While Grammy was playing with Grandchild #1, 1 year 7 months, his dad came in from the hardware store with a paintbrush. The child picked it up and before he knew what one is “supposed” to do with a paintbrush, Grammy borrowed it and pretended to paint the wall, chanting in Duple meter. The child was so enamored, he went from one wall to another with a gleam in his eye and paint brush in hand, moving that little body rhythmically, happily “painting” and chanting “bah bahs.” Introducing a household object to a child through rhythm or tonal play defines the object for the child as a musical instrument, stimulating the child to “practice music” independently.
