Learning Instruments - Marnie Harrington
(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post. Or you could just skip to it straight away!)
Getting kids to learn music and play instruments can be tough at times but it does has many benefits! Here are a list of reasons why children should always have the opportunity to play music!
Beat and bar division, scales, rhythm and musical intervals all use similar mental skills as maths does. It can develop
language learning
skills and give your child exposure into diverse cultures just through the different music they play! They'll learn to recognize patterns, learn a cool new musical 'language' and improve quick reflexes!
-Social development and teamwork
If you involve your child in a band, your child will undoubtedly learn great and essential team working skills. They will have to listen around to hear how their part fits in with the rest, learn to communicate with their fellow band members and conductor for feedback on what they can do with their individual part to make the whole band sound better! Bands build great friendships and connections early on and later in life! Band can also give a sense of belonging; when you find your feet in the first few years of playing an instrument in a band, you'll get to understand what sort of part or role your instrument has for the whole band and how to best fit that role. When I first started with trombone (a lower-end brass instrument) we scarcely got to play the melody or dominant part because we were often grouped with the bass accompaniment (as trombones often are). We didn't quite understand that at first and just belted out every note trying to be as loud and bright as the cornets! The conductor of course, very quickly put us in our place and today I understand my instrument a little better and I can now fulfil my role more appropriately! When we get our solos or melody lines it's extra special! I've also learnt to appreciate my role in the band even though it might not appear very significant or essential but after playing in bands for years I've learned how much I can contribute on trombone and how others can contribute on their instruments.
-Build strength
It's often said that swimming is good for asthmatics because it builds strength in the lungs and endurance physically. This principle can be apply to playing wind instruments as well! All brass and woodwind instruments require very hard breathing work and core strength to produce optimal sound! It develops oral and core strength and aids fitness.
-Patience and discipline
when a child is confronted with a challenging piece, they'll eventually learn that the only way to get good at it is to stick at it, practice it and be patient. Giving up or getting increasingly agitated or anxious will NOT improve them and learning music is a good at teaching that. Discipline and consistency are the key to success when it comes to getting good at an instrument and it will be the fastest way for your child to reach their potential! Having your child learning an instrument and encouraging them to practice regularly will give them the tool and knowledge later on in life of willpower and self-discipline. It will enforce good study habits. Sometimes in band you have to wait a while and be patient, whether it be during rests in the music or the conductor singling out a section or instrument group to fix it up while you watch, wait and listen.
-Fine ear tuning and musical appreciation
The ability to pick out an individual sound in an orchestra or identify the chordal progressions of a particular song, name the time signature, identify which era and background a piece of music comes from-these are all cool abilities and great tools for appreciating music! Who wouldn't want to better understand their favourite music?
-confidence and self esteem
Just seeing themselves improve is very rewarding, as well as conquering a difficult piece. Playing stuff they enjoy can be stress relieving and boost self esteem and confidence! Also playing a musical instrument will probably involve performances. Getting the courage to step up on stage and play something is a real achievement, something for your child to remember, and will certainly help develop more confidence!
Have you involved your child in a band? Is he/she learning any musical instruments? Tell us in the comments below!
If you want to consider encouraging your child to learn a musical instrument, check out my other post "Choosing an instrument for your child (and what's involved with learning an instrument)"
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