Essential Life Skills Learnt Through Music

Learning music helps us develop so many skills of which we may not even be aware - there's a lot more to it than learning how to read the dots on the page. Music provides students with a wide range of essential life skills that can be valuable in various areas of life. Note by note, these are the essential life skills learnt through music.

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1. Focus and concentration: When playing an instrument or performing music, concentration is crucial. Music trains individuals to focus their attention on specific details such as rhythm, tempo, and melody, helping to develop strong concentration skills that can be applied to other tasks.
   

2. Perseverance and Resilience: Mastering an instrument or learning to sing well takes time and effort. Music teaches individuals to persevere through challenges, setbacks, and the need for continuous improvement. In a world where instant gratification is easily available, learning music is an important way to develop perseverance and resilience.
   

3. Confidence: Music can boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Performing in front of an audience, receiving positive feedback, and achieving musical goals contribute to a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance.
   

4. Time management: Balancing practice sessions, rehearsals, performances, and other commitments in a musician's life requires effective time management skills. Learning music helps individuals prioritise their activities and manage their time efficiently.
   

5. Creativity: Music encourages creativity and self-expression. Through composing, improvising, and interpreting music, individuals develop their imaginative thinking and problem-solving skills.
   

6. Emotional intelligence: Music evokes emotions and allows individuals to explore and express their feelings. By engaging with music, people can develop emotional intelligence, which includes recognising and understanding their own emotions as well as empathising with others' emotions.
   

7. Communication skills: Musicians often communicate through non-verbal cues, such as body language, gestures, and musical expressions. Learning music enhances communication skills by teaching individuals to convey ideas, emotions, and messages effectively without relying solely on words.
   

8. Joy: Music is an important way for students to cultivate joy in their lives. There are numerous psychological benefits to the experience of joy, contentment and happiness - believe it or not this is an important skill to develop too. Learning music offers a way to relieve stress and work through emotions. This is sometimes an overlooked aspect of music learning - simply learning for the joy of it!

For further benefits of learning music watch the following video below by Albert Franz. Albert struggled to learn piano as a child, however he persevered. He did not stop or quit- he learnt piano as an adult. Now a Bösendorfer Artist based in Vienna, his debut album was an official jury nomination for the German Record Critics' Award. As an international keynote speaker, Albert has presented frequently at TEDx conferences and spoken on children's rights at the United Nations. Have a listen to what Albert identifies as the key benefits of learning music.

In conclusion, music is an important tool for personal growth and development. Crescendo Music Tuition believes in supporting each individual student in their unique musical pathway in a positive, fun and safe environment. References: Australian Government. (n.d.). Musical Benefits. Learning Potential. https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/articles/musical-benefits

Key-notes. (2018, August 29). 21 Benefits of Learning a Musical Instrument [Video]. Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm0xREePFtw

Steinway & Sons. (n.d.). The Benefits of Playing Piano. https://www.steinway.com/news/features/the-benefits-of-playing-piano