Not sure how old your kids are. I’ve been demanded to stop more times than I can count. But…. mine are 6, 4, and 2 and the 6 y/o just this week started ‘writing songs’ on his little guitar including lyrics in his little notebook (he can play simplified versions of G, C, and E on a 3 string guitar thing). And the 2 y/o rocks her head to the songs and asks for “again!” So it all evolves. (If you ever hear the songs “Crazy Turtles or “Slick Tires” at the top of the charts, that’s my son!)
I’ve been pretty keen on being a parent in the future and having some music moments with my future kids but if that sort of situation happens to me as well I think I’ll probably cry.
I think the kids have to be older. Or just have an interest in music. I just loved it and played piano at age 3 and I wasn’t a genius or anything but I did become a professional pianist. My kids just don’t give a shit. My 7 y/o is very visual and loves creating art and can draw and paint in ways I just cannot. My 5 and 2 y/o are just in their own world. Maybe when they are a bit older they might like music on some level, hopefully.
I think your right. I also started playing piano quite early, haven’t done anything crazy with it but I do compose music as a hobby. It will be awesome to see what your 7 year old ends up doing with their art. The other two will eventually have something they like to do.
I remember when I was really little it was more about exposure to tons of different things rather then my parents putting me in a box. It’s good your just letting them do their own thing.
Pretty cool you managed to become a professional pianist, the amount of work that goes into that is no joke
Thank you. I was a professional pianist and then later a teacher and then I became a stay at home dad when I had two kids and something had to give. I think you need your own space for your music time or you need to have your kids taken somewhere else so they don't bother you, otherwise it's just beyond frustrating.
Thank you - my 7 y/o loves art and visual stuff and drawing and she's far, far better at it then I could ever be even at her age. Maybe one of my younger ones will be into music.
Oh god I’m so sorry. That is terrible. It sucks so much. If you start to look at writers or musicians or people who did some sort of art that requires them being left alone and literally not disturbed - and I obviously don’t have this - they had like a studio or a barn or some place they went that wasn’t their actual house with their kids present because unless your kids are like 15 and doing their own thing it’s literally impossible.
Mine is about to be 4. We had the same problem. Get her one of those [4 string Loog guitars](https://loogguitars.com/) and she'll jam with you.
There are times I need to need to play full volume, so then my bride takes her. As yours gets older, it'll be easier to have her play solo so you can, too. At 2, just put the axe down and give her attention. I have two teen sons and I'm dreading the day my mija doesn't ask for my attention all the time.
These are still better though, because if the kid gets hooked they’ll be able to go directly to 6 string electrics or acoustics, and translate their skills without getting discouraged.
Also, they’re electric so they’re more versatile. Honestly looks like a fantastic product.
They sell kid guitars that are acoustics with six strings and are still cheaper than these guitars. It is a neat idea but I object to the price jump. Play guitar with my son all the time. I teach guitar professionally.
People skimp on getting nice stuff for their kids and it can really kill the vibe.
It's like kids bikes.
Lots of shitty kids bikes are incredibly heavy. A lot of the time it's equivalent to an adult riding a bike that weighs 2/3rds of their entire body weight.
That being said, a lot of people make a lot of money on selling overly expensive shit to kids who don't know the difference (see: kids shoes).
Getting them a standard kids saized acoustic is a great choice. Those 3 strings do look fun though. I wonder what the timbre is like through an amp. Now I want one lol
Loog guitars are quality though. I have an electric and acoustic and they are vastly better made than the Toys R Us kids guitars. My kids love the electric because... you can crank it up!
I know this is partly a joke, but there is a realness here. Kids don't typically care for, let alone appreciate, music like adults do. My 2.5 yo doesn't care for it when I play my songs on guitar, but if I pick out Twinkle Twinkle or the Bluey theme, she is all about it.
For OP, try learning some kids' songs she can sing along to.
This. My kid had zero interest in me playing and actively tried to stop me. Then I got her a ukulele so it can be a together activity and learned the sesame street theme song (her favorite) and other kids songs and it’s something we do together. Sure it’s not as fun for me but it still keeps my fingers in shape and shares my love for music with my kid.
Wheels on the Bus, is my kids (2.75 yo) “FreeBird”!
I’ve taken to adding more realistic lines to the song.
Based on my own experience riding the bus home.
🎶The kids on the bus, They fell asleep , and missed their stop, Missed their stop,,, all through the town🎶
It gets a giggle sometimes
I got so lucky with my son. He’s been helping me record music since he was two - pushing the record enable button for me haha He always has a music suggestion or two and loves to flip the records for us!
My wife and I have always played pop and rock songs in the house and my two year old is well-versed in a lot of them. He hates Wonderwall, but Champagne Supernova is our ace in the hole when he’s overstimulated or sad or won’t go to sleep. It totally transports him, which, to be fair, it did for me too when I was young and it was the 90s.
My 3 year old is mixed. So what I did? I got a beater classical. I'll hold chords and let him strum and beat on the strings. And I accept that my practice will be different than what I'd like.
But it's got him to the point where he'll let me play a few songs. So he does leave me alone sometimes when I'm playing...
I’ve played guitar with my son since he was born so it’s always just been the norm. I’m very grateful that he’s always been interested in it.
I think one thing that’s important is to learn songs they know and like. Hint wheels on the bus is literally just D A looped forever. Have fun with it, get them involved. Another thing I’ll do is just loop some simple progressions and sing silly lyrics about whatever. Sometimes that alone is huge entertainment for him and it’s a good exercise for me actually.
I’ll second the loog guitar recommendation. Or maybe get her a drum. Or have her do the singing. We do all of the above and it’s honestly my happiest times with my oldest son as he’s super into it. Am I playing hard songs or the types of things I want to all the time? Definitely not but some of happiest moments with my oldest son has been from playing together.
I would say just be clear about your goal and your intentions. If you are trying to be present with her, engage with her, play with her, I would recommend you try to do something she can be involved with. Maybe sing a song she can sing with you. Maybe just make eye contact, play little games with the notes. Play a predictable line but then don't finish it, maybe she'll find it funny or try to sing the last note.
If you're trying to practice, I would recommend going into a separate space and clearly indicate you aren't trying to play with her, you are working on something. But ultimately I believe music is meant to be shared, and I think it would be a missed opportunity if you don't end up doing something engaging with her.
