How important is Music?

The importance of music for children- (and everyone else!) 

The importance of music is a subject often covered in the 'round the pub table' sort of setting and is one that many people have very passionate opinions on whether they are musicians or not. I would like this blog to look at the importance of music for children from as many angles as possible from academic, to expressive, even as an aid to identity. And as usual I would love to hear your thoughts. 

So I would like to begin with the idea that music is in fact intrinsic to life...this is the idea that it is built into us before we even know about it. This is something that I strongly believe, it is evident in children from a young age. Babies use lyrical sounds before actual words and even learn words through musical inflection. Think of the way you talk to a baby, many people tend to automatically sing at them. But why is this? 

We could look at parts of the brain and get incredibly scientific at this point and there is valid evidence about the brain and how it works and reacts to modes such as music, but I ask you for a moment just to humanly think about what music makes you FEEL? Wether the answer to that question is positive or negative I would hasten to say that the answer is not 'nothing.' It makes all of us feel something and that is what tells me that it is in fact intrinsic. 

At my recent taught session for my CME we compiled lists of why children like/dislike music and needless to say the lists were filled with everything from self identity, peer pressure, the pure noise, freedom, social aspects, being just a few of the positives and almost the same things appearing on the negative list as reasons to dislike it too. So it is becoming more and more clear that it truly effects us all in a variety of ways. 

There is evidence to show that the sounds and patterns of music are an aid to learning, it is a base level skill. For example; our childhood is filled with nursery rhymes which truly should be given more credit as they are a real aid to learning and are something that stick with us right through life, I wonder if they would have had the same impact without their melodies, would we have remembered them as clearly if they were spoken stories? 

As a teenager, my social group was largely formed around music taste as I'm sure was the case for many people, it is a powerful enough thing that it can even influence the kind of people that you become friends with and spend recreational time with. On a separate note as an instrumental teacher this is an important point to consider especially when teaching 11-18 year olds, in my experience this is the age group that becomes more socially aware of what makes them 'cool' music wise and all sorts of peer stigmas start to set into place, influencing their motivation to learn instruments and their choices of which instrument to play. 

So as well as social groups forming around music styles there are also clear cultural groups when it comes to music, some of the more well known genres include, Reggae, Country, Rock 'n' Roll, Hip Hop. All of these genres have a certain culture attached to them, many of these genres roots go deeper than the rhythms and melodies of the music. Reggae and Ska was really first brought to Britain in the early 60's, it wasn't until late 60's when Reggae truly started to gain airplay and a place in the British music scene, and it had travelled four and a half thousand miles, this is just one example of the power of music and its connection to culture. 

So when considering how important music is to children and students we first have to consider the massive importance and effect it has on socialising, culture, learning, mood, relationships and the world really. The recent passing of David Bowie was a bitter sweet reminder of the importance of music in peoples lives, his music wasn't just melodies and lyrics, it influenced styles, attitudes and cultures in every period, it completely broke the boundaries down and made people feel accepted and free. In his passing it is even more apparent what an idol he was to many people and it all lives on in his music. 

Music is a powerful medium and should not be underestimated, it is something that is not only important to children and learning but is powerful enough that it often stays with people through generations. My Dad brought me up listening to old rock n roll vinyl's that he listened to from a young age, he and I still listen to them now, music is timeless and this is another great example of its importance and power to outlive us!  

As an instrumental teacher I feel it is very important to encourage my students to explore these avenues music provides. My focus as a teacher is to allow music to be an expressive subject and find the avenue that means most to my students as individuals. Whether this is theory, improvisation, history, performance or exams, I aim to find what is important to them and use this for the most effective learning. 

This is not to say that the other avenues should be ignored, the options should be there but knowing how to balance them and utilise favourites is something we can look at over time and learn as teachers to harness the right thing in our students to benefit them the best we can.