Music in the Home

In the introduction to his fascinating two tape series called Music and the Mind, Michael Ballam shares the story of a boy who was only trouble at school. Then he went home with a friend whose large family spent many evenings ‘jamming’ together on their instruments. The delinquent took up the violin and his behavior radically altered.
If I had it to do over again, I would have had all my children learn to play an instrument early in life and would have spent more time enjoying music together.
Music is called the universal language. Good music is orderly and expresses the design of the Creator. This is no doubt the main reason why children, subjected to orderly music from infancy or before consistently outscore others in math skills. Music itself has a message beyond the words, a message of despair or of hope, of confusion or of order. Immerse your children in good, orderly music.
Learning to play an instrument is also part of brain development. The motor part of the brain is in a different location from the artistic part. Playing an instrument as a child connects these two and actually increases intelligence. Both Jefferson and Einstein kept a violin nearby to play when their creative thoughts lagged.
Of course, the greatest expression of music is that which praises the Lord in both music and words. Scripture contains an entire book of songs and music is central many other places. (see 2 Chronicles 20 for an example) Notice in 2 Chronicles how music increased in value when the king of Judah was righteous, and disappeared when he was wicked. The New Testament tells us to speak “to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19) Hymnbooks are inexpensive and contain a wealth of songs that praise and thank God, teach sound doctrine, and share God-honoring testimony.
Do you sing together as a family? If your excuse is that you can’t carry a tune, don’t worry about that. You don’t need recording quality to praise the Lord and teach your children the value of good music. In fact, it isn’t to be a performance but a praise, so “make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.” (Psalm 100:1)
Finally, should a father forbid worldly music in his home if his children like it? I never faced that since I introduced my children to good music from birth and played good recordings often. However, if you do, remember that music gives a message and sets a mood. I am responsible for my home environment and would not want anything clearly dishonoring to the Lord to be present.