Teaching Kids to Sing: Best Resources for Teaching Musicianship

What is musicianship and why should kids learn it?

By “musicianship”, I am talking about the rudiments and vocabulary of music: note reading, writing, and ear training. The middle ten minutes of every lesson I teach is designated workbook time, but often the skills we learn in that middle overflow into technical exercises and repertoire study easily. Here is my process and favorite resources for setting up a good regime for each child in my studio!

For the Very Youngest Singers (4+):

For children ages 4-6, it can be difficult to find a way to structure a lesson plan so that lessons feel like they have a purpose and progression of materials. I am very impressed with the Singing Lessons for Little Singers series, especially the Very Young Beginners Books! These books are the perfect “pre-reading” curriculum. If the child is not yet reading or very new to it, these books are the best place to start! Don’t feel rushed to move them into more difficult curriculum than they are ready for. This is the age to play, dance, and make music organically.

For Slightly Older (6 or 7+)

I would definitely choose the Introductory Level Full Voice Workbook! I like this book for first and second grade. It says ages 5-7, but in my experience does better with ages 6-8. This is a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from note-reading to ear training. I think this one moves at a really nice pace and students are able to move one lesson per week.

For Upper Elementary Level (ages 8-12+)

The Full Voice Workbook Level One is my pick! It’s very comprehensive, so for kids who may not have had music lessons before, this is a great way to make sure they cover every nut and bolt. By the end of the first level, they can sight read. Once level One is done, I will move onto the next book in the series or move through Sight Singing Superhero (see below)

For Those Who Already have a Good Foundation in Note-Reading

When I get a young singer who has already taken four years of piano lessons or the Full Voice workbooks are beginning to feel too much like school work by the end of level one, I will pull out Sight Singing Superhero, also from The Full Voice. This book also works great for teens! Designed to progressively teach sight-singing skills, this book easily fills in the gap for ear training skills that may have not been as seamlessly developed by instrument study. It starts with solfege (tonic sol-fa) and rhythm, the combines the two, then introduces the staff. We’re able to move as quickly or as slowly as we like and just one page feels very productive.

Remember to never move the singer faster than they are ready for! This is the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my attempts at teaching piano lessons! Slow and steady wins the race… and will also not burn anyone out! Learning musicianship should feel fun, easy, and interesting.