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It’s amazing what a desire to make music can make people do.
Have you ever heard a young child banging away on a piano, much to the annoyance of the other listeners in the room? Have you ever seen the smile on his/her face? Knowing that they, as small as they are in comparison to everyone else, have the power to make such a beast of an instrument sound out with such complex notes can be very eye opening, and can create in them such a sense of curiosity as to what they can make the beast say next. The light in their eyes is magical, full of wonder, and awe!!
Now, how many parents have slapped a child’s hands and scolded them not to touch it till they’re older and are taking lessons? The curiosity of that young child has two options. It can be quelled, or it can be rebelliously hidden until adult ears are out of the house. Many parents who have a child like that would stand up and say they’re right in preventing that noise. But why would anyone want to squash that kind of intrigue? Harness it, mould it, encourage it! If the child decides to take lessons seriously then great, but not all kids have that kind of stamina. They’ll let you know, trust me!!
Not all parents have money to afford lessons either, though. Eventually, if left to their own devices a child will develop their own playing style, or they’ll get bored and go and do something else. (Of course the usual watch for damage happens. ’Cause there’s nothing quite like having a 1200lbs paperweight hanging around your house.)
I recently was able to watch “August Rush.” It’s ironic for me to have viewed that as I only just recently answered an off topic post by Amanda about what it would be like to raise a child prodigy.My point is this: Granted not all kids are going to write a Rhapsody at age 11, but music is inherent in all of us. Some of “us” just aren’t listening. Some people used to hear it, but they were some of the ones who’s parents smacked the fingers of, or were forced to take heartless lessons from a tyrant, and the love for music was drilled out of them. Then they just couldn’t hear it anymore. How sad!!
Why would we stifle the yearnings of a small child just to save our ears, but then help them into the same drudgery of monotonistic, cookie-cutter, excuse of a life that so many miserable robots out there in the working world have? Golly Gee!! What a grand existence that is. (Fake cough-cough-NOT!-cough-NOT!-cough.)
Yes, I know, strong opinionated words. Come on!! Who among us really wants to trudge along with the masses to a stale repetitive dirge? Why would we choose to trudge when we have so many other options to march to? Pick a sound! Be it a beat, a strum, a toot, a honk or the tinkling of keys on an old beat-up piano, find your own tune to march to. Find what works for you, and don’t let anyone tell you what you HAVE to do. As long as it’s not illegal we live in a free society.
Personally I have a guitar that I love. I’m hoping to be able to play it again soon. (I won’t go into why I’m not right now, ’cause it’s not important.) Needless to say, I have it, taught myself how to play, I love it!! (I have a violin as well, though I have yet to give it serious thought. It’s not as much in my nature as the piano or my guitar. One day.) I, however, played trumpet in high school. Now THAT’s not an instrument you want your kids honking on without a few guidelines. (Like “Take it outside, or go to the basement.” LOL)
Do lessons work? A resounding YES!!! Does it really matter? A resounding NO!!! Why?
Anyone with a desire to make music will find a way. They’ll make it work for their hearts, souls, and for anyone else who has a kindred spirit.
The lesson is this: If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to do it. Whether it’s lessons, or simple chord’s or playing by ear, if it makes you feel good, then DO IT!!!
Never let anyone tell you differently!!
It’s amazing what a desire to make music can make people do.
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I am with you 100% I think parents should get themselves earplugs on the same day they by the piano, and let the child explore…
CONCENTRATION
Concentration is that essential quality that allows a child to remember what he reads, hears and sees. Concentration is inner strength. Persistence. Attention to detail. Exercising the mind. Setting goals. Achieving them.
Defining concentration is simple. But learning how to harness its vast power is hard. It takes dedication and the will to learn. But it’s worth it. Because the ability to concentrate can mean the difference between success and failure. And the sooner concentration becomes entrenched in a child’s life, the better.
There’s no better way to instill the positive traits that concentration brings than with piano lessons. Studying piano requires the utmost concentration. A child must focus on tones and rhythms. It takes continuous and strict attention to the task at hand. As a child develops at the piano, so does his or her ability to concentrate.
In studying piano, a child learns to read two lines of music, use both ears, both arms, fingers, legs and feet, with the brain giving each organ a different assignment to perform simultaneously. No other activity allows a child to exercise all these skills in such a constructive manner.
