do kids who play music have parents who play music?

[Anonymous]

My husband’s family has three generations of professional musicians including his brief time before he quit. My son plays guitar.

I do think musicality runs in families. On the other hand no one in my family can sing. Horrible tone deafness. My youngest wanted to sing in musical theatre and I was hoping she would be the exception. But no, she’s as bad as the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

My sister and I didn't. We wanted to play an instrument so much, we took a bus to entrance exam and got enrolled and then told them.

[Anonymous]

I think that in general most kids end up doing activities that one of their parents did. Most of my friends with kids who play lax have a parent who has played, same with soccer, year-round swim. I don't think music is different in that regard. That said, I have kid who is very serious about music (practices for hours a day, first chair in one of the regional youth orchestras, participates in competitive summer programs). I never played an instrument and can't tell the difference between a half note and a quarter note. At times it is tricky for me to navigate this music world and it is impossible for me to tell for myself if my kid is any good - but the other parents are generally friendly and have given me some good advice and my kid's teacher helps us navigate things. I don't think my kid has much innate talent but as some of the PPs have said, daily serious practice pays off with music. And the nice thing with music is that they can do most of that practice in their bedroom - so you don't have to drive them around as much as for many sports.