If it makes you feel any better, I have a two-year-old who only lets me sing the “lai-la-lai” part of The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) and complains when I start actually singing a verse.
Sounds difficult, fellow dad and fellow musician. I encourage you that she is just 2 years old and will grow out of this phase. Continue to play music joyfully even if that means when she is not around. I don’t think you’re teaching her any sort of life lesson by putting down the guitar when she’s around other than “okay I will focus on you in this moment”.
I'm right there with you. My little one is 2 1/2. If I play with him in the room he flips out because he wants to play with the guitar. I got him his one little toy guitar, and every once in a while that's enough for him, but mostly he puts it down and wants the one I'm holding. If I close myself in the bedroom to play he stands outside the door and has a meltdown because he can't be in the same room, and I can't concentrate enough to practice anything. I had a full jam room setup in my basement, then my mother in law lost her place, and now she lives down there.
I've gotten to the point where I don't even have callouses on my fingers anymore. I'm considering playing in my garage between my toolbox and lawn tractor just to get back into it haha. I spent almost 15 years before he was here playing two or three nights a week though, so I'm ok giving it up for a bit....though I miss it more and more every day.
I was lucky and my son was obsessed with the guitar since he was old enough to know what it was. Now I have to deal with him wanting to play mine instead of his little guitar. Which is fine, he helps me strum or tries to hold the strings on the fretboard.
You probably already are but see if you can include them or get their own one to play. Cheap toy one will be fine. Or bongos, toy piano etc (my son loves all of those too).
I could be lucky and just have a toddler who loves music as much as I do. If those don't work you just might have to save playing for when you get some alone time.
There are times my son doesn't want me playing mine so we do what he would like to do, building blocks, our own made up games, playing outside. I think at this age (in my opinion) it's more working with them and letting them learn through play rather than trying to impart lessons in your way. Save that for when they are older and understand more around them.
2 is a really tough age for this, but I agree with the top comments about making it something you can connect with her about. My dad plays guitar and sings, and when I was little he had the Raffi song book (I think there are at least two of them) and we would sing together. Some of my best memories are of singing with him while he played. Hang in there, this won't last forever!
Same. My oldest is now 3 and a half and we’ve gone through phases where she wants me to play and times where she doesn’t. If you make it about her, that helps. I make up songs about her and she dances/sings, and I find non-kid songs she likes and learn to play them, then she dances for me. As long as you make it about her doing whatever and not you playing, she’ll be more about it. Also, she’ll get better at playing by herself and you can just play in the same room.
My baby hated my guitar playing. Same kid 6 months later as a toddler gets upset when I stop playing before bedtime (I play him a few songs before bed).
Kids change.
Maybe try bass? jk jk
I have a daughter about the same age. She loves when I play. I try to involve her as much as I can. Let her strum the bass, plug it in, anything to be a part of the experience. I also play music she likes. Mainly from the TV show Bluey. So my advice is, involve her more.
Edit: Pedals. She loves stomping pedals and playing with the knobs.
My toddler is shit at mountain biking and she can’t walk never mind run a 5K so some of my hobbies are better alone. Thank god they sleep for 12 hours.
I got my little guy a ukulele. He loves it. He'll also sit down as my piano. It's not that he doesn't like when I play something, it's more that he wants whatever I'm holding. So now he's got his own instruments as a buffer.
Both of my kids (4 and 3) used to do the same whenever I would sit down at the piano. To be honest, sometime they still do. What worked best for me was to let them "play" with me if they wanted, or to play songs that they liked (from kid shows, lullabies, other songs that their mother and I sing to them, etc). Now my son has a piece he asks me to play on repeat, constantly, until I get sick of win, so I guess it's sort of a win?
If I could play guitar, I’d start singing about how you love playing guitar and why she should join you, cause your cool and what dad does, will make you cool.
We had a similar issue - both of ours wanted to be so involved in the new, exciting thing that they had to drop everything and come press all the buttons they could reach!
We have to have multiple practices - one where we can take turns between us and the little ones, and then later one where we can do what we want. Hiding things from kids makes them want it more, and they are hardwired to want to copy what mum and dad are doing anyway.
All little ones can "help" by playing some small drums/tambourines. When they got a bit bigger they got their own instruments- a mini guitar, recorders, a (very cheap) trumpet so they could be like mummy and daddy and play along, and that helped buy us time to play what we wanted.
Mom here hope that’s ok. Boundaries are important. I would explain with simple words: dad is playing guitar now! We can play together in 10 minutes. Set a timer. But don’t give in because it’s very important that kids know they are our BIGGEST priority but not our only priority!
Learn songs she likes. My kid loves the wiggles so I learned fruit salad and big red car and she’s much more into it.
I’m a bass player so I just switch to the acoustic guitar so I don’t bore her with the root notes.
I played the ABC song while my 5 year old daughter sang the other day, we did it about five times. It was sweet, toddlers and guitars do not get along but it will get easier and enjoyable again. Brush up on your nursery rhymes, That might allow you to play.
My daughter was the same way at that age when I played music. She's 5 now and is a little more tolerant. There's not much you can do, just accept that the kid isn't into it at that stage in their life. It's not personal!
I did get a better reaction when I played instrumental versions of Twinkle Twinkle and other nursery rhymes.
My kid is obsessed with my guitars and piano. He has a little $15 guitar off Amazon that he’s smashed around and runs to get when he sees me grab a guitar, maybe try that
I got mine a crappy uke to just swipe at and smack while I played, we played his together first for awhile. My kid is 3 now and likes to dance and play shakers while I play, so maybe a little less interested in the guitar itself but it's a fun time we share together. I think that's just the way it goes sometimes.
Went through this. It gets better just keep working at it.
I ended up buying a ukulele for my little one and she would sit there and strum along while I played.
Now she's just starting grade 1 piano and seems to have the music bug. Love it!
I like to build model kits as a hobbies and as a channel to my what ever emotion, yeahhh. It’s been 10 years and 6 unopened Gundam kits because I lost a v fin from one in display. Had to put them all in the garage or just keep them in the box in my closet. I tried waking up earlier or trying it after they sleep and no success as I am exhausted and need the time to decompress. Yeah, I tried other hobbie but the are hobbies destroying / cock blockering little human draculas.
Do you play electric?
