I want to play bluegrass music with my children.

If you're a bluegrass player, you may wonder “…if I could play bluegrass music with my child...” Many friends of mine had tried lots of ways to give their child an interest in bluegrass music. For example, the parents turned on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” whenever the kids were around to get them used to listening to it.Daughters

As a matter of fact, most of the children still didn't show any interest in the music. One of the reasons is that none of their friends either knows or can play the music. Another reason is that the wives don't like the music. Bluegrass is like “noise” to them. This is all because of our cultural differences.

 
 

Getting them interested.

I bought not only bluegrass music records, but also records of children's songs for my children. My wife and I sang children's songs with bluegrass instruments. Although we played our favorite Carter family record during supper, the children showed no reaction. However, when we played Christmas songs, such as “Silent Night” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, they listened. Later on, my children asked my wife how she sang.

This is how they came to show an interest in music. My band “Hillbillies”, my wife, my two friends, and I had stopped playing old-time music years before.

Michiko & Moritoshi

However, we started practicing for the upcoming festival in my city, Fukuoka in 1986. My Children were listening to our performance. We played “Saints Go Marchin' In,” “Home Sweet Home,” and “When the World's on Fire,” etc.

Gradually, we heard my children singing the songs, such as “Saints Go Marchin' In” from their room.


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