When I need to alphabetize something, I have no problem with the beginning of the alphabet. But once I get to “M” or so, I revert to a trick I learned in first grade. I sing the Alphabet Song.
Music is an element of learning for kids even before they learn to read. In fact, recent studies show that kids who learn how to play piano songs have better grades and higher SAT scores. Schools that once were failing have improved their performance for their kids when they add a serious music program. In Hungary, under the influence of Zoltan Kodaly, kids are taught to sing in elementary school. By third grade, Hungarian pupils sing well and on pitch and throughout their academic careers, they score high in math and science.
Learning music has been shown to enhance abilities to learn both math and language. Researchers think this is due to improved spatial-temporal reasoning. In fact, when a student learns how to play piano songs, she engages both the left and the right hemispheres of the brain. When she hears a melody, or tries to replicate it by ear, she relies on the right hemisphere. When she learns to read music and follow the progression of notes, she uses the left hemisphere.
In addition to cognitive functions of the brain, learning music enhances emotional growth and interpersonal maturity. Music can be both an individual and a group activity. When you learn that you start to play when another instrument has gotten to a certain part of the score, you learn skills in collaboration that carry over into other activities. When you learn that playing all the right notes is only the first step of playing music, and that making the music beautiful requires an emotional contribution from the musician, you start to learn about the importance of emotional intelligence.
Music also enhances emotional maturity by teaching both discipline and reward. You learn discipline because you cannot fake it. You need to practice and prepare in order to play the right notes on the right beats. And, conversely, if you put in the practice and preparation, you will make progress and start to excel and will learn how to play piano songs, getting the right notes on the right beats.
Learning music also has the quality of providing cultural richness. You don’t need to be able to speak the same language in order to play music with someone or to enjoy a musician’s work. Music cuts across racial, educational, cultural and linguistic divides and offers the musician a glimpse of another period of history or another part of the world. Learning music can illuminate studies in literature, history and geography.
And lastly, learning music is beautiful. Music is an incomparable gift that we can give our children. We may wish to do so in order for them to excel in other areas. But the gift carries with it the unabashed gift of music itself.
Do you wish to learn to play piano? Or do you have a child who does? Find out more about Rocket Piano.
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Worthwhile internet site and intriguing post. I love piano a lot. I have marked it to come back later. Even if you are on the right track- you will get run over if you just sit there