When a child gains the ability to concentrate early on in life, many long-term benefits accrue. The child’s grades improve. There is a feeling of accomplishment and self worth. A new found confidence carries over into better social interaction. A child learns discipline and the benefits of working toward a goal. Taken all together, piano lessons are a form of concentration that gives a child a head start in school, and in life.
Concentration is a must if a child is to attain his or her highest levels of achievement. And there’s no better way for a child to develop concentration than by learning to play the piano.
FACTS ABOUT MUSIC
Music is the fourth great material want of human nature. First comes food, then clothing, then shelter, and then comes MUSIC. Music has no bad after-affects. It is an energizing spirit which never dies. Tunes make deep and lasting impressions which cheer and refresh men’s minds as occasion arises. What would a wedding, parade, circus, theatre, church or even a funeral be without music? Mothers sing their children to sleep. Music composes your thoughts, soothes your passions, and is that to which parents ought to give the greatest encouragement.
Self - expression through music contributes to character building. The coming generation should be performers as well as listeners. Joy is best expressed through music of your own making. Every feeling, including fear, finds relief in music. If you are in trouble, your radio will drive you mad, but your piano will be your comfort.
Children learn music much more easily than they learn reading, writing or arithmetic - it rests both mind and body after uninteresting study of other school subjects. Music students invariably are the best patrons libraries. They are better posted on current events, history, invention,. finance, etc. Learning quicker to make their own way in life.
Music is simply arithmetical progression of pleasing sounds, or tones. Tones are pleasing because they are vibrations of sound evenly spaced. Anyone can play music as any teacher or psychologist will tell you. There is no such thing as a tone-deaf human being, properly taught. Every child can play a musical instrument. Any small amount of musical training helps a child become a happier adult. Music provides everyone with a wonderful means of self expression - an emotional outlet that is never lost Response to music comes early in life. The toddler is happiest if he can clang a pot cover against a dishpan to create music. The first grader thrives on rhythm and song.
Personal performance of music places one in tune with the Infinite. Notes being nothing but uneven vibrations of sound, naturally has the opposite affect. Discords creating discords, as it were. Let your child "find himself" in music.
The song "Home Sweet Home," has brought more wayward, boys and girls back to the fireside than all the police in the world.
It is not enough to teach a child how to achieve material success. We must teach him how to occupy his leisure time. Children should be heard as well as seen - otherwise an inferiority complex may develop. Musical training, is a great social asset It adorns riches and ameliorates poverty.
Without a piano in use, a mansion is not even a home. Music in the home puts sunshine in the heart. Musicians reach maturity and success earlier in their careers than other professional people. Young musicians are always preferred and generally have larger incomes.
Positive proof that music is the best mind trainer comes from Oxford University. Only ten percent of the students there study music, yet this ten percent takes 75 percent of all the school prizes and scholarships. That not being the record of a single year, but the average over a period of 30 successive years.
Music is a universal impulse. As a public school study, music is just as important as botany, biology, trigonometry, geometry, etc., every one of which is forgotten in after-life. Absolute coordination of eye, ear and hand is required of music students. What better training in concentration? Music students are nearly always found at the head of their classes in other studies. Enrollment in school bands reduces truancy, too. If your town has a crowd of bad boys, organize them into a band, buy them some bright new uniforms - then look out for results.
Music industry statistics indicate that there are in the United States more musicians than there are ministers or lawyers, and five times as many as there are journalists. This, of course, does not take into consideration the 32 million amateur musicians. There are now more than 210,000 school bands and orchestras. Incidentally, there are over 25,000,000 pianos, 640,000 music teachers and more than 10 million children taking music lessons in the United States. Over 300 cities have group piano classes using the improved and simplified "fun" methods, starting right at the beginning with tunes. The profession of teaching music is more lucrative than the teaching of any other one subject.
The boy or girl who plays a musical instrument is never a "wall flower," never lacks for company or amusement. He or she is the center of every group. Always in demand.
Wealthy parents can afford to employ private tutors to develop any musical talent their children may possess. But not so the average mechanic, farmer, or professional man whose income does not justify the expenditure. Musical talent should be developed in the public schools, just the same as any other talent.
If for no other reason, instrumental music should be taught in the public schools from a vocational standpoint. Every one of my readers probably knows at least one boy who, by playing a saxophone, cornet, guitar, piano or; drum earned enough money to pay his way through college earned easier and more pleasantly than by students who sold magazines, worked in restaurants, etc: Music is a dignified and highly desirable profession.
