Ever wonder why you should learn music or play an instrument? Here are our Top 8 Reasons to Learn Music.
1)FUN! ENJOYMENT! I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best reason to learn/play music is for your own enjoyment. You should want to play. If others like what you do that's great, but you should enjoy it first. If you do, then that feeling of joy and fun will almost automatically pour through your music and any listeners will also feel it (and ideally enjoy it, too)!
2)Better intellectual capacity and sharpened memory. More and more studies are showing that learning and playing music can help to increase brain function. Check out this article about a Stanford University study indicating how learning music can help how the brain processes spoken words. The researchers think there may be a link to helping with Dyslexia and other reading problems. Wow!
Music Creates Inner Peace
3)Discipline and Patience. The process of learning how to play an instrument or learn music theory or even vocal technique is a many layered journey. It is a fun and rewarding adventure, but it does take time, effort, practice, discipline and patience. The payoff is huge, though! The feeling one gets when mastering a new chord, song or technique is second to none. And these learned attributes of patience, perseverance and discipline transcend into everyday life situations constantly.
4)Stress Relief! Ever have "one of those days" where things just seem to drive you crazy? Well, when you play music you have a natural outlet for your stress. Many studies are showing the wonderful benefits of playing music and among them are stress relief. Read this article in Medical News Today observing the stress relieving characteristics of learning and playing music.
5)Achievement & Self Esteem. There is nothing like the feeling of learning and perfecting something. And when it's music, that feeling is even more pronounced! Imagine learning and then singing/playing your favorite song for someone else or a whole audience of people. The hard work of learning that music pays off with the most wonderful feeling of self worth and accomplishment!
Music Builds Self Esteem
6)Communication of Emotions and Feelings. For some people music is their outlet. People who may have trouble expressing themselves have a creative and, in some cases, a non-destructive way of communicating what they may be feeling. From On-Top-of-The-World happiness to desperate loneliness or sadness, with music these feelings can be portrayed in a healthy way.
7)Teamwork. Yes, team building characteristics can be found in playing music. If you want to be in a band, orchestra, group, or any other form of music with more than one person, you have to work with others. In an orchestra, you are part of a specific group of instruments that must work well with the other parts. In a rock band, you are one of a group of players that must interact and work well with the other players. And, if you want that band to go anywhere you really have to be a "team player". It's not always just about one person!
8)Learn Social Skills. Closely related to Teamwork, above, most musicians meet and interact with many other people, musicians and non-musicians alike. The ability to communicate and behave with others, whether your music teacher, band or orchestra member, friend or, down the road perhaps, a club owner, an audience member, or even your own student, is a skill learned through the musical experience itself.
As a musician/player for over 15 years and now in the music business (retail) for the last twelve years, I can honestly say that music has changed my life - definitely for the better! Try it for yourself or for your child.
