The Importance of a Music Education

Learning music enhances the development of the mind in that it promotes strong cognitive skills, logical thought patterns, discipline and creativity. A music education causes a student to meet challenges whether it's mastering an instrument, singing, reading or writing music. Based on how the student approaches the challenge determines the outcome of it. For instance, the student must examine the challenge in order to determine how to persevere successfully. This raises the conscious awareness of the student and puts the student in a position to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle thus strengthening cognitive skills.

Once the challenge has been analyzed, the student must rationalize as to how to solve the problem or overcome the obstacle, which encourages logical thought patterns. Once this is done, a consistent course of study or regular practice patterns must take place in order to master the challenge, which gives the student solid discipline skills. After the challenge is mastered, the student is equipped to repeat the process for the next musical challenge.

By Darshell DuBose-Smith

Music Education Is Gaining Strength Once Again

For centuries, melodies have been a source for soothing the soul, celebrations, and to excite the senses and stir emotions. Music has the ability to create ideas, inspire notions, or focus thoughts. Research of late supports the effects of music on the brain and how individuals learn. Educational institutions, most notably public and private schools, are suffering to some extent from the lack of this fine art.

The past three decades have shown incredible decreases in the number of music programs currently active in schools across the country. So much has the decline occurred, that it has caught the attention of the public at large. Fortunately, there are those within the education business who are working to increase the awareness of music education and its importance for all students.

It has been touted for a few decades that students must be tested more thoroughly in order to determine their education level. Additionally, this was to expose areas of weakness or show where any respective student needs to improve. In the process, fine arts programs took a serious hit. While the large portion of program closings were due to budget shortfalls, the program suffered also due to a lack of interest.

Benefits of Music Education

Three Powerful Reasons why children benefit from music education as part of their Curriculum, especially at a young age. There has been plenty of research done about the benefits of music education for young children.

1. Playing music improves concentration, memory and self-expression

One two-year study in Switzerland run with 1200 children in more than 50 classes scientifically showed how playing music improved children's reading and verbal skills through improving concentration, memory and self-expression.(1) Younger children who had three more music classes per week and three fewer main curriculums made rapid developments in speech and learned to read with greater ease.

Other effects revealed by the study showed that children learned to like each other more, enjoyed school more (as did their teachers) and were less stressed during the various tests, indicating they were better able to handle performance pressure.

2. Playing music improves the ability to think

Ongoing research at the University of California-Irvine and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2) demonstrate that learning and playing music builds or modifies Neural pathways related to spatial reasoning tasks, which are crucial for higher brain functions like complex maths, chess and science.

The first studies showed that listening to a Mozart sonata temporarily improved a child's spatial abilities. Further studies compared children who had computer lessons, children who had singing lessons, children who learned music using a Keyboard and children who did nothing additional. The children who had had the Music classes scored significantly higher - up to 35% higher - than the children did Who had computer classes or did nothing additional.(3)

Music Education - For A Fulfilling Career

Artists all over the world are revered and are looked on with great respect. People may love them to the core, or may hate their guts, but the fact lies that they are special, and work with some of the best aspects of human life. The most loved ones are musical artists. These people sing, and play some of the most beautiful songs that appeal to our souls in the best possible way.

However, as a musical artist, you will also need to know some bare essentials about music. These days, several artists are working on their Music Education. With the help of this kind of a course, they are able to increase their skills, and keep themselves up to date with the latest technologies that are helping to develop music.

Thus, if you want your musical career to progress, and reach the stars, you must consider a career in Music Education. This is one course with which you can start learning about your trade right from scratch. If you already have the talent, half of your work is done. With a course in Music Education, you can develop your skills and leverage them to the best possible levels.