Parenting: Why learn a musical instrument

Why Learn a Musical Instrument?
What learning a musical instrument can do for you or, your child.

Today, we will focuses on the parenting side of things, in particular, what are the benefits of your child learning a musical instrument. Detailed below, are ten reasons why they should...the benefits may be greater than you think.


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1. ENJOYMENT:
It is great to listen to, and appreciate music, and even better to be able to play it. To do so does require considerable hard work and perseverance (both rather unpopular concepts in this age of instant gratification).However most students are able to, at least, manage simple melody lines of favourite songs, together with a basic chordal accompaniment in the left hand - with a moderate amount of application.

2. CO-ORDINATION
Learning a musical instrument will improve co-ordination - this is particularly so of keyboard instruments. Eye hand co-ordination is developed, plus the ability to play different notes, motifs and rhythms with each hand. Try tapping a simple rhythm with your right hand on your knee, whilst establishing a counter rhythm on your left. This may give you an understanding of the co-ordination required. It also develops physical awareness - You really need to be aware of what your hands or feet are doing.

3. CONCENTRATION
Music requires you to play different notes, with different fingers, in either hand to a particular rhythm. This just has to make you concentrate!! It will certainly improve your ability to multi-task. Studying music also helps to develop a sense of discipline and commitment to a particular activity, regular effort is the only way to gain success!

4. SHARING WITH OTHERS
Music can often be a sharing activity, even from the beginner stage, with some instruments it provides easy entry into groups / School bands / Choirs / Small bands with friends / Church groups / Local orchestras.

5. CREATIVITY
Music develops your creativity. You all know the type of music you enjoy, once the basics are learnt, you all have the ability to write the music you like - even if it is a simple melody line. When playing existing music, there is always the opportunity to put in something of yourself, and your feelings. A piece of music that you are learning is a little like a painting canvas, the picture is there - but you - the artist can add the colour, the light and shade and the highlights.

6. NO ROOM FOR BOREDOM If you learn a musical instrument you will always have “Something to do when there’s nothing to do”. Learning music should be the start of an interest to last your whole life!

7. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Music asks you to be an active participant. You are in control of playing it, creating it and, (dare I say it). Practicing it!! Compare this to watching DVD’s TV, Foxtel, listening to CD’s. These are passive activities - certainly you may be listening, evaluating performances - but - you are not the performer. Playing music puts you in charge. You are the one doing something, creating and living. Maybe others will listen to you!

8. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
Have you ever thought how wonderful it would be, if everyone in the world could speak one language?? Well - Musicians can!! When my own children were attending a SUZUKI pan pacific music conference, young musicians from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji and Australia could all join together in making music.

9. RELAXATION
Playing music, really thinking about the song you are playing, feeling the mood of the piece are a productive way of relaxing, escaping from things that may be worrying you. Unlike some ways of escaping from the pressures of our rushed world - music is drug and alcohol free and provides a very beneficial sense of well being.

10. ACHIEVEMENT
Lots of small goals along the way add up to a sense of achievement, when learning a musical instrument. Learning to read music/ learning to count uneven (syncopated) beats/ being able to play those few bars that you had found difficult/ your first performance etc. these small steps all lead the way to developing your musical self. Your feeling of confidence as you reach particular goals may help you to feel confident to aim for goals outside of music. (School/ Work and Professional).I believe there are two groups of people in the world. There are those out there doing things - Sports/ Music/ Arts/ Science etc., and those watching and waiting. When you are older, looking back on your life, you’ll be pleased you were a doer, not a spectator. You don’t have to become an expert - you may not be the next world famous pianist, or the greatest pop star, But you will have tried to attain your best, and you may surprise yourself along the way. Music can be a friend and a sourse of joy for life. Good luck on your musical journey.

Fran Collings (B.A. ATMUSA MIMT Music teacher 20 Years)


A little additional information - cited from melbournes child (april 2006)

· SECONDARY STUDENTS PARTICAPATING IN MUSIC, BAND OR ORCHESTRA HAVE THE LOWEST USE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SMOKING.
· U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDY REVEALED THAT STUDENTS INVOLVED IN MUSIC HAVE HIGHER LEVELS OF MATHS PROFICIENCY BY YEAR 12.
· LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND INTELLIGENCE - MUSIC IS SUPERIOR TO COMPUTER INSTRUCTION IN HELPING ABSTRACT REASONING SKILLS.
· MUSIC HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE.
· LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT REQUIRES HEAPS OF DISIPLINE AND COMMITMENT - BUT GIVES MUCH MORE IN RETURN!!