5 Benefits That Come From Music Education

We just finished watching the new Ken Burns documentary on the history of American music and it was fascinating. Did you know the fiddle (aka violin) was the first prevalent instrument in America? It helped create the foundation of Americana music, second only to the banjo. Music has had an “instrumental” role in the development of our society and history. It brings people together. It gives people purpose and focus. It challenges and strengthens our minds.  Sooo if music has done all of this for our history, shouldn’t we be introducing our children to music as soon as possible? I love that Yamaha Music has made it their focus to encourage music in young minds with a whole line of instruments especially made for students! They understand how music education affects so many areas of life beyond simply playing an instrument. Here are 5 additional benefits that come from music education that you might not be aware of:

1)Improved Memory.

Music education involves a high level of memorization. Students must be able to read music by sight, play the proper notes on their instrument or recall lyrics. This process benefits the overall memory center of the brain. Playing music makes the brain work harder, you have to be using more of your brain and therefore expanding it.

2)Language Skills.

According to PBS, “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways.” Learning a musical instrument improves how the brain understands human language, since music is like a second language it can help with learning an additional language.

3)Strong Study Habits.

When children are exposed to music education, they learn powerful study habits. Mastering their specific musical craft takes a concerted effort, consistent practice, and patience. These habits translate into other areas of study too. So as children grow up and are exposed to more rigorous courses of study in school and ample amounts of information they are required to retain, these habits are already in place due to music education.

4) Listening skills.

I mean, what parent doesn’t want better listening skills?! Music involves listening to yourself and to the rest of the ensemble. Musicians need to hear tempos, dynamics, tuning, and harmonies. This helps auditory development in the brain.

5) Self-esteem.

Music allows students to try something new and develop confidence as they  master singing or playing an instrument. It gives them purpose and focus and a skill to be very proud of. As music students work in a class setting, they are working toward a common goal, with each of their “voices” or instruments being heard. This joint effort creates a wonderful sense of acceptance in a group setting that is just so huge for self-confidence!

Honestly the list of benefits from music education just keeps going.  So while Annabelle and Josephine are still very young, the opportunity for growth from music is still very much there! In fact the growth of motor skills from music education is most significant  in younger children. Even a basic introduction to an instrument, such as a hitting a triangle or learning a song on a recorder, can be beneficial and can prepare them for instruments like Annabelle’s lovely Yamaha Violin. Yamaha has a whole line of instruments focused on and created for children and students. I was especially impressed by their violins. They even have a quiz you can take that will lead you in the direction of the perfect violin to get for your budding musician.  You can take a quiz HERE . When Annabelle’s perfectly sized Yamaha Violin arrived, I quickly showed her what I could remember from my couple years of playing as a child.  Her eyes immediately lit up with excitement over the sound she could create. She now roams the house playing “air violin”!  I simply can’t wait to get her into formal classes soon!

Thank you Yamaha for sponsoring this post and your continued support in music education!