Both his parents were very musical and facilitated Emīls's first musical education. His father, being an amateur musician and conductor of a local choir, taught his son to play the piano. Dārziņš's attachment to music became stronger after he almost lost his eyesight at the age of 3, as a result of overstraining it while reading.
Both Emīls' parents were musically inclined and played a role in his early musical education. His father was an amateur musician and choir conductor who taught him piano, and Dārziņš developed a strong love for music after nearly losing his sight at age 3 due to overexertion while reading.