If you have a wah pedal or anything that has an expression input then they can help you “play guitar” by manning the pedal. Yea it takes some getting used to but it can really keep them occupied.
We also have a decent ukulele for my daughter and a plastic pos one for my 2yo son. It’s unbreakable haha.
Man, I guess I’m lucky. I just started playing guitar again after a 2 year break, and my 18 month and 2 year old seem to love it when I’m practicing Slayer and Metallica
OP I feel for you. Around when my kid was two she would actively stop me whenever I played guitar, piano, or even sang. Maybe it’s because I like to sing silly in the car and I think it’s fun to annoy her like that some times, maybe it’s something in her head I don’t understand. I even learned “you got a friend in me” when she was WAY into Toy Story, and even then she simply ignored me on good days.
I would recommend trying songs she knows and see if she takes to it like others have said, but I also make things a bit transactional. You want to paint? Okay, I’ll get them out and then I’m going to practice guitar while you do that. You want me to paint with you? Okay, I’ll paint for 10 minutes and then I’m going to practice.
And more than anything, don’t take it personal! A child’s mind is something difficult to understand, and at some point your kid is going to think it’s really cool you can play music.
They grow out of it. My son wasn’t a big fan of me playing when he was younger. His favorite game was to ask for my pick and throw it in the shoundhole of my acoustic lol.
Until she's older you'll probably have to play when she's asleep. My 2 year old son will get mad if he sees me trying to write. He's never distracted long enough for me to get anything substantial down so I have to move it to nap time or after bedtime with all the other things I need to get done. Trying to work out sucks too
My 3yo did the same. Bought her a ukulele (or as she calls it, her baby guitar) and we have a music box with things like tambourines, horns, drums etc. We have music time a couple times a week where I play guitar or bass and she gets to be as loud as she likes with her instruments. It's a win win because as well as her getting more into music, when she want to play she doesn't reach for my les Paul, she reaches for her toys.
I was in the same boat and my kids hate the guitar and piano I play - but for me, learning some songs they want to hear has been fun and engaging. Never thought I would need to learn “bad to the bone” and transition to “wheels on the bus” but here we are lol
Making music for me is a relaxing, meditative, and creative experience. I need to have undisturbed free time and mental energy. Which means my instrument has been collecting dust quite a bit for years, and I've got several more years to go. It is very sad. I do play from time to time, but it's more about piquing my kids interest than it is about me enjoying it. I enjoy teaching them and watching them learn to play too. Even trying to learn songs they like turns into me making sure they don't destroy anything while they bang around on it.
It passed. My daughter, 4 now was like that around 2 and still sometimes doesn’t want me to play music on her keyboard. She tells me not to play bad notes. But she’s into the guitar now. I have a 3/4 backpacking guitar I tuned to an open chord and she strums it and sings. It’s the best. Now that she knows I can play any and all of the songs she knows she doesn’t mind anymore. She still doesn’t want me to jam or play anything too complicated or too loud but she is warming up. It’s a slow process but she’s starting to become interested in playing songs. It’s all on her time. I don’t want to force any of it on her, so I wait.
Yeah I play saxophone, Irish flutes, bass guitar... My kids either don't care or want to "play" which means pushing buttons randomly. I play when I'm alone in the house.
My daughter is 11 months old and loves when I play my guitar for her, she doesn't get much screen time at this age but sometimes she will get 5-10 minute periods watching jules with ms rachel and she always has a guitar so I believe that is why my daughter loves when I play for her. I try to learn the songs that I know she loves to see jules play and play those for her. We'll see if it changes once she can start expressing herself more
My son hated my guitar playing for reasons I didn't know. Then one day I asked him what song he would like me to play and he said wheels on the bus. So, for years now I would play him songs he likes, then I play what I want. It was a good way of teaching him about taking turns. Someday he would ask me to give him the electric guitar and I'd just let him strum like crazy with no coherence but hey, he loves something that I love so that's a win. He even made songs (i.e. octonauts abc and parts of the ear) to the tune of actual songs that I play.
I also got him a cheap keyboard but he's learning notes on it, he's not ready to jam yet but we'll get there.
So I guess what I'm saying is try to incorporate your kid with your guitar playing. Yes you will have to make some adjustments with the songs you play and even your style but it's a good way to bond in my opinion.
My toddler is the same and it was frustrating a bit, but they lovethe wiggles and I started singing wiggles songs or kids songs like the wheels on the bus or im a little tea pot (just ones They know) and they loved it.
Another idea is to buy your kid a ukulele and do an open tuning so it sounds relatively nice. My toddler will always want what I play so we have 2 ukuleles that we continually switch between.
The other day I played all you need is love and we both sang it and it was amazing. I bet you can get there too
My nearly 3 year old is enjoys when I play guitar or the piano, but *hates* it when I’m on the phone with someone.
I think this is why:
When my son was a few weeks old, I started playing guitar and piano for him. When he was a few months old, he would start to grab the strings and I would teach him to have his fingers outstretched (as opposed to a clinging grab) so he could strum. Music time was for him/us, never just me. I got him a little guitar for $25 to play with me. I’ve always invited him to play with me and be a part of this. And now that he’s nearly three, I can play whenever I like and sometimes he’ll want to join, and sometimes he’ll just continue doing his own thing. He’s never opposed, saddened, or distressed when I’m playing music. I used to be concerned that he could damage my $500 guitar. But in the larger scope of things, what do I care about such an insignificant, replaceable thing compared to my son? Nothing at all compares.
On the other hand, when I’m on the phone, he loses his shit. That is because when I’m on the phone, it’s typically for work purposes and I’ve been task oriented, not showing him any attention, not including him, and I have shut him out of that event. I usually tell him, “Daddy’s busy” and walk away to somewhere where the other person on the phone can’t hear him crying. Then he cries harder.
As a therapist myself, here’s my theory: I have built a pattern of inattention and rejection surrounding my phone usage. So now whenever I’m talking on the phone, he cries because he knows that phone = rejection, as if in his mind I think he he ceases to exist to me (which isn’t true, but what does a toddler know of nuance and patience?) But since I’ve made a pattern of inclusion with me playing guitar and piano, he knows that he is welcome to join if he wants, but doesn’t have to.
