By: Stephanie Tucker

Stephanie Tucker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:18:55 +0000

I was searching for advice about teaching kids how to play an instrument a year and a half ago when my son asked for a fiddle for his birthday… that’s when I first found the Tone-Way method website, ordered the book, and e-mailed Luke Abbott. I’m so glad I did. I love your philosophy of creating a family music tradition. In some ways it is very similar to Suzuki, in that you recommend creating opportunities for children to be surrounded by music making, live music, etc… and then that opportunity leads to the child’s desire to participate, and contribute in a real and meaningful way to family music making. But the really awesome advice you give is to make mistakes ourselves and to allow our children to make mistakes. This advice is very different from some of the Suzuki music teachers I had spoken with, who were appalled that I’d let my son touch his fiddle without proper instruction and warned against letting him form bad habits. Making mistakes is the best way to learn, I couldn’t agree more, and it takes so much of the fear and anxiety out of learning to make music. Plus, as a parent, it gives me the courage to share my imperfect music making with my son. And that is really a big part of this, getting over our own anxiety and not transferring our hang-ups to our kids. Your family is an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and talent with all of us.

Comments on: Your Family Music Tradition: Make It Happen

By: Stephanie Tucker