Being forced to be a "concert" pianist might be different than just learning to play...

I don't believe it is right for any parent to force a child into any career. I know somebody who felt forced into Engineering but it wasn't his passion, he got his Engineering qualifications then left his job to join a band, and then trained as an English teacher.

I just want my son to enjoy music and yes I may sign him up for lessons when the time is right. But if he doesn't enjoy it or want to pursue it then I'd be wrong to force it.

So any further ideas on how I spark passion in him?
Is MFPA a good book to have about?
Any other books that I could play from to spark passion in him?

I think you've got some good ideas to help spark the interest in your son.

1. Enroll him in music for young children classes (which I believe you said he's already doing?)

2. Show him *your* interest in piano and music in general in a few ways: find pieces that you enjoy playing; put on music in the background, or to dance to, while you're hanging out at home; look at youtube videos of performances (my kids love this!); go to live music performances if possible.

3. Cater to his age and development by listening to and playing music geared to young children, and perhaps looking at the pictures, and trying a few basic activities, in piano methods for children such as MFPA. There are others too - Music for Young Mozarts is one I used to use ages ago before MFPA came out. You can browse books at your local shop, or even online. One site (sheetmusicplus.com) allows you "sneak peeks" inside most of the books they sell.

All of these things are great ways of turning him on to music.

In terms of more specific advice from us (re. books), if you tell us more about your musical interests (what styles, etc you like), and some books you've liked and why (and why you haven't liked other books) then we could make more specific suggestions.

I highly recommend Gari Stein's "Sing With Me" CDs. Most of the CDs contain a single voice singing and chanting, which provide a great model for parents & caregivers (who should be singing & chanting "live in person" more than playing the CD anyway!).

The accompanying booklets offer a wealth of information for nurturing a young child's development on all levels...not just musical. Her website is also a great resource; check out the "Research Tells Us" section.

For teachers who like to do their own thing and not necessarily join any of the well-known EC music organizations, this series is a nice alternative.

I think your worry is a waste of time right now.....your child is only 2 1/2! Let him/her just be a child in their glorious world of adventure and exploring. Why are you worried about finding their passion already? I would never spend money on music classes for one so young. Just let him see/hear you play without any expectations. Play nice classical music and anything else you like in your home. He may or may not want lessons in the future but I really feel lessons for those so young is just another way for teachers to make money. Just enjoy your child and relax!

I took an early childhood education course that was very interesting. The course talked about synapses - making brain connections. Building the best possible brain is all about preparation. True, a child can’t learn algebra until the brain is ready. But how well the child picks up that new skill can be altered by early experiences that prime those neurons and their connections for action. This link has an interesting article on the subject but bottom line is T-G is definitely NOT wasting her time and it is not just another way for teachers to make money.

http://thevivacious7.wordpress.com/2007/...d-their-brains/

..."These first years are the period when the brain has the greatest hope for growth and construction. The synapses are strengthened by exposure to experiences. Experience provides stimulation that kick starts development of the synapses. Expanding from that base then develops more complex connections. Research tells us that synapses that are not stimulated are eliminated. They are pruned. They die. They wither. They are no longer there for use by the child."...

I'm with Xstitch. Small children have a wonderful world to explore, and music is one part of it. Listen to music (in different languages), sing, clap, dance, and play music on the piano and on the computer... I think someone already mentioned this, but I think a small keyboard including songs and recording capability is the best toy ever for kids. Then they have "their very own piano." I didn't want my 2 1/2 year olds playing my nice several-thousand dollar piano, but I would play with them on my lap. When I was a kid I had a toy with a tiny keyboard that you blew into to play, it's hard to explain because it was a weird little thing and I've never seen one since the '60's, but I loved it. My kids each had their own little portable keyboard and a toy microphone thing that they could sing into. They loved those toys. Lessons can come later.

unreal - that's a melodica! You can still get them. I have a jazz piano player friend who plays one on his gigs sometimes!

Thank-you very much for the ideas.
John I'll have a look for that CD sounds good.

Xstitch4me I'm just trying to get him interested, he does his music class at nursery but if I was a stay at home mum I would want to find a music group or class for him. As Donna has rightly said at this stage it is a bit if you don't use it you loose it. If I can get him interested in little snippets then fantastic.

Unreal I was considering a little keyboard for him. Santa is just around the corner. I also looked at the little pianos somebody mentioned a page or so back but the price of them put me off.

Pianojazzgirl as a child I remember a couple of friends having melodicas - can't believe you can still buy them either. I don't remember them being that easy to play, and as a lefty to me they were the "wrong way round".

I'm going to get MFPA ordered and have a look for Johns CD.
Thanks again for your help in my mission.

1. Sing, dance, jump, clap go crazy - to music on CDs - show him how much fun music is.
2. MFPA - just as everybody suggested - when he is older - 4-6 years old. I can tell you my 4 years old still is not quite ready to get beyond first few pages.
3. Get a song book and play for him songs he likes. I have a Great Family Songbook. It is easy and has a kids section. I play This Old Man, Wheels on the bus, Spider

And mostly enjoy it all and relax...