Therefore, here’s my suggestion. Be intentional for the next 6 months always trying to include your son when you’re playing guitar. Buy him a cheap toddler toy guitar (with actually working strings, like a plastic ukulele) *and* be brave and patient enough to let him strum on your guitar strings too. Teach him the very basics of how to play, such as how to hold it and how to strum to make noise.
When my son would protest my playing/singing I'd tell him to GTFO. He has since learned that my time to spend on music is important. Not more important than him mind you, but important for me to stay sane and be a happy father.
I know it can be tough for family members of musicians. They get to hear the same song played/performed over and over and over again. But that's what it means to be a musician/performer. You need a space to practice your craft.
So, if they're able to understand, tell them that this is "Daddy's time" and that they're welcome to stay and listen or to go do something else elsewhere in the house.
This is why I haven't touched my violin practically at all in the last 3 years. The only time to play is when they're asleep, and obviously that's not a great time to be squealing on the strings
Mine kind of did the same until I made a deal with them. We take turns. I play a song, then they can play a song. I basically put my fingers on the frets and do chord progressions and they strum with their fingers and sing the cutest love songs. Eventually they say "do the ending one!" and I play a G chord. :p I play acoustic so I don't know if the same would apply if you're talking electric or bass. I definitely did a pre playing lesson with them so they weren't just smacking it lol. They're gentle enough with it I'm fine with them playing.
Of course with all children.... YMMV.
Mom parenting with a guitar-playing dad here - our 2.5 yo is into music, but we’ve also found she has a longer attention span for it when the whole family gets involved. We get out all the kid instruments (one of those Melissa and Doug sets with the tambourines and stuff), kiddo’s cheap ukulele, and some shakers and kazoos, and dad plays guitar while kiddo and I sing, dance, and play kid instruments. He’s also got a mic on a stand and she loves singing into it and hearing her voice come through the amp, especially if he turns on any effect pedals.
We’ve had the most success with songs that have simple rhythms and lots of “La las” or “doo doos.” Hey Jude is a favorite, as is anything the Muppets have ever covered (check YouTube).
Good luck! It’s really fun when you find the permutation that works for your kid!
I got mine other instruments (xylophone, bongos, ukulele) so they can play too. Either way you either jam with them, or they've experienced the joy of making music and are more likely to let you just play. Works most times, some it devolves into noise lol
I actually let my son play with my bass from a really early age.. got a new one gave him my old cheap one to play when I play my bass, that seems to work for the most part, but he still has to help me play mine though
I promise, it’s the attention. I’m a drummer. They don’t like when I play drums, but it’s any hobbies. If I’m playing video games, they want me to stop. If I’m watching soccer, they want me to stop. If I’m reading a book, they want me to stop.
Now, at nearly 6 and 8, I’ve figured out that if I want to do something I enjoy, whether it’s reading, playing Magic with friends, playing piano… I first figure out something for the two of them to do to keep them preoccupied. Right now I’m filling out inflatable pool so I can read for an hour.
I have a similar problem and I used to play piano. My toddler requests for me to play but will only allow me to play jingle bells, some chinese oldies, and Zelda theme which is great but will actively move my hand. Then the twin brother will get jealous and comes to disrupt us all the time or I'm needed to watch both guys. I've given up on playing but I'd suggest if you really want to play, play after she sleeps (and your chores are done). I use what little time I get then to game so I'm prioritizing that but I could also get out my keyboard and headphone to jam then if I prioritized that instead.
Maybe learn some kid songs to include her in your playing, when she feels included she might let you play more. Then you can branch out to tunes you both enjoy and share a bit of your music taste with her.
I bet if you could play any song from Moana you'd never be allowed to not play the guitar 😂
My almost 3yo does the same thing when I play the keyboard. She found the power button and just comes over and turns it off while I'm playing. She'll do it when Mom is sitting next to us so I don't know if it's an attention thing or what.
I play guitar for my 2.5 year old twins as the last step of our bedtime routine each night. They’re bathed, brushed, Jammie’s, read books, and then they’re in bed with lights out and I play a few songs with the last song always being the same one. I’ve done this since they were a few weeks old and they don’t really want me to play during the day. They’ll say “it’s not bedtime silly daddy” lol.
Damn man that’s rough. I typically play after my daughter goes to bed. We’re taking the gentle parenting approach and I’m expecting to just tell my girl that I’m busy practicing and I’m down to play in x minutes when I’m done. (Hopefully) it’ll get practicing patience down and just in general demonstrate that mom and dad have hobbies.
I am a pianist and I can never play because my kids hate it and ruin it for me and bang on the piano or demand kids’ songs. It absolutely sucks.
Not sure how old your kids are. I’ve been demanded to stop more times than I can count. But…. mine are 6, 4, and 2 and the 6 y/o just this week started ‘writing songs’ on his little guitar including lyrics in his little notebook (he can play simplified versions of G, C, and E on a 3 string guitar thing). And the 2 y/o rocks her head to the songs and asks for “again!” So it all evolves. (If you ever hear the songs “Crazy Turtles or “Slick Tires” at the top of the charts, that’s my son!)
Do you happen to have a link/info on that 3 string guitar? That sounds interesting and something my 4 yo would love.
Check top comment, looks like Loog is the brand
Awesome, thanks! That would be so much better than the awful racket their little kids guitar makes.
I’ve been pretty keen on being a parent in the future and having some music moments with my future kids but if that sort of situation happens to me as well I think I’ll probably cry.
I think the kids have to be older. Or just have an interest in music. I just loved it and played piano at age 3 and I wasn’t a genius or anything but I did become a professional pianist. My kids just don’t give a shit. My 7 y/o is very visual and loves creating art and can draw and paint in ways I just cannot. My 5 and 2 y/o are just in their own world. Maybe when they are a bit older they might like music on some level, hopefully.
I think your right. I also started playing piano quite early, haven’t done anything crazy with it but I do compose music as a hobby. It will be awesome to see what your 7 year old ends up doing with their art. The other two will eventually have something they like to do. I remember when I was really little it was more about exposure to tons of different things rather then my parents putting me in a box. It’s good your just letting them do their own thing. Pretty cool you managed to become a professional pianist, the amount of work that goes into that is no joke
Thank you. I was a professional pianist and then later a teacher and then I became a stay at home dad when I had two kids and something had to give. I think you need your own space for your music time or you need to have your kids taken somewhere else so they don't bother you, otherwise it's just beyond frustrating. Thank you - my 7 y/o loves art and visual stuff and drawing and she's far, far better at it then I could ever be even at her age. Maybe one of my younger ones will be into music.
