Benefits of Playing an Instrument

 

        Music floats in the air as a middle schooler puts together their clarinet. First the bell, then lower and upper joint, barrel and finally the mouthpiece and ligature, building from the bottom up. Band practice is about to start as the child looks over music and plays a couple tricky parts. Around them, music dances in the air. Choosing to play an instrument is one of the best decisions a student in middle school can make. Once they start playing, they will see improvement in their grades, discipline and their social skills. It is proven that playing an instrument in an ensemble improves these skills remarkably.

 

 

       Every student, no matter how intelligent, has and will struggle at school academically in one way or another, but playing an instrument can improve academic skills. Research shows that kids who play or listen to music perform better in school (Wish List). When learning to play an instrument, you also learn to read music. Reading music and understanding rhythms can improve math skills (Parents). “Music and math are highly intertwined. By understanding beat, rhythm, scales, children are learning how to divide, create fractions and recognize patterns. It seems that music wires a child’s brain to help him better understand other areas of math.” Lynn Kleiner, founder of Music Rhapsody, an internet company that teaches young children the basis of music, states (Parents). Academics also goes hand in hand with knowing how to use your time efficiently.

 

 

        It’s about eight o’clock when a student remembers there is a huge project due tomorrow, first period. They’ve known about the project for two weeks. If this child played an instrument, there is a better chance they would have remember their project and use their time efficiently.  Practicing an instrument actually helps teaches how to manage time efficiently (Lifehack). With busy schedules, kids learn how to fit practicing into their schedules (Lifehack). They also learn about how long they should practice to be effective. This can help teach kids how to use time effectively. “Time must be factored into your already busy day. Your practice time must then become efficient. Musicians who become great know that efficiency is the key component of music.” Says Chris Ellis, a successful musician and author on Lifehacker says (Lifehack). Playing an instrument also lengthens the attention span of the child who is playing it (Wish List). Along with discipline, playing an instrument goes hand in hand with social skills.

 

 

        A kid is sitting in band. As they continue to play, the notice a marking for a crescendo coming up in the next measure of their music. The kid next to him doesn’t notice the marking. When it comes time to play the crescendo, the first kid plays it. The second doesn’t notice at first, but by listening, notices the marking and begins to play it. This is a classic example of how playing in an ensemble can improve listening skills. Also, by watching the conductor and listening to the person next to them, kids improve their nonverbal communications, such as playing a correct note slightly louder than normal to camouflage a wrong one or showing a fingering in a song while playing (Lifehack). Playing in ensemble also teaches kids their part in a greater process (Parents). There cannot be some kids going too fast and some kids going to slow or one kid playing louder than everyone else. These skills are essential to be successful in the real world.

 

 

        As children grow older, their education, discipline and social skills are very important. They will have further education, job interviews and many more challenges ahead of them. Learning the importance of patience, efficiency, nonverbal communication, listening skills and even just education will change a kid's life. Picking up an instrument and simply learning to play will improve this skills. The kid learning to play an instrument will have these skills to carry with them, always.

 

Works Cited

 

Ellis, Chris. "The Top 17 Ways Learning a Musical Instrument Gives You The Edge." Lifehack RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015.

 

 

Hull-Summers, Shelia. "The Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument." The Wish List Project. N.p., 24 July 2013. Web. 08 May 2015

Kwan, Angela. "6 Benefits of Music Lessons." Parents Magazine. N.p., 2013. Web. 08 May 2015