How Music Bonds Families

By Dr. Klondike Steadman

When one of my students was struggling, I encouraged her to learn about her family’s favorite music. She discovered that her aunt loved the song “Gonna Lay Down My Sword and Shield”, and so she decided to play it with her two younger sisters at a family reunion.

​Over the next few months, her practice accelerated, she mastered difficult music theory concepts, and she began to play with joy and zeal.

Sisters, Misha and Ashima, perform a duet for our Musical Postcards for Seniors project (jump to 1:08).

When the sisters performed the piece at their family reunion, they felt a huge sense of accomplishment because their performance had special meaning for their family. 

Maybe you can think of a song that is particularly significant for you and your family? 

​Lucas plays the bass line to a song called "The Erie Canal" while his sister Emma improvises along to it. 

Music can connect you to friends and strangers living miles away (just ask the thousands of seniors who’ve received our Musical Postcards), but it also has the power to strengthen your bond with those closest to you: your family.

Few activities bond families in the powerful way that music does. 

Alex and his mom play a duet .