These are the reasons why we must learn music
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/top-17-ways-learning-musical-instrument-gives-edge.html
1. Music is a direct expression from soul to soul.
There are no words
that can say what music can. It is no secret that when we
hear someone play or sing, we feel as though we really know that
person. And we do, much more intimately than if we had a conversation
with them. People inherently love and respect musicians who can move them and
make them feel. Many people have become numbed by the ups and down in
life. Sometimes it takes the perfect piece of music, communicated by a wonderful
musician, to allow someone who has been emotionally injured to heal.
2. Music study exposes one to a rich history and puts it in context.
Music is a
mirror and an expression of what was happening when the music was
created. Many people do not know that the great Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1902), for
example, despite being a brilliant composer, had to tip toe around the
political censors while writing his famous operas. Ludwig van Beethoven,
(1770–1827), wrote his masterpieces under extreme personal hardship, and once you
have read and understand the context of his music, it takes on a new richness
and creates a new depth of admiration for the composer himself. For an
in-depth look at and to listen to the greatest orchestral works and
the history surrounding the creation of these works, listen to this
lecture series given by Dr. Robert Greenberg through The Great Courses.
I have listened to these lectures over and over again. I look forward to
each one with happy anticipation. Dr. Greenberg is brilliant!
3. Studying music sharpens concentration and teaches perseverance.
As one develops as a
musician, one realizes the importance of keeping one’s mind on the task at
hand. As you are playing through a piece, whether it be a classical Allegro
piece (happy and fast), or a swampy blues ballad, you cannot take your mind off
what you are doing for one second or you will end up in a musical ditch. I have
told my students over and over that they cannot be thinking about what they
will make for lunch while playing music. It is a recipe for disaster.
Additionally, you cannot play a passage quickly and well unless you have slowed
it way down and gotten each little part perfect. This takes time, patience and
drill and it is the secret that differentiates a brilliant musician
from a poseur. This little tip can be applied in many areas of life. The true
professional in any field takes care to make every little part of what they are
working on perfect.
4. Learning music makes you an expert in reading non-verbal
communication.
As you play music
with another person or a group, you realize that there is a method of
communication that transcends words. It is actually more like ESP than anything
else. As a rock bassist in my youth, I was fortunate enough to play with a
magnificent drummer. Every time I was going to take a detour rhythmically, he
was right there with me. It was as though we were in two separate race cars and
everywhere I went, even at super high speeds, he was there grinning at
me. The best musicians I have ever played with understood that
communication is more than talk or words. It is soul to soul contact and it
works!
5. Learning music increases responsibility.
As a songwriter, I
have seen how music affects people. It is almost unlimited in its ability to
rouse to action. That said, with power comes great responsibility. The one
thing I do know about music—or any art, really—is that whatever
message travels on an aesthetic or artful line must be truth as far
as you can see because music goes into people. It communicates faster and
more effectively than any words ever can. As such, it can be used for good
or evil. Thus musicians and everyone else working in the area of the arts have
a great responsibility to ensure that their message is one of benevolence.
6. Studying music teaches one how to listen.
A good musician must
be very in tune to how things sound. He or she must know how to listen. A
musician playing with others will soon be playing alone if he or she
doesn’t know how to listen. A musical group or band situation demands give and
take musically. There are unspoken cues and musical cues as well as the overall
sound of the group that one must be aware of. If someone is
forever playing over the vocalist or taking a solo when they should
not be, they are likely to find a microphone embedded in the back of their
head! Music is communication and is subject to the same laws of communication
as everything else, even though the cues may be subtle. These skills must be
learned by a musician and are generally enforced by the other group
members.
7. Studying music increases coordination.
A person learning how
to sing or play an instrument automatically becomes more aware of their body.
The body can also be considered an instrument as it works very closely with the
actual instrument (or in the case of a singer, it is the instrument) to create the sounds. There are instruments
like the violin, for example, that are extremely precise. One must place
one’s fingers exactly or it sounds wrong. This takes drill and isolation of the
different parts of the body, as well as learning to allow the body parts
to work in harmony with each other. When things go wrong, the musician must be
able to spot where the change occurred and get back on track. This is a
valuable skill in life. Being able to spot where errors occurred and correct
them is vital in any life situation.
8. Studying music relieves stress.
There is nothing like
a great practice session or performance to put you in a great mood. Music is
pure communication. Pure communication makes everything better. Also the act of
focusing your attention, such as is required when mastering a difficult passage
or learning a song to play with your band, does not allow for the intrusion of
stressful thoughts. Music can rejuvenate you even after the worst day.
9. Learning music fosters creativity.
Once one understands
the basics of music, it is not difficult to start taking the components
and reconfiguring them to come up with entirely new songs or pieces. Even my
youngest students have brought in songs that they have written and want to try
out.
10. Learning music helps you remember.
Not only does
learning to memorize pieces of music exercise your brain and allow you to
remember more easily, for whatever reason you can remember things better when
they are set to music. For example, you may not be able to memorize algebraic
equations, but if you make them into a song, you automatically remember them
more easily.
11. Learning music helps you become better at managing your time.
Practice is a
big part of learning music and practice takes time. Time must be factored in to
your already busy day. Your practice time must then become efficient. Musicians
who become great know that efficiency is the key component of music. Your
movements must be extremely efficient in order to play fast passages. Your
valuable practice time must be efficient so that you don’t waste it.
12. Learning music teaches you to persevere until you get it right.
You have seen
brilliant players on just about any instrument and in any genre. Brilliant
playing doesn’t just occur. There is a lot of repetitive drill that goes on to
create something that seems effortless. Learning to keep at something until it
is perfect is a vital skill in life. Learning to take the time to go
beyond ‘good enough’ and go for perfect is the first step toward
proficiency in any subject.
13. Learning music and performing forces you to develop composure in front
of people.
So many people I
know have a mortal fear of speaking in front of an audience. Musicians
have to develop the skill not only to speak before an audience, but to perform
demanding pieces under pressure as well. Most of my students have had performances
where they were convinced that they were terrible on stage. I remind them that
performing is itself a skill and unfortunately you cannot develop this skill
alone in your room or studio. You have no choice but to develop it right there
in front of everybody. Every musician
I know has had bad nights. They learn from them and become stronger as a
result. The really great ones have performed so many times that they know how
to deal with the nerves (yes, we still get nervous), the uncertainties of a new
venue and the unexpected things that always pop up in any
performance.
14. Learning music is just really
interesting!
OK, I am a self
professed Music Theory Nerd. I love
to know what all the symbols are and how they all relate and coordinate with
each other. In fact, I wrote a book on it! I love to understand all of the
rules of music and to listen to the works of great composers. Music is
richly imbued with ancient stories and symbols that most people never know
about. There is no history richer than the history of music.
15. Learning music gives you access to a creative social network.
While music can be
played by one person, it is when you start playing in groups that the fun
really begins. Most musicians love to play with other people as the
interaction aides creativity in oneself. Music builds life-long
relationships.
16. If you know music, you always have a marketable skill that you can
take with you anywhere.
Music is always
needed and wanted by people of all cultures. You can go anywhere and be assured
that you have a skill that can put food on the table no matter where you are.
From the various playing opportunities to teaching, to even busking on the
street (it’s really fun, you should try it!), you are never without a way to
make money.
17. Learning music lets you call yourself a musician and that is the
coolest thing ever!
Who here has not, at
least once, fallen in love with a musician after seeing him or
her perform? The Beatles had more female fans than any group in
history. Face it, being a musician is cool! So, now that we have decided
that you are going to take up a musical instrument, which will it be? Get
your instrument and meet me in the studio. We have work to do!