Approximately three billion dollars is spent annually in this country on music. The TV broadcasting stations alone will spend $50,000,000 this year. Artists too numerous to mention receive fabulous fees for public appearances. Leaders in all lines of human endeavor find relaxation in music of their own making.
Every child ought to have in public school the privilege of one music lesson each day, if he so desires. An elective study, or better still, a major study, if you please, with credit toward graduation. Three-fourths of the colleges and universities now accept music credits for entrance.
Music being the only art sent from Heaven to Earth, and the only earthly art that is taken back to Heaven, its study is naturally conducive to better citizenship, happier home life, and higher general standards of thought.
America is the greatest musical nation in the world, not so much in the acclaimed achievements of a few great composers, but in the actual daily participation in music. There are more pianos in use in this great country per thousand population than any other country in the world. You can derive more satisfaction from a one-finger, melody played on a piano than listening to the radio or watching television for hour.
No one ever heard a parent say that he was sorry his child played the piano.
Sure you’re both right - Why should any kid need -
SELF ESTEEM
Self-esteem. It means pride, self-respect, dignity and confidence. Some people have it and some people don’t. Why? No one knows for sure. But self esteem seems to be a combination of hard work, challenging oneself and looking at the bright side of things.
One of the best ways for a child to reap the rewards of self-esteem is by learning to play the piano. Taking piano lessons at an early age is a tremendous confidence builder. What other form of "exercise" allows a child to challenge himself or herself to the fullest by reading two lines of music, while simultaneously using both ears, arms, legs, feet, and all ten fingers. Once a child puts the energy into playing the piano, he or she starts to notice results, and begins to develop a new found confidence in completing tasks.
There are many ways that a child can develop a healthy sense of self. Encouragement and a positive attitude are of great help. These are traits that a music teacher can truly bring out in a student. Piano teachers know that "constructive criticism" and praise go a long way in helping a child feel good about what he or she has accomplished. Few children will become concert pianists. But virtually every one who takes piano lessons will benefit from increased concentration, coordination, and self-esteem.
Children who learn piano are more likely to have feelings of self worth because they are constantly challenging themselves. Sure, they may fail along the way. But as long as they’re moving forward, trying to improve their abilities, they’ll succeed in many ways that go beyond just learning to play music.
True self-esteem develops when a child not only learns something, but feels that he or she has a mastery over the subject. Even if a child can’t play a piece of music to perfection, as long as he feels he’s completed a tough assignment, he’ll have the confidence to move on and try new things.
A child won’t instantly develop self-esteem just by sitting down at a piano. It takes time and hard work. But the benefits that carry over from learning piano - better concentration in school work, improved interaction with peers and a feeling of self worth all help a child to keep his grades and his head up high.
Or Confidence
Of the "three C’s" of child development - concentration, coordination and confidence - the third "C", confidence, may be the most important of all. How many young children, let alone, adults, truly have the confidence it takes to enjoy life to its fullest?
Learning to play the piano at a young age is one of the finest methods of instilling confidence in a child. Psychologists and music therapists have expounded on the positive attributes that result when children study the piano - most notably in the areas of improved academic performance, better social interaction and the ability to overcome the fear of failure, to feel "special" about themselves.
Although linked closely with concentration and coordination, confidence is the attribute that may be less identifiable at first, although it reappears consistently throughout a child’s development. You can see it in how a child acts around his schoolmates, desires to be more assertive in class, and starts to "take the lead" in making decisions. Self-esteem results when a child learns something constructive and develops a sense of mastery. This doesn’t mean playing a song to perfection, but simply the ability to improve and complete assignments that at one time seemed overwhelming.
Piano lessons help a child gain this sense of accomplishment and well being in two ways. One, the child develops a close bond with a music teacher, who, by educating and encouraging the student, helps him or her feel a sense of worth. Second, the child is left alone to practice and, in turn, learns by himself or herself. These "practice sessions" help a child become aware of his or her abilities and gain self-confidence by expressing a sense of achievement. This interaction with the piano challenges a child and brings out positive attitudes and habits that improve learning and aid in growth an maturity.
