Age-appropriate music for children can be hard to come by, let alone children’s groups. Amid this scarcity, however, a children’s group from Malang, East Java, released a mini album on Sunday, March 24. The group is called 3Nada and Friends, and consists of Gizel (guitar), Bulan (bass), Nana (vocal), Dzaky (vocal), Amey (keyboard) and Bintang (drum). They are all elementary school students in Malang.

Members of children's band 3Nada and Friends at the launch of their mini album 'Sebuah Langkah Awal'. (JP/Nedi Putra AW)

3Nada and Friends’ mini album is titled Sebuah Langkah Awal (An Early Step), and was made independently by a group of musicians and creative workers in Malang.

Norman Tjio, a guitarist from indie band C-Four, which is based in Malang, was one of the music arrangers for the mini album that comprises three songs namely "Hey", "Kenangan Indah" (Sweet Memory) and "Dengarkan Doaku" (Listen To My Prayers).

The children’s band leans toward rock, a choice of genre that is not very common in their age group.

Isa Aprilia, producer of 3Nada and Friends, told The Jakarta Post that the band members were her students at a music school she ran.

“They have been studying music since they were in kindergarten,” said Isa.

She added that the children had learned to play different kinds of music, but that rock excited them the most.

“They began by covering a number of songs from Metallica, Genesis and Indonesia’s God Bless at several performances, and from there became confident that they could create their own mini album in 2019,” said Isa.

The three songs on the mini album, "Hey", "Kenangan Indah" and "Dengarkan Doaku" share messages about caring for one another, happy childhood memories and being thankful to one’s parents, respectively.

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The band has also created music videos that can be watched on YouTube. The band hopes to inspire other children to use their spare time in positive ways, to socialize and communicate with each other more and be less dependent on gadgets.

Norman Tjio said the band members’ talent impressed him, but expressed concern the band might not last very long, as the children would grow up, pursue formal education or maybe move to different cities with their parents.

“I also feel that most children’s interest in learning music has declined,” said Norman.

He nevertheless felt that 3Nada and Friends had brought hope to the Indonesian music scene. (mut)