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Oh god I’m so sorry. That is terrible. It sucks so much. If you start to look at writers or musicians or people who did some sort of art that requires them being left alone and literally not disturbed - and I obviously don’t have this - they had like a studio or a barn or some place they went that wasn’t their actual house with their kids present because unless your kids are like 15 and doing their own thing it’s literally impossible.
My son likes to declare he's gonna play a song called "concert madness" and just bang on the keyboard like crazy.
Mine is about to be 4. We had the same problem. Get her one of those [4 string Loog guitars](https://loogguitars.com/) and she'll jam with you. There are times I need to need to play full volume, so then my bride takes her. As yours gets older, it'll be easier to have her play solo so you can, too. At 2, just put the axe down and give her attention. I have two teen sons and I'm dreading the day my mija doesn't ask for my attention all the time.
Or just get a ukulele for less that does almost the same thing. You can get a Ike for like 20-50 bucks.
These are still better though, because if the kid gets hooked they’ll be able to go directly to 6 string electrics or acoustics, and translate their skills without getting discouraged. Also, they’re electric so they’re more versatile. Honestly looks like a fantastic product.
They sell kid guitars that are acoustics with six strings and are still cheaper than these guitars. It is a neat idea but I object to the price jump. Play guitar with my son all the time. I teach guitar professionally.
People skimp on getting nice stuff for their kids and it can really kill the vibe. It's like kids bikes. Lots of shitty kids bikes are incredibly heavy. A lot of the time it's equivalent to an adult riding a bike that weighs 2/3rds of their entire body weight. That being said, a lot of people make a lot of money on selling overly expensive shit to kids who don't know the difference (see: kids shoes). Getting them a standard kids saized acoustic is a great choice. Those 3 strings do look fun though. I wonder what the timbre is like through an amp. Now I want one lol
Yeah these aren’t nice stuff. Poor craftsmanship and not a real instrument especially for 90 bucks. These are crap
Loog guitars are quality though. I have an electric and acoustic and they are vastly better made than the Toys R Us kids guitars. My kids love the electric because... you can crank it up!
These aren’t quality. These are expensive crap.
I thought about it but I think the ukes are a bit more fragile? At least it seems like it I have yet to see the loogs in person.
They are not and they also make quarter sized guitars that have six strings that are cheaper then this weird Frankenguitar.
If you tune it to an open chord and then play in the same key, it doesn’t sound half bad either.
That's a bingo!
Maybe they just don’t want to hear “Wonder-wall”?
I know this is partly a joke, but there is a realness here. Kids don't typically care for, let alone appreciate, music like adults do. My 2.5 yo doesn't care for it when I play my songs on guitar, but if I pick out Twinkle Twinkle or the Bluey theme, she is all about it. For OP, try learning some kids' songs she can sing along to.
This. My kid had zero interest in me playing and actively tried to stop me. Then I got her a ukulele so it can be a together activity and learned the sesame street theme song (her favorite) and other kids songs and it’s something we do together. Sure it’s not as fun for me but it still keeps my fingers in shape and shares my love for music with my kid.
Wheels on the Bus, is my kids (2.75 yo) “FreeBird”! I’ve taken to adding more realistic lines to the song. Based on my own experience riding the bus home. 🎶The kids on the bus, They fell asleep , and missed their stop, Missed their stop,,, all through the town🎶 It gets a giggle sometimes
I got so lucky with my son. He’s been helping me record music since he was two - pushing the record enable button for me haha He always has a music suggestion or two and loves to flip the records for us!
My wife and I have always played pop and rock songs in the house and my two year old is well-versed in a lot of them. He hates Wonderwall, but Champagne Supernova is our ace in the hole when he’s overstimulated or sad or won’t go to sleep. It totally transports him, which, to be fair, it did for me too when I was young and it was the 90s.
Nah, they just need more relevant lyrics: Today is gunna' be the day that we're gunna' go to the park!
My 3 year old is mixed. So what I did? I got a beater classical. I'll hold chords and let him strum and beat on the strings. And I accept that my practice will be different than what I'd like. But it's got him to the point where he'll let me play a few songs. So he does leave me alone sometimes when I'm playing...
I’ve played guitar with my son since he was born so it’s always just been the norm. I’m very grateful that he’s always been interested in it. I think one thing that’s important is to learn songs they know and like. Hint wheels on the bus is literally just D A looped forever. Have fun with it, get them involved. Another thing I’ll do is just loop some simple progressions and sing silly lyrics about whatever. Sometimes that alone is huge entertainment for him and it’s a good exercise for me actually. I’ll second the loog guitar recommendation. Or maybe get her a drum. Or have her do the singing. We do all of the above and it’s honestly my happiest times with my oldest son as he’s super into it. Am I playing hard songs or the types of things I want to all the time? Definitely not but some of happiest moments with my oldest son has been from playing together.
I would say just be clear about your goal and your intentions. If you are trying to be present with her, engage with her, play with her, I would recommend you try to do something she can be involved with. Maybe sing a song she can sing with you. Maybe just make eye contact, play little games with the notes. Play a predictable line but then don't finish it, maybe she'll find it funny or try to sing the last note. If you're trying to practice, I would recommend going into a separate space and clearly indicate you aren't trying to play with her, you are working on something. But ultimately I believe music is meant to be shared, and I think it would be a missed opportunity if you don't end up doing something engaging with her.
This is the same as anything else. Just because you have a hobby doesn’t mean your kid is going to give you a safe space to appreciate it
"Dad gets to do fun things too. You can play somewhere else if you don't want to listen."
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I enjoy playing guitar, but my toddler daughter gets upset whenever I play. Come on! I’m not THAT terrible!
If it makes you feel any better, I have a two-year-old who only lets me sing the “lai-la-lai” part of The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) and complains when I start actually singing a verse.
Sounds difficult, fellow dad and fellow musician. I encourage you that she is just 2 years old and will grow out of this phase. Continue to play music joyfully even if that means when she is not around. I don’t think you’re teaching her any sort of life lesson by putting down the guitar when she’s around other than “okay I will focus on you in this moment”.
