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Why
Should My Child Learn an Instrument?
There is international acclaim to the value of music education within
our society especially at school level. Considerable research has been carried out in various countries around the world verifying
the fact.
As early as the 1950's a series of experiments were carried out in Hungary
to test the benefits of learning music at primary school. This test was only one of several more to follow. The results of
which are all very similar.
Music Increases Memorizing Capacity.
Music students showed evidence of greater memory
training. This is an important quality for students to develop to enable higher academic achievement.
Music Improves Reasoning Capacity
There is proof from these studies
that students learning music had enhanced comprehension skills.
A far greater percentage of music students understood
the story they were asked to read compared with non-music students.
Music Also Improves Pupil's Time
Management and Organizational Skills.
Students need to organise themselves
to attend lessons and band rehearsals and therefore arrangement their schedules to prepare their songs etc.. for the lessons.
They are expected to attend promptly at the correct time also need to remember to bring the correct equipment to their lessons
and band. This is assisting the child to develop basic life skills.
Music students develop and improve these skills
over time with the benefits relected in their academic achievement and success later in life.
Music Fosters the Development of
Team Skills
Music seeks to improve the student's team skills, especially
when the student is part of an instrumental music program where they are a member of the band and other ensemble groups. As
in other team activities all members have a role to play. All members are important and must learn to work as a team.
A recent survey
in the USA showed that an average of 20% of high school students are enrolled in an instrumental music
program.
Look at these figures!
The survey revealed
that 80% of the academic awards are consistently gained by this 20% group of music
students.
Did You Know?
Music is
Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which the students must do
instantaneously whilst playing their instrument.
This enhances their mathematical ability.
Music
is a Foreign Language.
Most of the musical terms that are used throughout a piece
of music are either Italian, German or French. The musical notation itself is a highly developed form of shorthand that uses
symbols to represent ideas. It is believed to be the most complete and universal language.
Music is
History.
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation. Students learn
a variety of different types of music including folk songs and songs from various cultures and times.
Music is
Physical Education.
Learning to play an instrument requires coordination of fingers, hands,
arms, cheek and facial muscles in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragm, back, stomach and chest muscles leading
to the development of a higher level of athletic fitness.
Various
Other Health Benefits.
Learning a wind instrument can sometimes help with respiratory
disorders such as asthma - because of the development of the lungs that occurs in response to playing these instruments.
The
area of Music Therapy is vast. It is suffice to say here that the benefits to many health problems are noteworthy.
Other Benefits
Include:
The fostering of self-expression, emotional intelligence and responsibility. The
development of discipline, pride, concentration and social communication as well as the development of physical coordination
and problem solving skills.
In Summary:
Music improves concentration, listening
ability (both internal and external), reading and comprehension ability, mathematical perception, coordination and ability
to maintain a relaxed focus and so on.
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