Why students should learn to play a musical instrument?

Music can change the world

Renowned composer and pianist Ludwig Van Beethoven once stated, “Music can change the world.”  These words have a lot of weight. By learning to play a musical instrument, students can unknowingly develop/nurture other skills like creativity, cognitive development, retention ability etc. This article will apprise you on why should everybody embark on a journey to learn a musical instrument.

Benefits of learning and playing a Musical Instrument

1. Improves your listening skills

Musicians keep time by staying in-sync with the metronome (or any other percussive instrument). This develops acute listening skills. New learners acquire this skill as they become better at playing their instrument.  

Music learners can slowly develop a sense of sonic identification. They can hear the pitch and identify the instrument being played, or identify a human voice. With a lot of practice, they can progress and have a relative pitch. Relative pitch means when a person can play a note in relation to a reference note. With thorough practice, music learners can take this skill to a point where they can hear a song and then instantly play it on their instrument without referring the staff notation, or knowing the key of the song.

They can transcribe the song by listening to it and tune instruments without tuners. Musicians communicate when jamming or performing consistently through their body language. Both listening skills and observing skills are crucial not only in music but also in everyday communication. And, learning a violin, guitar, piano, ukulele or singing teaches you to become better at hearing and observing.

2. Cognitive Enhancement

Learning any of the musical instruments - violin, guitar, piano or singing engages various parts of the brain simultaneously. This improves learner’s memory retention, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It has been proven through numerous scientific researches that music helps learner to become better at cognitive functions.

3. By playing Musical Instruments we learn the power of Discipline, perseverance and Time Management

Closest analogy to learning a musical instrument is sports. If you want to become good at sweeping sixes like Sachin Tendulkar or MS Dhoni, or score a football goal like Ronaldo. A lot of concentrated effort, discipline and training is obligatory. To become a good sportsman, you maintain a certain discipline and practice daily. You focus on improving your health, diet and work on the problem areas of your sport.

Likewise, to learn a musical instrument, you have to devote sometime of practice on daily basis. Prepare the plan or a timetable, repeat already learnt parts of the musical piece or a song, practice techniques and polishing the problem areas.

Unknowingly, while putting efforts to become better at your art, you develop thorough discipline, persistence and capabilities to manage time.

4. Enhances your reading, writing and mathematical abilities

Have you ever thought, why people from southern India are really good at Math. Yes, you guessed it right. It is because they have kept their musical culture alive. South Indians wire their children to invest time in learning a musical Instrument. Musical forms such as Konnakol (Indian drum language) and Carnatic music is very rich rhythmically. It helps you develop a good mathematical sense of dividing, sub-dividing complex rhythm patterns and syncopation. Hence, learning about rhythms and understanding musical notation can improve a student's mathematical, reading and writing abilities.

5. Get Smarter

Research has shown that those who go through music training are usually smarter than their cohorts. Students or adults who learn to play an instrument, perform better at studies or at work. Albert Einstein learnt to play violin at an early age and later became an accomplished violinist.

6. Boosts Confidence

Performing a song in front of an audience, develops a strong sense of accomplishment and self-esteem among music learners. By performing in front of an audience, students get over the fear of being in front of the large masses of people and develop confidence.

One of the biggest fears among humans, is fear of public speaking. As per the British council, 75% of people suffer from various forms of Glossophobia (fear of public speaking). Music helps here as instead of speaking you are performing a relaxing piece that you have mastered by practicing multiple times. Performing again and again in front of someone, reduces the fear of public and boosts the student’s self-confidence.

Source - British Council

7. Coordination and Collaboration

When musicians play together in a group, it is miraculous. Listen to world’s finest orchestra - the Vienna Philharmonic. All the musicians are consistently in synergy, collaborating on sonatas and symphonies. All of them are playing different musical instruments. Group musical activities trains the mind of a student to work with other people as a team.

8. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is another important skill to have in the contemporary world. It is said to be an essential skill than the IQ level in the corporate world. Musicians know how to control their emotions when performing an extremely sad piece or how to tackle situations when they mess-up a part of the performance. They also have to be always in time. Music not only increases your emotional intelligence; it also works on your IQ development.

9. Cross-cultural development

By learning and enhancing their repertoire, music learners’ foray into different cultures. They try various genres which originate from different times and cultures. When they learn such music, they get curious to read and find more about these cultures. This develops the sense of appreciation for diversity. Another skill which is highly demanded in the corporate world.

10. Playing a musical instrument elevates stress

Playing an instrument diminishes stress, depression and anxiety. So, learning a musical instrument has therapeutic effects.

11. It is Fun!

Above all, playing an instrument is fun. Every time a learner finishes learning a song or a music piece and performs in front of someone, they get a sense of achievement. One can replace bad habits of watching excessive television or going through useless phone scrolling to a sensible self-development exercise by learning an instrument.  

In the light of aforementioned benefits, it is crucial that we acknowledge the power of music education. Everybody should learn to play an instrument as it is not only an extracurricular activity, it's an investment for holistic development. To embark on this journey, students can explore our music programs. We have our institutions in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa. By enrolling into a structured learning environment and having an expert mentor’s guidance, one can work on their musical talents and improve faster.

Unlock the harmonious world of melodies and rhythms at Theme Music Institutes where our expert mentors can get you to pace to learn and improve your Piano, Guitar, Vocals or Violin playing/singing skills. We take students from all age groups. And, have options of 1 to 1 class and group class.

To know more, please check our website - https://institute.thememusic.in/. To enrol with us - Write to us at [email protected] or Call us at 011-29234415 / 09899088694.