I'm right there with you. My little one is 2 1/2. If I play with him in the room he flips out because he wants to play with the guitar. I got him his one little toy guitar, and every once in a while that's enough for him, but mostly he puts it down and wants the one I'm holding. If I close myself in the bedroom to play he stands outside the door and has a meltdown because he can't be in the same room, and I can't concentrate enough to practice anything. I had a full jam room setup in my basement, then my mother in law lost her place, and now she lives down there. I've gotten to the point where I don't even have callouses on my fingers anymore. I'm considering playing in my garage between my toolbox and lawn tractor just to get back into it haha. I spent almost 15 years before he was here playing two or three nights a week though, so I'm ok giving it up for a bit....though I miss it more and more every day.
Play free bird!
I was lucky and my son was obsessed with the guitar since he was old enough to know what it was. Now I have to deal with him wanting to play mine instead of his little guitar. Which is fine, he helps me strum or tries to hold the strings on the fretboard. You probably already are but see if you can include them or get their own one to play. Cheap toy one will be fine. Or bongos, toy piano etc (my son loves all of those too). I could be lucky and just have a toddler who loves music as much as I do. If those don't work you just might have to save playing for when you get some alone time. There are times my son doesn't want me playing mine so we do what he would like to do, building blocks, our own made up games, playing outside. I think at this age (in my opinion) it's more working with them and letting them learn through play rather than trying to impart lessons in your way. Save that for when they are older and understand more around them.
2 is a really tough age for this, but I agree with the top comments about making it something you can connect with her about. My dad plays guitar and sings, and when I was little he had the Raffi song book (I think there are at least two of them) and we would sing together. Some of my best memories are of singing with him while he played. Hang in there, this won't last forever!
Same. My oldest is now 3 and a half and we’ve gone through phases where she wants me to play and times where she doesn’t. If you make it about her, that helps. I make up songs about her and she dances/sings, and I find non-kid songs she likes and learn to play them, then she dances for me. As long as you make it about her doing whatever and not you playing, she’ll be more about it. Also, she’ll get better at playing by herself and you can just play in the same room.
My baby hated my guitar playing. Same kid 6 months later as a toddler gets upset when I stop playing before bedtime (I play him a few songs before bed). Kids change.
It’s difficult but yesterday we were singing away together with a few of her favourite songs which was really good fun. Embrace the Disney.
Have you tried playing baby shark Doo, doo, da, Doo, da, doo?
Maybe try bass? jk jk I have a daughter about the same age. She loves when I play. I try to involve her as much as I can. Let her strum the bass, plug it in, anything to be a part of the experience. I also play music she likes. Mainly from the TV show Bluey. So my advice is, involve her more. Edit: Pedals. She loves stomping pedals and playing with the knobs.
Dang, she seems to have started future wife training early! But she seems to be a quick study.
My toddler is shit at mountain biking and she can’t walk never mind run a 5K so some of my hobbies are better alone. Thank god they sleep for 12 hours.
I got my little guy a ukulele. He loves it. He'll also sit down as my piano. It's not that he doesn't like when I play something, it's more that he wants whatever I'm holding. So now he's got his own instruments as a buffer.
Learn baby beluga!
Both of my kids (4 and 3) used to do the same whenever I would sit down at the piano. To be honest, sometime they still do. What worked best for me was to let them "play" with me if they wanted, or to play songs that they liked (from kid shows, lullabies, other songs that their mother and I sing to them, etc). Now my son has a piece he asks me to play on repeat, constantly, until I get sick of win, so I guess it's sort of a win?
If I could play guitar, I’d start singing about how you love playing guitar and why she should join you, cause your cool and what dad does, will make you cool.
We had a similar issue - both of ours wanted to be so involved in the new, exciting thing that they had to drop everything and come press all the buttons they could reach! We have to have multiple practices - one where we can take turns between us and the little ones, and then later one where we can do what we want. Hiding things from kids makes them want it more, and they are hardwired to want to copy what mum and dad are doing anyway. All little ones can "help" by playing some small drums/tambourines. When they got a bit bigger they got their own instruments- a mini guitar, recorders, a (very cheap) trumpet so they could be like mummy and daddy and play along, and that helped buy us time to play what we wanted.
Mom here hope that’s ok. Boundaries are important. I would explain with simple words: dad is playing guitar now! We can play together in 10 minutes. Set a timer. But don’t give in because it’s very important that kids know they are our BIGGEST priority but not our only priority!
Learn songs she likes. My kid loves the wiggles so I learned fruit salad and big red car and she’s much more into it. I’m a bass player so I just switch to the acoustic guitar so I don’t bore her with the root notes.
Same boat. I’ve recently started having a couple of little goes here and there but can’t really spend any time with it. One day…
I played the ABC song while my 5 year old daughter sang the other day, we did it about five times. It was sweet, toddlers and guitars do not get along but it will get easier and enjoyable again. Brush up on your nursery rhymes, That might allow you to play.
I have a 4.5 year old and am still trying to figure this one out….he does however like keyboards and drums sometimes.
I play guitar after I’ve put them to bed or when my partner is out with them. Impossible to play guitar with them around.
My daughter was the same way at that age when I played music. She's 5 now and is a little more tolerant. There's not much you can do, just accept that the kid isn't into it at that stage in their life. It's not personal! I did get a better reaction when I played instrumental versions of Twinkle Twinkle and other nursery rhymes.
My 2 year old son hated it, my 2 year old daughter loves it. Regardless, I think she'll grow in to it, dude.
My kid is obsessed with my guitars and piano. He has a little $15 guitar off Amazon that he’s smashed around and runs to get when he sees me grab a guitar, maybe try that
Bummer my twins 2 yo boys love the guitar and wail bounce/dance and clap for me whenever I stop lol Maybe in time she’ll like it
I got mine a crappy uke to just swipe at and smack while I played, we played his together first for awhile. My kid is 3 now and likes to dance and play shakers while I play, so maybe a little less interested in the guitar itself but it's a fun time we share together. I think that's just the way it goes sometimes.
Bass player and I had a similar experience when my son was very young. It sucks but it gets better with time.
Went through this. It gets better just keep working at it. I ended up buying a ukulele for my little one and she would sit there and strum along while I played. Now she's just starting grade 1 piano and seems to have the music bug. Love it!
Buy some headphones?
