The Magic of Music
Music has filled the world since the middle of the 18th century, and has progressed from Classical Music to the music of the Baroque Period and now to the new beats of the 20th and 21st century. With the expansion of technology, music is available at the touch of a button. Music is so prevalent in today’s culture…I am surprised, but not really, that many schools and institutions are doing away with their music programs and activities. I was blessed to grow up in a household full of musicians, including my father, who was and still is a musical genius, my older sibling who fronts her own band, and myself who studied singing, clarinet, bass clarinet, chimes and piano. I have over 15 years of music study under my belt and it has influenced & improved my life! Music has many benefits, on top of making us feel happy and free, that can enhance our lives and improve our mind, body and soul!
Memory Retention
Those who perform or practice music regularly have great memory retention skills. Hours upon hours of practice helps train the brain to remember the sequence of notes, words & counts that is needed to complete the musical piece. Many musicians, after countless years of study and practice, are able to look at a sheet of music and read it on site. Site reading is memory retention at its finest and can be used in other aspects of your life, including your career, schooling, relationships and even the music you listen to everyday!
Math and Reading
Music is created by reading the notes on the page and keeping those notes in tempo and at the correct count. In order to recreate what is on the page, math and reading skills are required. You need to read the notes that are in front of you, and use your math skills to count out the time needed to recreate the song and to keep in tempo. Music promotes and enhances your math and reading skills, which can make you a better musician, but it can also help with many other aspects of your life, including moving up in your career, completing your schooling, and time management!
Posture
When performing music, posture is of the utmost importance. It helps you control your breathing while singing, your ability to fly your fingers up and down the keyboard, and bringing a round, full sound to brass and woodwinds. Correct posture can optimize your sound, your abilities and your breathing, but it can also help you in many other aspects. Excellent posture in everyday life gives off the impression to others that you are confident, in control, and aware of your body. This can go a long way in the work place, at an interview, and help get rid of that pesky back pain!
Listening Skills
Listening is a very important aspect of music. We cannot see music, unless it is on a sheet of paper, or touch music, unless it is the instrument that creates the music. We rely on our hearing to create, listen to and interpret the music we are hearing. Singers need to rely on their listening skills to make sure they are not sharp or flat, and a pianist relies on his sense of hearing to make sure the piano is not out of tune, which would destroy the piece of music that is art. Music help improve your listening skills and with this, you will be able to take advantage of it in everyday situations, like driving, listening to a coworker, and even picking up on sounds you didn’t realize you could hear, like the high pitch sound of a camera.
Emotional Awakening
Music is very powerful and can shake your emotions to the core. It can create happiness in a dark place, awaken a soul that has been asleep, and help those who have been in pain. Many people turn to music as an outlet to ease their frustrations, anger, and resentments. Most come out on the other side forgiving themselves and improving the lives of others with their music. If we as listeners become so stirred by the music we hear, why not continue the process of full emotional awakening by playing a musical instrument or singing to your heart’s content? Music stirs the emotions for a reason.
Music has been helpful, inspiring, and useful in my life since I was 7 years old, and probably for many other countless lives. Music can stir your emotions, improve your posture, and enhance your listening abilities, memory and Math & Reading skills. Creating any type of music, even just for fun, can improve every part of your being, and bring to someone else in the world.
