Study of Music
Let’s face it: thinking that the reasons for studying music are exhausted in a list of ten points means simplifying the qualities of the musical universe too much. So, rather than “10 good reasons” we prefer to talk about “10 starting points” for those who, like you, want to understand how important the study of music and its potential are for the human being.
1. Enhance psycho development:
When you first touch a musical instrument, the first thing you learn is “how to make a sound”, whether it’s pressing a key, rubbing a bow or shaking a rattle. Having achieved this goal, the next step is to “shape the sound” by developing those specific motor mechanisms that will transform it into music. Both for the youngest prophetical students and for those who delight in Mozart and Beethoven, making music is a constant exercise in psychometric development.
2. Increase language skills:
Well, there is actually much more. Reading music is like reading in another alphabet (like Russian or Chinese) in which lines, dots and a few other symbols together provide precise indications of rhythm, pitch, duration, speed, character and musical technique.
Music also has phrases, syntagma and words (motifs) that are combined in a “discourse” through a real syntactic system. Learning music also means improving the learning of the concepts of the language and its specific skills.
3. Enhance cognitive development:
Studying music develops logical-mathematical reasoning and structures mental maps. From the very first lessons, by assimilating the basic concepts of music, mathematics and logic become fundamental for understanding and interpreting rhythm. With music one also learns to develop multiple thinking: the notes are played with duration, cadence, intensity, rhythm and intention indicated in the score as well as, for example, following the conductor. In addition, it increases memory, making memorization processes easier and faster, and allows you to reach high levels of concentration. Digital piano can be the right option for you if you are looking for the piano.
4. Develop artistic sensitivity and creativity:
We talked a lot about technique and cognition but we cannot forget that music, first of all, is Art. As such, it develops creative thinking through experimentation, channels the externalization of feelings and develops artistic and aesthetic sensitivity.
5. Needs listening and thinking skills:
To properly master a musical instrument (or your own voice, in the case of singing) you have to listen to what you are playing, analyzing and correcting yourself if necessary. With the passage of time, the habit of listening to oneself goes beyond the simple tool, becoming a precious means of personal analysis and reflection.
6. Promotes empathy and social skills:
In addition to listening to yourself, in order to play in a group it is essential to learn to listen to others (think of playing in an orchestra, as well as in a duo or quartet). Through the refinement of these dynamics, music promotes the development of empathy and social skills necessary to relate to others. It improves interpersonal communication skills and through group activities promotes social harmony and cooperation towards a common goal.
7. Teach discipline and responsibility:
Johann Sebastian Bach said that “it’s easy to play an instrument: all you have to do is hit the right key at the right time and the instrument will play by itself“. Well, irony aside, we all know that playing an instrument well is not an easy activity, nor is it immediate. Indeed, it requires constant work, considerable willpower, patience and perseverance: the very values that the accelerated world in which we live is forgetting. Studying music means using method and discipline to achieve goals that are not simple but highly rewarding. In addition, each student develops a sense of responsibility towards their instrument: musical instruments, in fact, require a certain attention in their use and maintenance and it will be up to the student to learn to take care of them.
8. It improves self-esteem and promotes personal growth:
The small improvements that will be experienced day after day in the study of music will be a source of satisfaction that will reward all the efforts put in place. With increasing control over the tool, motivation will also increase and, with it, the drive to improve. Over the years you will be able to aim higher and discover that it was worth it and that everything happened thanks to yourself. Playing in public allows you to face your fears and fight performance anxiety. Also, it helps children to express unexpressed channels or negative emotions in a positive way.
9. Nothing develops personality like music does:
What does it mean to play an instrument? Even the simplest piece requires intellectual involvement, specific motor skills, emotional interest and a high degree of sensory perception. Reading the staff requires fast and simultaneous processing of very concentrated information. Music requires an abstract and complex thinking pattern, as well as a great development of memory. How many other activities require so many simultaneous decisions for such a prolonged time?
10. Because we were born to make music:
Many think that music is something superfluous for our life, being generally considered a calling for a talented few and a pastime for others. But the truth is that in all cultures and all times of which there is memory, music has always been present, accompanying us from birth throughout our life.
The child is born with a brain ready to process its own musical world, the ability to perceive music is innate. All of this means only one thing: we were born to make music!