I like to build model kits as a hobbies and as a channel to my what ever emotion, yeahhh. It’s been 10 years and 6 unopened Gundam kits because I lost a v fin from one in display. Had to put them all in the garage or just keep them in the box in my closet. I tried waking up earlier or trying it after they sleep and no success as I am exhausted and need the time to decompress. Yeah, I tried other hobbie but the are hobbies destroying / cock blockering little human draculas.
Do you play electric? If you have a wah pedal or anything that has an expression input then they can help you “play guitar” by manning the pedal. Yea it takes some getting used to but it can really keep them occupied. We also have a decent ukulele for my daughter and a plastic pos one for my 2yo son. It’s unbreakable haha.
Man, I guess I’m lucky. I just started playing guitar again after a 2 year break, and my 18 month and 2 year old seem to love it when I’m practicing Slayer and Metallica
Wake up 2 hours before everyone else or stay up late. My most productive time is when the rest of the house is asleep.
OP I feel for you. Around when my kid was two she would actively stop me whenever I played guitar, piano, or even sang. Maybe it’s because I like to sing silly in the car and I think it’s fun to annoy her like that some times, maybe it’s something in her head I don’t understand. I even learned “you got a friend in me” when she was WAY into Toy Story, and even then she simply ignored me on good days. I would recommend trying songs she knows and see if she takes to it like others have said, but I also make things a bit transactional. You want to paint? Okay, I’ll get them out and then I’m going to practice guitar while you do that. You want me to paint with you? Okay, I’ll paint for 10 minutes and then I’m going to practice. And more than anything, don’t take it personal! A child’s mind is something difficult to understand, and at some point your kid is going to think it’s really cool you can play music.
My wife has the opposite problem. Whenever she wants to play piano or sing, so does my kid. He'll hop onto the stool and try to play with her
Had the same problem. Started practicing late at night. Live in an apartment so got a Yamaha silent guitar. They grow out of it eventually.
Same boat!!! I have written both my kids songs and they hate when I pull out my guitar!
They grow out of it. My son wasn’t a big fan of me playing when he was younger. His favorite game was to ask for my pick and throw it in the shoundhole of my acoustic lol.
I’ve just accepted that my daughter wants to touch and play with the guitar when I pull it out. My hope is that she’ll remain interested later on.
Until she's older you'll probably have to play when she's asleep. My 2 year old son will get mad if he sees me trying to write. He's never distracted long enough for me to get anything substantial down so I have to move it to nap time or after bedtime with all the other things I need to get done. Trying to work out sucks too
My 3yo did the same. Bought her a ukulele (or as she calls it, her baby guitar) and we have a music box with things like tambourines, horns, drums etc. We have music time a couple times a week where I play guitar or bass and she gets to be as loud as she likes with her instruments. It's a win win because as well as her getting more into music, when she want to play she doesn't reach for my les Paul, she reaches for her toys.
I was in the same boat and my kids hate the guitar and piano I play - but for me, learning some songs they want to hear has been fun and engaging. Never thought I would need to learn “bad to the bone” and transition to “wheels on the bus” but here we are lol
Give them instruments and jam with them? Worked for me.
Making music for me is a relaxing, meditative, and creative experience. I need to have undisturbed free time and mental energy. Which means my instrument has been collecting dust quite a bit for years, and I've got several more years to go. It is very sad. I do play from time to time, but it's more about piquing my kids interest than it is about me enjoying it. I enjoy teaching them and watching them learn to play too. Even trying to learn songs they like turns into me making sure they don't destroy anything while they bang around on it.
Youngest doesn’t like me singing songs that aren’t ‘her songs’
My daughter was the same way, my son however loves it when we play 'tar'.
Our 2yo oscillates - some days she loves it and will strum with me; others she will try and move it off my lap ASAP.
My three year old just wants to detune my guitar every time I play. I hate it.
It passed. My daughter, 4 now was like that around 2 and still sometimes doesn’t want me to play music on her keyboard. She tells me not to play bad notes. But she’s into the guitar now. I have a 3/4 backpacking guitar I tuned to an open chord and she strums it and sings. It’s the best. Now that she knows I can play any and all of the songs she knows she doesn’t mind anymore. She still doesn’t want me to jam or play anything too complicated or too loud but she is warming up. It’s a slow process but she’s starting to become interested in playing songs. It’s all on her time. I don’t want to force any of it on her, so I wait.
Buy her a toy guitar to practice with you
Yeah I play saxophone, Irish flutes, bass guitar... My kids either don't care or want to "play" which means pushing buttons randomly. I play when I'm alone in the house.
My daughter is 11 months old and loves when I play my guitar for her, she doesn't get much screen time at this age but sometimes she will get 5-10 minute periods watching jules with ms rachel and she always has a guitar so I believe that is why my daughter loves when I play for her. I try to learn the songs that I know she loves to see jules play and play those for her. We'll see if it changes once she can start expressing herself more
My son hated my guitar playing for reasons I didn't know. Then one day I asked him what song he would like me to play and he said wheels on the bus. So, for years now I would play him songs he likes, then I play what I want. It was a good way of teaching him about taking turns. Someday he would ask me to give him the electric guitar and I'd just let him strum like crazy with no coherence but hey, he loves something that I love so that's a win. He even made songs (i.e. octonauts abc and parts of the ear) to the tune of actual songs that I play. I also got him a cheap keyboard but he's learning notes on it, he's not ready to jam yet but we'll get there. So I guess what I'm saying is try to incorporate your kid with your guitar playing. Yes you will have to make some adjustments with the songs you play and even your style but it's a good way to bond in my opinion.
Electric guitar, headphones, play after she goes to bed
I make up songs on the spot and my son loves it. Make the songs silly and they’ll request more playing.
I’m a drummer. The kid is just gonna have to get used to it. The neighbours did.
