Grand-Dude needs help.

Subject: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Tony Burns
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 05:14 PM

I became a grandfather for the first time on December 18th 1997. Her name is Erica and she is perfect. She (and her parents) used to live a bazillion miles away (Calgary, I'm in Toronto) and now they live 12 bazillion miles away (Whistler, BC (the lucky sods!!!!)). Erica and I have met once, when she was 6 months old and now her Grandma and I are going to visit for a week starting next Friday. From the beginning I decided that I was going to be the musical grandparent and to that end have sent her CDs that I felt were appropriate for her age. When I visited her at 6 months I sang quiet songs to her, accapella. On this trip I am taking a bath-tub toy that has a floating scale she can play by hitting the floating things with a 'fish hammer'.

How can you help? Well, she can't spend the whole week in the bath tub and I want to make the best use of the time. What are good things to make a musical impression at 20 months? Her father has a guitar but I don't know how much he plays it. Maybe I can encourage him by example. Please suggest anything you think will help.

Grand-Dude? What the heck is Grand-Dude? My family has a history of names such as Grand-Peg, Grandma-Jay, Grandpa-Pop, ... When I was asked what Erica should call me I said Grand-Dude. Her parents immediately balked at the name but by the time the beautiful Erica was born they liked it. I've been Grand-Dude ever since. (I don't think I'll ever grow up.)

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: wildlone
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 05:34 PM

Kids like any thing that is bright,flashy&noisy so get her a zylophone drum in fact the noisier the better,Her parents will love you for it.HA HA.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From:
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 05:54 PM

Spike Jones?

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Margo
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 06:01 PM

Bert, I think songs that have animal sounds, like Old Macdonald and the like, would be good. She could get involved, helping you to say the meow or bow wow. Kids like that stuff, and I think it would be age apropriate. I have a CD of Pete Seeger's called Birds, Beasts, Bugs, & Fishes. It's got some good songs on it, and it is available.

Margarita

PS, when you come back from your visit, I'd enjoy hearing about how you were able to interact with her.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From:
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 06:02 PM

Tony, Mozart, of course: see the Music Therapy thread. --seed

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Duckboots
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 06:21 PM

And what is Grandma called? Grand-Dudette?

Duckboots

PS: Tony, we think you're a grand dude as well.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Terry
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 06:36 PM

Drums! At that age, they just love banging on things and making noise. On the low end, a wooden spoon on the bottom of a saucepan will fit the bill. At the higher end, Fisher-Price makes a drum with an attached drumstick which lights up in different colors and plays different tunes depending upon what part of the drum is hit. She'll quickly figure out how to make her favorite colors and tunes work.

A game my grandsons love is matching their steps to my beating a drum. They "march" to a moderate beat, run to a faster one, take giant steps to the slow beats. The fun is mixing them up and catching them off-guard, but it also teaches them rhythm.

I keep a lot of real (but old and nothing I worry about getting scratched) instruments in the house so the boys (3 years, 2-1/2 years and 4 months) can experiment. Timothy will be banging on the piano while Seamus strums a guitar or beats a drum (baby Matthew just noisily sucks his toes at this stage).

Then there are the singing games. She'll love you making up little ditties using her name. When you two go out for a walk and when you bathe or feed her, sing to her about what you're doing. It's raining, it's pouring...Wash, wash, wash your feet...Erica's eating her peas...

Don't worry. You'll communicate your love of music to Erica. You won't even have to try. You're going to find your little granddaughter so delightful that you'll want to hum, sing, skip and waltz her around in your arms the whole time you're with her.

Have a wonderful visit!

(P.S. My grandchild #4 is due in January and an ultrasound performed on Wednesday shows that this one might, just might, be a GIRL!)

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 07:35 PM

All the good advice has been given. Keep the music going and don't push. Play and sing. Let her bang and whistle...at this point the sound of the music and your enthusiasm will be enough...don't go overboard, just relax and it will happen. Don't grow up.

You're only as old as the women you feel......under 18 is still considered a minor.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Tony Burns
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 07:57 PM

Thanks to all so far.

I have specific questions for Terry right now. I think drums are a good idea too but I have a small reservation. I don't want to leave behind something that is intrusive on the lifestyle Erica and her parents have already established. They live in a 2 bedroom apartment and have neighbours. If she were able to visit my house then we would have all the freedom we could want and noisey time could be spent at Grand-Dude's. I have a djembe, a bodhran , a couple of washboards, spoons and a bunch of other "drummy" stuff. In that way I am all set for grand kids. The problem is that Erica can't come and visit me once a week. One of the drums I have is a small (9" tall) dumbek. Since it is a hand drum the volume is limited to her ability. I would be happy to take it and leave it with her. Is it too much for a 20 month old child?

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 08:50 PM

My sister's grandson who is three is having a blast with all types of rhythm instruments: gourd rattles, bongo drums, that ratchety thing you run a stick up and down on, bells, and others. I think your smaller dumbek would be fine. I am sure the idigenous people of the Middle East make them available to their children at any age. (BTW: I have a wonderful cd called Rhythmic Essence: The Art of the Dumbek by R.A. Fish; really love it!)

