice." To improve in music, you have to not only do well in classes, but devote time to practicing outside of the lessons too. That requires discipline. "Exposing kids to musical instruments is the key. They are naturally curious and excited about them -- and the discipline that parents AND kids learn by sticking with it is a lesson in itself," says Mira Stulberg-Halpert of 3D Learner Inc., who works with children who have ADHD. 10. It fosters creativity Above all, playing music -- particularly as kids get to more advanced levels in it -- is a creative pursuit. Creatively is good for the mind, body and soul.

Music making helps children's brain functioning in numerous ways. It's not just a theory, it's proven! Chopsticks aren't just for eating dinner with! They are great drum sticks. Coupled with an Oatmeal Box and Coffee Can and your child is learning rhythm, coordination and music! Check out these great deals on children's instruments. Combine a playable toy saxophone with your home made drumset!

Nice children's drum set and if your child doesn't take to it use it as your own coffee house jazz kit! That's what I use for my pro coffee house gigs! Good solid construction at a great price.

Have not blogged on here in a long time. Too many different social media platforms! Musicforkids

Earstu flash! Saturday 8pm. Barley n Hops. Occidental. Saturday nite. Free cd's!

I like my colored UKULELES! CHECK 'EM OUT.

Earstu flash: Barley n Hops - Occidental. Tonight. 9pm to Midnight! Ur on the gig list 4 my band Earstu. If u wish 2 b taken off let me know. hope 2 c u!

reminder to everyone: Earstu at Auborgines. Tonite! 9pm.

Soulshine won! Thanks everyone for your support!

Check out this fun Boomwhacker composition. Amazing!

Get you Boomwhackers here: Click here for Boomwhackers! 

Hi everyone. EARSTU tonight. Thurs. 9pm. Northlight Books - OLIVERS CTR. Cotati. Rock on!

Career Paths: Music is a tougher one than many but if your child has a passion for it and wants to pursue music as a career then I would suggest encouraging it but also make sure you look at all the career options and help your child to create a plan of action. It may be good to figure out something they can do in conjunction with music. Not something separate so it becomes a this or that choice but something which may dove-tail with a music career as an extra income earner. Music is tougher than most but if you have a game plan and take action it will be rewarding.

Muiscal Instruments

 Great Parenting Blog. Check it out:

http://www.modernmom.com/blogs/cori-linder/top-ten-creative-practicing-tips-for-kids

Kids Bongos - Ages 1-4. Letting 'em go at below cost! $7.99

CLICK HERE   http://www.musicforkids.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MFK&Product_Code=RB912&Category_Code=perc

What is the reason we play music in the first place?
When I was five years old my uncle would rehearse his band in the living room of our house. My uncle was a guitar player but when the band would come over the drums were my focus! The bass drum would hit me right in the heart. I can still remember the “thump” it would create in my chest. The beat would give me an excited, uplifting feeling, a feeling I can’t quite put my finger on today. As I grew older the feeling faded. There wasn’t an exact moment or time period when it faded. It just did. That feeling did start me on a journey of playing drums and today I’m a fairly accomplished drummer.
As we grow older the world starts to flood in and become increasingly demanding and complex. The wonderful feelings we experience as children can become shut down. We become unreceptive in our hearts and minds. For me it has become a work of the heart. Now that I’ve been playing the drums for over 40 years, all the while struggling with the fact that it has not been the most lucrative career choice for me, I’m trying to get back to the reason for my pursuit of drumming in the first place. A few years ago I decided that I’m no longer going to play for material gain. Adopting that mind set helped out in my creative endeavors and helped me to become a better drummer but it still didn’t seem to address the real reason, that initial heart feeling, that first bass drum thump, that barely containable excitement that would completely take me over when I heard a drummer.
Trying to find that place is a very worthwhile endeavor. I believe I may never find “it” to be like it was when I was 5 years old. But I can find the essence of it and each time I play music I catch it in one way or another. It’s still a work in progress and that’s part of what drives me on.
Always have fun with your music and try not to lose sight of why you started playing in the first place. Music as a career choice can really put a damper on your fun. And by fun, I don’t mean superficial “I just want to have fun” mind set. I mean fun as in that wonderful excited feeling that carries you to another place, a good place, a place where we all can be.

Soulshine. 2nite. Windsor green. 6 to 9.

Create a story using music you have in your collection. Help your child write a simple story and then pick out music for the different parts of the story. Maybe a dramatic classical piece by Stravinsky for a dramatic place in the story and a happy "up" song for another place. You and your child can act out the story with the music. I did this when my son was younger and it was great fun! I put the songs onto a cd via my computer and presto....instant sound track!


Musicforkids!

You can't read or write music without notes. If you think of music as a language, the notes are like letters of the alphabet. If you know how to recognize the notes, you can learn the language.

Musicforkids! 

Laurie Berkner Band: http://www.musicforkids.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MFK&Product_Code=berknerbestof&Category_Code=cd

An interval is the distance between two notes.

Anything to stupid to be spoken is sung - Voltaire

All my Marin friends- playing CORTE madera town ctr mall Sunday 2 - 4

BALLOON SHAKER: Add a small handful or unpopped corn into a balloon, droping them through the narrow neck. Blow up the balloon and tie. Makes a great thunder sound!

Tim Cain is an incredible children's artist. Check out these CD's! Great stuff: Tim Cain's CD's Click Here