Music brings people together and also can benefit those learning about it. For school-aged children, learning a musical instrument helps them emotionally, mentally and socially. Here are a few more benefits to learning a musical instrument.
Musical instruments teach patience
Learning how to play a musical instrument takes time and patience. There is a lot of time and energy that goes into learning how the instrument makes sounds, reading a piece of music, and being able to perform in front of people. Through classes, private lessons, and personal practice of the instrument, children begin to understand patience. It can be frustrating for them to mess up when they’re learning, but this is a part of the process. Learning patience (and resilience) this way can carry into their lives outside of school.
Children learn responsibility for their instrument
Having an instrument isn’t just about being able to play it. Children also need to be able to take care of their instruments. Musicians care for and maintain their instruments on a daily basis. Woodwind and brass instruments need to be cleaned so that they don’t harbor bacteria or mold that, in addition to becoming unsanitary, can impact the sound of the instrument.
Instruments also require tuning sometimes, and the scale of that will depend on the instrument being played. Guitarists, for example, have to tune instruments after travel. Your child will assess what’s needed and be vocal about getting their instrument taken care of. They will also need to have the responsibility to attend practices, practice on their own time and be proficient in any coursework. This will teach your child to be better at time management and planning.
They can improve self-esteem
Being proficient in an instrument can boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Children love to be masters of things, and instruments allow some children to become masters. Learning and performing an instrument is not an easy task. It requires a focused mindset and a lot of hard work to get to a level where you can perform and compete. When children receive recognition from their work on mastering an instrument, they will become more confident in themselves.
Music teaches math skills
Fun fact: learning music can help build upon math skills. In order to play music effectively, performers have to do a little bit of math. Musicians have to divide, count out beats, and look at fractions before playing a piece. The concepts learned within musical composition are parallel to dividing equations. This teaches children to have a mindset that is quick to do the math.
Musical instruments can improve memory
Memorizing music requires an extensive recall ability, especially once kids move away from reading music. Using their minds to remember music helps teach them memorization techniques that can translate to studying their coursework.
At Lake Forrest Prep, we love supporting and encouraging parents by providing them with resources to help their children excel. As a leading Orlando private school, we want to encourage everyone to understand how their children learn to better fuel their academic success. To learn more about what sets us apart from other area schools, schedule a tour online or give us a call at 407-331-5144.