The paramount object of piano lessons is to help develop well balanced human beings, capable of setting and achieving their highest goals. To get there it takes the power of concentration, coordination and confidence. . .which is often disguised as the power of positive thinking.
Or Character
What is character? It’s the quality that’s synonymous with honesty, self-discipline, dignity, respect and being well thought of. Most individuals who have "a lot of character" have developed this trait through hard work, being open minded and never running away from a challenge. Few people are born with character. Rather, it is that special something that is learned through doing. And one sure way to build character is by learning piano.
Taking piano lessons at an early age instills many character building traits in a child-perseverance, discipline, pride. When a child starts using all his faculties at once-arms, legs, fingers, ears, eyes, brain, he is developing his character. There is no easy road to playing the piano. But through persistence, a child makes progress, and from progress comes a feeling of satisfaction, of completing a difficult task.
Often we read about heroes who are the embodiment of character. Sometimes it is a sports star who overcame great obstacles and worked and worked until he reached a goal that at one time seemed insurmountable. In its own way, learning piano can turn an "ordinary" child into someone unique. As a child becomes motivated to take on the challenges that piano playing brings, he, in turn, develops valuable traits, such as character, that will last a lifetime.
All of us would like to be thought of as someone who has character. Someone who leads rather than follows. Someone who can both accept credit and admit defeat. A child who takes piano lessons gets a taste of what molds one’s character. He may get a "high" from completing his first piece of music, but suffer a "low" when confronted with a more difficult assignment.
No matter how many emotional swings a child may feel from learning piano-in the long run, the results are positive. The child matures. He is able to solve other problems more quickly. He gets along well with his classmates. He has developed not only a range of musical skills, he has developed something that will stay with him forever; his character.
Go and watch Star Search - This week they’re having a Rap Program.
Thank you ver much for your detailed and thought provoking comments.
Forced lessons can create a deep resentment as well. I didn’t get my piano because it was played and plaed and played. Once the generous donor and her siblings finished their lessons, and she said forced lessons, not one of them ever touched the piano again. They had no reverence for it, they lost their love of music, and resented their parents and grandmother for it. Those feelings lasted their lifetime. It was only now that their mother died that they finally gave the piano away. In the meantime it was a 1200lbs paperweight. Fortunately because it is of excellent making it still works, and quite well. It was so seriously out of tune, but I had it looked at and it’s a miracle, but it’s perfect. Not a single string snapped. I’ll have to have it retuned a 2nd time this fall, to make sure it’s in perfect pitch. So far, I still haven’t noticed any change in pitch, and naturally I have perfect pitch. (A gift from my late father.)
Some people aren’t good at structure. I’m one of them. It was noticed at a very young age. I’ve developed into an adult with a keen sense of self, and a deep passion for many things. My social skills are out of this world, and my learning ability is phenominal considering the challenges I have faced. I have ADHD and no amount of help to concentrate can be created. Only a love for a certain subject will be concentrated on, and if the fun and enjoyment is taken out of it I can tell you honestly that it isn’t long before the message gets across that it isn’t going to work. This is in every aspect of life, in fact. Only the allowance and freedom to learn at one’s own rate and choice of subject can make certain peole thrive. I know it’s completely counter with society, but that’s the way the ADHD brain works sometimes. I was squeezed tightly into the "norm" of this world, and I only rebelled. Making my own music and learnging my own way has made me happy. WOuld I have loved lessons? Now, as an adult, I can say yes. But, to be honest I know for a fact that they would have killed me inside, and created a bigger rift than there already was between me and my stepfather. My mother was more compassionate and learned by grade 7 that I wasn’t going to be like the other kids. Some kids have a natural talent, and can excel far beyond what people think they are capable of, and need to be allowed to explore themselves and find their own niche in society. We cannot be moulded by others. If at the cost of snuffing the inner light of a child, the big question is, "Why would anyone want to even try?"
Thank you again for you comments though. I enjoyed reading your views and opinions.
Although I am all for learning and music and realize the benifits of both and the importance in a childs life, I lean more to what Broccoli says - a child is an individual and some will do great with lessons both wanting and enjoying them, others, not so much, and one needs a bit more creativity in helping them fulfill their potential.That is the parents main job - getting to know their child, recognizing their individual strong points and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and helping a child develop into a happy and self confidant person.
Bob - since you have such a way with words and obviously quite a lot to say, why not join us and write in the blog? If you are interested send me a pm :-)