Why learn to play a musical instrument?
May 13th, 2008 | Published in Music Education, Music Teacher, Musical Instrument
You don’t have to be a violin virtuoso to gain considerable pleasure out of playing a musical instrument. Music-making, both on your own and in the company of others, is a wonderfully satisfying form of self-expression. It is a positive, life-enhancing experience.
Beside the acquisition of the skill itself, learning to play a musical instrument helps you to understand the music you listen to more thoroughly, and to appreciate the performances of other accomplished musicians more fully.
Five reasons why learning a musical instrument is good for you
1. Music is a language that touches places words can’t reach
Learning a musical instrument is like opening a magic doorway into another world. It’s quite as good as walking through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia, as in C. S. Lewis’s wonderful childrens’ fantasy stories.
The development of musical skills is a passport to other cultures. The spoken language of those who live in exotic faraway places may be incomprehensible, but musical expression gives you a direct method of communication with them.
Learning a musical instrument can also transport you back in time. Playing the music of a particular period in the past places you in direct contact with those who wrote and played the music at the time.
2. Music-making helps to develop hand to eye co-ordination
Learning to play a musical instrument proficiently requires the development of physical hand and eye skills combined with aural and mental co-ordination in order to translate the written or heard music into the activity that creates the required musical sound.
The adeptness developed helps to hone general mental and physical proficiency in a manner which can only have a positive effect on other areas of your life. Assimilating further skills that require similar physical co-ordination and mental processing will become easier.
3. Music-making encourages self-discipline
In order to learn to play a musical instrument well, regular practice is required. The setting aside of a small period of time (10-15 minutes is enough to begin with) on a regular daily basis is essential if significant progress is to be made. This practice routine must become a habit that you stick to, through thick and thin.
If you have the self-discipline to turn the telly off and carry this regimen through on a regular basis, you’ll be surprised at the progress you will make.
However, whether you’re Jimmy Page or Yehudi Menuhin, Rome is not built in a day. Considerable patience and self-control are required to maintain regular practice patterns. Given enough time, the rewards in the advance of musical skill will be considerable. The self-discipline developed in the process can only have positive effects in all other areas of your life.
4. Music is an excellent method of relaxation
As you begin to develop real musical skills of your own, you will find that the time spent with your instrument is a wonderful escape for the trials and tribulations of daily life. The activity of playing music can change your mood in a positive manner. It is a life-enriching experience.
When you can play your instrument well enough, find other people to play with. Form a band or join an orchestra. Music-making is a brilliant way of meeting other people with similar interests. You will make friends and have a great deal of fun in the process.
5. Developing musical skills builds self-esteem
The careful and patient development of musical skills helps to build self-confidence. If you reach a level of musical proficiency that is admired by others, it can do nothing but give your ego a real good boost!
Find the right musical instrument for you
Not sure which instrument you prefer? Visit Hop Till You Drop Wedding and Party Music Shop . From swing jazz, soul and funk, through pop, salsa, reggae, rock, blues, Irish folk style and the Western classical tradition, you’ll find examples of a wide variety of musical styles to listen to in order to help you make up your mind.
Learning to play a musical instrument requires the development of mental discipline that will positively enhance all other areas of your life. The musical skills acquired will provide you with an excellent method of relaxation. Music-making is also a wonderful way of having fun with other people.
