Bravura Music Academy

Seeing joy - Hearing beauty - Touching lives  

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Why Music

Music is everything  Duke Elington
Why Study Music ?
 
Given the time and energy required from both child and parent why study music?  Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

Music for its own sake
There are many social, developmental and emotional benefits to studying music. (Many of which are discussed below).  But one of the primary benefits has to be the learning to play music for its own sake.  Music is one of the most universal and deepest expressions of the human spirit.  Every culture has music and that music often defines who we are.  Music is also a means of self-expression allowing the musician to express his or her own experience of the world.  
As listeners we are all touched by music but a full appreciation and understanding comes only through participation and study.  Making music enhances our enjoyment and appreciation when we listen to music.  

Music for Fun
Music is not fun in the way riding a roller coaster or playing a new video game is fun.  The fun of music comes from mastering difficult skills and techniques.  

In his research of optimal experiences, psychologist Mihaly Csiksznetmahalyi found that deep satisfying happiness comes from experiences that promote what he calls flow.  These experiences are those in which we are pushed to the limit of our abilities and yet are able to maintain control and mastery. (For more information on this see:  Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csiksznetmahalyi, 1990)
 
Music often gives children their first experience of flow.  This experience teaches them that working hard and practicing consistently can bring a joy much greater than the immediate gratification of transient desires offered by TV and video games.  

Emotional and Social Benefits of Music
Self discipline, patience, learning to take criticism, sensitivity and concentration are all known benefits of studying music.  What is often overlooked are the social benefits for studying music.  After a child’s parents the strongest influence on social development is a child’s peer group.  For young musicians this peer group usually includes many of the brightest and most disciplined children.  This translates into less drug abuse, discipline problems and higher overall achievement. 

Academic Benefits of Music
Studying music has shown to enhance abstract reasoning, increase verbal memory, lead to higher SAT scores and to enhance the focus and efficiency of brain activity.

Scientific Studies of the Benefits of Music

For a detailed description of all these benefits and more including the scientific studies to back them up visit:
https://www.menc.org/information/advocate/facts.html
http://www.steinway.com/noteworthy/education/value_music_education.shtml
http://www.increasebrainpower.com/benefits-of-music-education.html
 
 
Email:  maestro@bravuramusicacademy.com
Call us at: (865) 531-1890
921 Green Hills Road
Knoxville, TN 37919