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    Enrichment

    The Many Benefits of Music Lessons

    Washington Parent StaffBy 4 Mins Read
    Noam Armonn/Bigstock.com

    Does your child love to sing? Love plunking on the piano or pounding on the
    drum? Do you think you might have a future musician in your home? The
    average cost of private music lessons ranges from $15-40 per half hour
    (takelessons.com). Keep in mind the cost will vary depending on location
    and the expertise of the teacher. With these numbers, private lessons cost
    parents $1,000 to $2,000 a year. Let’s look at some short- and long-term
    benefits of music lessons.

    • Discipline

      Learning to play beautiful music doesn’t happen overnight. All students
      must start from the beginning by playing scales and mastering basic skills.
      In our society instant gratification is the norm. Music teaches the value
      of patience and discipline because children must set aside time for
      practice and make it part of their routine in order to further their
      skills.

    • Work ethic

      Music teaches children a good work ethic because they see the value of
      practice as they improve and reach new achievements. Students will learn
      how dedication creates good results, while failing to do all the necessary
      practice results in mediocre results. These lessons carry into school
      studies and future employment.

    • Memory

      Is your child always forgetting things? Music requires kids to practice
      memorization. Even if sheet music is used, students memorize how to play
      each note and the sheet music eventually becomes a guide. Students can use
      their developing memorization skills in a variety of ways in school and at
      home.

    • Math and language skills

      Music helps develop math and language skills that give kids an edge in
      school. “Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of
      the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is
      better developed with music.” (National Association for Music Education)

    • Teamwork

      Teamwork isn’t just for sports. Music students may have an opportunity to
      participate in a band or orchestra. This provides kids experience working
      as a team and a sense of camaraderie. Teamwork develops social skills that
      they will use for a lifetime.

    • Confidence and social development

      Kids will gain confidence as they begin to perform music for an audience.
      This helps kids learn to face their fears and builds self-esteem. As kids
      build up this confidence, they are more likely to boost their communication
      skills and have increased social development.

    • Lifelong challenge

      In music, there is always room for improvement. This creates the
      opportunity for students of any age to improve and challenge themselves for
      many years to come.

    • Stress relief

      Playing an instrument can be an outlet for kids. Music can be relaxing and
      a form of stress relief, as well as a way to express oneself creatively.
      Kids who have this outlet are less likely to find negative ways to relieve
      stress, like drugs and alcohol.

    • Expression and creativity

      Kids who play music are trained to think creatively. The ability to think
      outside of the box in many other situations is a coveted asset among many
      employers.

    • Improved coordination

      Kids who play instruments develop their hand-eye coordination. Just like in
      sports, playing an instrument requires these skills and develops their
      motor skills.

    • Higher test scores

      Studies show that children who are exposed to music education have higher
      SAT scores and better grades in school overall. (Children’s Music Workshop)

    • Introduces children to other cultures

      kids are exposed to other cultures through music, teaching them awareness
      and empathy for others. This helps them become more accepting of other
      cultures at an early age.

    My daughter recently started taking piano lessons. As I sat in the room
    observing her first lesson, I witnessed something. As she played her first
    chord, a smile spread across her face. It was clear she has a true love for
    music. To me, this makes the cost of lessons worth it.

    Sources:

    Beautiful Music Resources in the DMV

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