October is a fun time to help kids get into music and maybe try an instrument to spark a love of music. Start with kid-friendly Halloween songs and easy beats with simple melodies. Get creative with your own spooky sound effects. When it clicks, hand them an instrument and encourage them to make some noise on the piano or beat a drum, let them explore. To make the jump from playful noise to a simple song, add a couple of quick, low-pressure lessons focused on one riff, one rhythm and a short play-through.
If you’re looking for a place to start, the ideas below will get you moving fast. Mix and match what fits your kid’s style and age.
Create Short Playlists to Inspire and Excite
Mix one classical, one pop and one theme song. If you want to get a little spookier, add a few spine-tingling songs and soundtracks:
- Classical mood: “Monster Mash” or “I Put a Spell on You”
- Pop vibe: “Somebody’s Watching Me,” “Disturbia” or “Spooky, Scary Skeletons”
- Theme hooks: “Ghostbusters,” “The Addams Family” or “This Is Halloween”
- Spine-tingling songs: “Thriller,” “Bad Mood Rising” or “Werewolves of London”
Get Spooky with New Instruments but Keep it Simple
For beginners, tiny wins matter. Some of the same favorite songs from your soundtrack can be easy to play or sing as well. Pick shorter songs with catchy themes and clear patterns:
- Piano/Keyboard: “The Addams Family” (snaps!), “In the Hall of the Mountain King” (creepy crescendo), easy minor-key five-note patterns
- Guitar/Ukulele: “Ghostbusters” (iconic hook), “Monster Mash” (steady strum), two-chord spooky loops
- Voice and Percussion: “Five Little Pumpkins,” “Skin and Bones,” body-percussion footsteps and door-knocks for jump-scares
Age-by-age Ideas (fast wins)
- Ages 4–6: Call-and-response chants, clapping “boo” rhythms, marching to slow/fast “monster” tempos
- Ages 7–9: One-hand keyboard riffs, ukulele two-chord songs, rhythm cups with “spooky, cauldron or witch-es-brew syllables
- Ages 10–12: Left-hand bass lines, simple harmonies, DIY sound design (keyboard effects, pedal tremolo)
Mini Practice Games That Feel Like Play
- Monster Minutes: A few five-minute rounds with melody and rhythm. Stickers earn treats
- Trick-or-Tempo: Draw a card: Largo (slow like a lurking cat) or Allegro (quick like a bat)
- Haunted Loop: Record a four-beat pattern on a keyboard or app, layer in a spooky note or two, and boom—instant soundtrack
Build a Kid-made Soundtrack
Households are full of special effects:
- Thunder: Low piano clusters or a baking sheet shake
- Creaks/Whispers: Violin bow on the edge of a cymbal (with help) or gentle paper rustle near a mic
- Footsteps: Practice pad and metronome for suspense
Have your child score a 30-second “haunted hallway” video on your phone
Parents Tips to Motivate
- Keep goals tiny (“master the snap pattern,” not “the whole song”)
- Celebrate sound over perfection, spooky textures are part of the fun
- Try low-stakes performances: living-room “monster recitals,” classroom entry music or front-porch mini shows
Let the Music Play
Want help picking a beginner-friendly instrument or starting lessons? We’re happy to help you get started and match your child with an instructor. Call (330) 342-7317, email us at sean@westernreservemusic.com or stop by the shop.