Good advice up above....don't worry and structure it. It will come naturally to you. Take a look at the Mudcat for Kids for songs. Bet has been doing "here is thumbkin" "eensy weensy spider" "little bunny foofoo" and many, many more with her grandson and he loves them. She drove from Colorado to California and back with him this summer and kept him entertained by singing and teaching him songs.

Erica is gonna love her Grand Dude!

kat

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 10:37 PM

And it's a funny thing Tony, but there's a lot of natural music and rhythm already inside. I'm always amazed at the "instruments" kids invent......Drums hell, almost all would prefer pots and pans and wooden spoons. Don't be afraid of the "Electronic" stuff either....Things that do music at that age are cool to kids, and they don't care what makes the noise.

Make some things with her like can shakers with different things in each that make a different noise; rubber band zithers and the like (diaper wipe boxes are great). Inexpensive plastic "tinwhistles" and such are a lot of fun for kids of her age. Don't get to elaborate, you don't have to.

Tony my friend, I'm a bit envious. I doubt I live long enough to be a grandparent and it's been and is such fun with my boys.....But I'm in the "parent" role and that's just not quite the same. Enjoy yourself.....and when she's a little older, remind me and I'll send you an "animal" board zither for her.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 11:12 PM

'Spaw!!! How old are the boys??? 7&8 or 6&7??? Ten years my friend...it's possible. Of course I know you don't want them to be teendads, BUT believe me, it isn't as far away as you think. And, with yours and Karen's giudance, they may not take as long as you to get around to it, ya know?*BG*

Like they tell me with my valve...the technology is improving so fast that the longer I can keep using the one I've got, the better my chances are, if I ever have to have it replaced. Hell, I am expecting them to come up with grafting right over the hole, patch that puppy like an inner tube!

Remember technology applies to you, too! Some grandkid will love ya and sit in your lap and sing with you, even if you can't get up a frisk a 40 yard dash with them.

Don't let anymore of that hurt you take on for everyone else do anymore to your heart, okay? Promise?!

We love you and, hell, if I can ever get my grandsons in the same place as you and me both, well....they're YOURS! Grandpaw 'Spaw....I like that! Or, even Gran'Spaw! Better!

luvya&longlifetousboth!Kat

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: paddymac
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 02:30 AM

Grand-dude: growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional! As for percussion instruments at 20 mos., I vote for wooden spoons and a cardboard box. Enjoy, and we expect a full report after you get back.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Tony Burns
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 10:14 AM

As Kat says 'spaw, "It could happen sooner than you think". In the meantime there are lots of other people having kids. It's not the same as your own but they're fun too. Kids need all age groups in their lives. Go out and be Grand-spaw to a couple of them.

Bumper sticker: If I'd known how great grandchildren were I'd have had them first.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Pelrad
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 10:48 AM

There is no need to limit your musical interaction with Erin to your infrequent visits. One of the coolest gifts you can give her is a tape of you playing and singing. Audio tapes, video tapes, whatever. Sing your favorites, include her favorites. :-)

I've been trying to get my dad to do this for my son, but he's "too busy" so far. I have an audio tape that is very dear to me; a storyteller friend of the family sent me a tape when I was twelve, of stories and poems we had shared when I was little. The fact that I still have it nearly 20 years later should tell you what it means to me.

And I'd say go for the drum idea. Chances are Erin is already driving your kids bonkers with the pots and pans. Xylophones are a great idea, and harmonicas are a possibility at this age as well.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Barbara
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 11:05 AM

They make a simple 20 key keyboard too, with big wide keys in different colors. That might be a little more apartment friendly, but I gotta say Tony, 2 year olds LOVE percussion.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: paddymac
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 01:31 PM

Pelrad - you 20 yr old tap sounds like a family treasure. If you haven't already, be sure to duplicate it every few years because it will deteriorate with time.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Pelrad
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 01:35 PM

I have a listening copy and an archived copy. Thanks. :-)

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: black walnut
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 06:03 PM

like barbara said, a keyboard (try the bathurst/lawrence mall for a 2nd hand?) with headphones!

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: Tony Burns
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 01:36 PM

I'm back! What a great trip. The weather was perfect. Erica is beautiful and we got to spend even more time with her than we thought we would because her mother just got a job and needed a baby sitter!!! Yahoo!

The dumbek and the Water Symphony (thanks for showing me the store 'nut and thanks to all you 'catters for your encouragement) were both successes. I restrung her dad's guitar and sang a few songs.

She's only 20 months and just starting to put words together. As she left our room for the last time before we went to the airport she said "Bye Dude!".

I'm smitten.

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 01:53 PM

Very Kool, Dude! Today, when my daughter called me with her twin biys who are just 16 months, one of them got on the phone and told me "HI"!

Subject: RE: Grand-Dude needs help.
From: black walnut
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 12:59 PM

glad you had a singin' good time!

~'nut