Environment Nurtures Growth: How to be a music-loving Dad
It’s that time of year again to celebrate fathers! Music-loving dads can help create an environment that nurtures growth for their children. Environment Nurtures Growth is the third of the 7 Concepts of Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE). Dr. Shinichi Suzuki said, “Please prepare the best environment for your child. Parent and child should grow together looking towards the future.”
Dr. Suzuki was talking about preparing the best environment from the moment of your baby’s birth. So, he meant that fathers, as well as, mothers need to spend time listening to music with their child. They can also enjoy musical activities and reading stories together. Moms AND dads both need to nurture a deep relationship with their child.
Dad, your baby is watching what you say and do. They may not be able to talk or walk yet, but they are learning from you every moment. You have the opportunity to help your child grow into a person of fine character. You and your baby can learn together.
“Please prepare the best environment for your child. Parent and child should grow together looking towards the future.”
Shinichi Suzuki
Musical Fathers Nurture Growth in Their Children
So, I thought it would be fun to share with your what I found out about the fathers of a couple of famous composers. There was definitely BIG musical influencing going on in these families!
and create and environment that nurtures growth.
Johann Sebastian Bach–A “Really Musical Father”!
Let me tell you a few things about J.S. Bach (1685-1750). He had a musical father who was a string musician in the local town orchestra. So, J.S. likely began his musical instruction with his father. He then continued his musical studies with several well-known composers.
Now let’s talk “really musical” father. J.S. Bach had 20 children! I was nine or ten years old when I found out that. So, I’m thinking, “How did he have time to write all the music he composed?!”. Well, it turns out that he had two wives who were excellent musicians as well.
His first wife gave birth to ten children. Unfortunately, she died unexpectedly. He later remarried and his second wife bore him 10 more children. Sadly, as was case in those days, half of all of Bach’s children died in infancy or early childhood.
So at any given time, the Bach children had two musical parents creating an environment that nurtured their growth. However, the “mamas” didn’t count as much because women did not have the same opportunities to become composers as the “daddies”.
I’m so glad that has changed for the better for our children! I’m sure that didn’t stop the Bach “mamas” from teaching the children a thing or two about music. But, I digress…
In all, Bach had four sons who followed in his footsteps to become musicians and composers. We also know that his first-born, Catharina Dorothea Bach, was an excellent singer and often helped her father with his work.
It is pretty obvious that these Bach children were nurtured in an environment of music and learning. Bach most certainly spent time playing music for them. They were also exposed to other musicians and composers’ music as well.
Next, let’s explore Mozart.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart-Another Musical Father
W.A. Mozart’s family had a number of musical fathers. His own father, Leopold Mozart, was a church and court musician. Wolfgang’s maternal grandfather was a choir member and taught singing. His sister was also an excellent musician.
Leopold can be considered progressive. He taught both his son and daughter music lessons. He then “took them on the road” to play for the crown heads and nobility of Europe.
Wolfgang later would grow up and marry Costanze Weber. Costanze’s father was a double bass player. He allowed Costanze and her three sisters to be trained as singers. They all had good musical careers. (But they still weren’t allowed to be composers!)
Wolfgang and Costanze had two sons who survived into adulthood. They, too, studied to become musicians. However, one decided to become a clerk instead. But, the other became a composer and piano virtuoso. They, however, were not destined to become musical fathers because neither had any children.
My Musical Father
My own dad was a very good singer but, he had no musical training. He liked to say he “played the radio” or the “stereo”. However, here is what made him a musical father (and a great father to me).
First of all, he was always learning. He was a reader and was always interested in new things. He took every opportunity to learn. In fact, I don’t know this for certain, but I think his love for classical music began with buying groceries.
Back in the day, if you bought $10 worth of groceries, you could get a record album of classical music for 50 cents. There was a new album offered at regular intervals.
He probably figured that was an inexpensive way to start a record collection. Why not? You had to buy groceries anyway. You can read that complete story here about how my dad and mom influenced me to become a musician.
How to Become a Music-Loving Dad
Just like my dad, you don’t have to be a trained musician to be a music-loving dad. But, there is one requirement: you have to want to develop a deep relationship with your baby. You can do that by listening to music with them, especially classical music.
There is a form and flow to early classical music that is steady and comforting to a baby. Let’s face it. There is plenty in this life to upset little ones already. One of those should not be be loud, raucous music of any kind.
Reading to your baby is another way to develop a closer relationship with each other. This will help your baby begin to develop language and communication skills.
Sing to your child as well. Again, you don’t need to be an opera singer. You just have to love that baby in your arms and really mean the words you sing to them.
Finally, be excited about spending time with your baby and learning new things together. That deep relationship that you are growing with your child now will strengthen both of you for life.
I sincerely wish all of you a wonderful Fathers’ Day!
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
Share and Comments
All of you mamas reading can share this post with the daddies in your life. Daddies, I hope you will consider doing the things in this post with your baby. Share in the Comments if you spent your Fathers’ day being a “music-loving dad!
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