My toddler is the same and it was frustrating a bit, but they lovethe wiggles and I started singing wiggles songs or kids songs like the wheels on the bus or im a little tea pot (just ones They know) and they loved it. Another idea is to buy your kid a ukulele and do an open tuning so it sounds relatively nice. My toddler will always want what I play so we have 2 ukuleles that we continually switch between. The other day I played all you need is love and we both sang it and it was amazing. I bet you can get there too
My nearly 3 year old is enjoys when I play guitar or the piano, but *hates* it when I’m on the phone with someone. I think this is why: When my son was a few weeks old, I started playing guitar and piano for him. When he was a few months old, he would start to grab the strings and I would teach him to have his fingers outstretched (as opposed to a clinging grab) so he could strum. Music time was for him/us, never just me. I got him a little guitar for $25 to play with me. I’ve always invited him to play with me and be a part of this. And now that he’s nearly three, I can play whenever I like and sometimes he’ll want to join, and sometimes he’ll just continue doing his own thing. He’s never opposed, saddened, or distressed when I’m playing music. I used to be concerned that he could damage my $500 guitar. But in the larger scope of things, what do I care about such an insignificant, replaceable thing compared to my son? Nothing at all compares. On the other hand, when I’m on the phone, he loses his shit. That is because when I’m on the phone, it’s typically for work purposes and I’ve been task oriented, not showing him any attention, not including him, and I have shut him out of that event. I usually tell him, “Daddy’s busy” and walk away to somewhere where the other person on the phone can’t hear him crying. Then he cries harder. As a therapist myself, here’s my theory: I have built a pattern of inattention and rejection surrounding my phone usage. So now whenever I’m talking on the phone, he cries because he knows that phone = rejection, as if in his mind I think he he ceases to exist to me (which isn’t true, but what does a toddler know of nuance and patience?) But since I’ve made a pattern of inclusion with me playing guitar and piano, he knows that he is welcome to join if he wants, but doesn’t have to. Therefore, here’s my suggestion. Be intentional for the next 6 months always trying to include your son when you’re playing guitar. Buy him a cheap toddler toy guitar (with actually working strings, like a plastic ukulele) *and* be brave and patient enough to let him strum on your guitar strings too. Teach him the very basics of how to play, such as how to hold it and how to strum to make noise.
When my son would protest my playing/singing I'd tell him to GTFO. He has since learned that my time to spend on music is important. Not more important than him mind you, but important for me to stay sane and be a happy father. I know it can be tough for family members of musicians. They get to hear the same song played/performed over and over and over again. But that's what it means to be a musician/performer. You need a space to practice your craft. So, if they're able to understand, tell them that this is "Daddy's time" and that they're welcome to stay and listen or to go do something else elsewhere in the house.
This is why I haven't touched my violin practically at all in the last 3 years. The only time to play is when they're asleep, and obviously that's not a great time to be squealing on the strings
Congratulations. You are a parent now.
Mine kind of did the same until I made a deal with them. We take turns. I play a song, then they can play a song. I basically put my fingers on the frets and do chord progressions and they strum with their fingers and sing the cutest love songs. Eventually they say "do the ending one!" and I play a G chord. :p I play acoustic so I don't know if the same would apply if you're talking electric or bass. I definitely did a pre playing lesson with them so they weren't just smacking it lol. They're gentle enough with it I'm fine with them playing. Of course with all children.... YMMV.
Mom parenting with a guitar-playing dad here - our 2.5 yo is into music, but we’ve also found she has a longer attention span for it when the whole family gets involved. We get out all the kid instruments (one of those Melissa and Doug sets with the tambourines and stuff), kiddo’s cheap ukulele, and some shakers and kazoos, and dad plays guitar while kiddo and I sing, dance, and play kid instruments. He’s also got a mic on a stand and she loves singing into it and hearing her voice come through the amp, especially if he turns on any effect pedals. We’ve had the most success with songs that have simple rhythms and lots of “La las” or “doo doos.” Hey Jude is a favorite, as is anything the Muppets have ever covered (check YouTube). Good luck! It’s really fun when you find the permutation that works for your kid!
I got mine other instruments (xylophone, bongos, ukulele) so they can play too. Either way you either jam with them, or they've experienced the joy of making music and are more likely to let you just play. Works most times, some it devolves into noise lol
I actually let my son play with my bass from a really early age.. got a new one gave him my old cheap one to play when I play my bass, that seems to work for the most part, but he still has to help me play mine though
I have a toy accordion and my kids scream whenever I play it. Like hell kids... it's YOUR toy.
I promise, it’s the attention. I’m a drummer. They don’t like when I play drums, but it’s any hobbies. If I’m playing video games, they want me to stop. If I’m watching soccer, they want me to stop. If I’m reading a book, they want me to stop. Now, at nearly 6 and 8, I’ve figured out that if I want to do something I enjoy, whether it’s reading, playing Magic with friends, playing piano… I first figure out something for the two of them to do to keep them preoccupied. Right now I’m filling out inflatable pool so I can read for an hour.
Play after she's gone to bed. You hit the nail on the head. You're not paying her attention. That's your job.
I have a similar problem and I used to play piano. My toddler requests for me to play but will only allow me to play jingle bells, some chinese oldies, and Zelda theme which is great but will actively move my hand. Then the twin brother will get jealous and comes to disrupt us all the time or I'm needed to watch both guys. I've given up on playing but I'd suggest if you really want to play, play after she sleeps (and your chores are done). I use what little time I get then to game so I'm prioritizing that but I could also get out my keyboard and headphone to jam then if I prioritized that instead.
Maybe learn some kid songs to include her in your playing, when she feels included she might let you play more. Then you can branch out to tunes you both enjoy and share a bit of your music taste with her. I bet if you could play any song from Moana you'd never be allowed to not play the guitar 😂
The Paw Patrol theme slaps. Learn that and she'll be begging you to play it until you hate your guitar. Problem solved.
My almost 3yo does the same thing when I play the keyboard. She found the power button and just comes over and turns it off while I'm playing. She'll do it when Mom is sitting next to us so I don't know if it's an attention thing or what.
I play guitar for my 2.5 year old twins as the last step of our bedtime routine each night. They’re bathed, brushed, Jammie’s, read books, and then they’re in bed with lights out and I play a few songs with the last song always being the same one. I’ve done this since they were a few weeks old and they don’t really want me to play during the day. They’ll say “it’s not bedtime silly daddy” lol.
Damn man that’s rough. I typically play after my daughter goes to bed. We’re taking the gentle parenting approach and I’m expecting to just tell my girl that I’m busy practicing and I’m down to play in x minutes when I’m done. (Hopefully) it’ll get practicing patience down and just in general demonstrate that mom and dad have hobbies.
Can you get her more involved? Play songs she likes and sing them together
My little girl does the same thing she is two almost three did you figure it out lol