Here’s what: 1. Mathematical skills Music is a counting game. You can’t walk down the street singing a song if you can’t keep in time. Keeping in time is about mathematically working out how many beats are in a bar. You also subconsciously know when the end of the phrase is arriving, because music is usually built in blocks of four too. Four beats in a bar, and four, eight or sixteen bar phrases. Learning about this can only enhance mathematical skills. 2. Creative thinking Whether it be composing, performing or analysing music, it enhances the cognitive function of the child and brings out a creative streak within them which may be hidden in ‘dryer’ academic subjects such as Maths and Science. Music encourages imagination, something which may be missing from many subjects. Playing an instrument has also been proven to improve motor skills within children. 3. Active listening Try talking to some schoolchildren for a minute without them getting distracted. On the other hand, if they’ve learnt to listen to a Beethoven Piano Sonata for ten minutes in a music lesson, they are training themselves (or being trained) to listen actively and critically. By concentrating on one thing for a set length of time, they’re learning to do it in other walks of life too. 4. Rewards for hard work There is nothing quite as satisfying as playing a graded music piece through perfectly for the first time, or mastering a particularly difficult passage of music after days, weeks or months of trying. Learning that hard work and commitment will be rewarded is surely a valuable lesson in life for post-school employment. 5. Teamwork and communication It’s pretty difficult to play in an ensemble without working together. You are taught to listen to the other players, respond appropriately and work as part of a musical team. Again – one thing employers value more than anything is a good team player.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 13:14:11 +0000
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