Kayla Buchanan

1. Why learning music is beneficial to children's development

2. Why a music teacher thinks you should learn music

3. A students perspective on learning music

4. My perspective on learning music

At the End Of The Lesson, You Should Know

1. Why learning music is beneficial to children's development

2. Why a music teacher thinks you should learn music

3. A students perspective on learning music

4. My perspective on learning music

What is Learning Music?

Learning music is in retrospect, learning a whole new language. Some might not see learning music as a new language but music comes with its own way of communication. You may not be using your mouth to learn music but you are learning notes, time signatures, tempo, rhythm, and how to muli-task. Just like any new language, learning music takes time, it takes patience, confidence, and motivation. Many people say that the easiest instrument to learn is the drum but many people don't know, there are hundreds of drums and different pitches for the different drums but most think the drums are the easiest mainly because it's just rhythm. Unfortunately, drums are not a section but percussion is a section is. And percussion is composed of many pitched and un-pitched instruments. and I for one agree with that statement. I found that just learning rhythm was easier than learning the different mouth shapes, arm positions, and finger positions than it was to learn instruments in the percussion family such as the glockenspiel or the snare drum.

Explain why learning music is beneficial to children development

Learning music is beneficial to children because it helps with their cognitive development meaning it helps with auditory perception. According to most music teachers that I have come in contact with over the years, learning music is also beneficial to the social component of school life as a child. Not only does music help with cognitive development but music also has health benefits. According to Carnegie Hall music “Music can regulate a child’s breathing as well as help the development of premature babies". When scanning a regular person's brain versus someone who studies music it was found that the scan was more active and was lit up more in the auditory cortex. Fun fact, music helps to relieve stress and build an appreciation for composers. Any age can learn music as well. From baby music classes all the way up to composing. You can always learn something new!

Explaining why a music teacher thinks you should learn music.

Music helps to make an oasis away from problems and it can also make the day go by a little bit easier. Mr. Robert's motto is “music is good for the soul”. Starting when I had Mr. Robert as a music teacher back when I was attending Chicago Public Schools, he used to always urge us to keep music as an escape, a way to express ourselves without turning to drugs and violence since he does teach in Chicago where many kids fall down the wrong path.

Learning a student's perspective of learning music.

When I sat down with Rylee, she insisted that we do her interview in front of her beloved piano. She started by telling me how much she loves the look of the piano, how fancy it made her feel and she loved that it made noise. Rylee is the third child out of four with her being the second youngest and says that music is a way to make her feel “less alone”. Rylee is in private piano lessons with the Dallas school of music two days a week where she works one on one with a college student from SMU (Southern Methodist University). She says she has made many friends while going to recitals as well. When asked about why music was so important to her Rylee said it was important because music “helps quite her younger sister (who is 3) and stops her tantrums right away.

What Learning means to me

Music has been my entire life. From as young as I can remember I have been learning music. From sleeping with classical music was playing, to taking baby percussion classes at the JCC in Chicago (Jewish Community Center), to being in the elementary school band, to being section leader and behind the scenes crew for the band all the way up to graduation from marching band my senior year of high school. For as long as I can remember, Music has always been my go-to whenever I am stressed or sad and I believe that everyone should find their home away from home. And my home away from home is music.

My Background with the Interviewed People

The first interview that I had was with Ms.Rylee. Rylee is my 8-year-old cousin who has always been dedicated to the performing arts whether it be art, music, or dance. watching her grow up into this musical ball of energy has been a joy. For as long as I have known her and watched her, the one thing that has never changed was that music is her life. It doesn't matter if we are in public or not. She is drawn to the music. As she continues to grow and learn more within her musical journey, I am extremely excited to see where she ends up.

The second interview that I had was with Mr.Robert. Without giving too much information on him, per his request, he is an elementary school band teacher with the Chicago Public Schools. In 2009 when I met Mr.Robert everyone could see the happiness and dedication he had toward his students and seeing them succeed. Mr. Robert was not only a music teacher to us, but he was a great mentor. His door was always open. It didn't matter what we needed help in. Everyone could go to him for anything whether it be Math help, English help, or even just having a hard time socially with friends, he always gave the best advice. I had the honor of being in his first solo band class and he drove my musical inspiration. He is also one of the main reasons I have decided to pursue a degree in elementary education.

Interview Highlights:

Q. What type of music are you into?

Rylee: I like 6ix9ine.

Mr. Robert: Anything with a great fast tempo. More towards the Latin American Side.

Q. How long have you studied music?

Rylee: I studied music since I was 3 years old.

Mr.Robert: I started out in the high school band. That's when I knew I wanted to make music part of the rest of my life. And I will continue to do so until I can't teach anymore.

Q. How has COVID affected your motivation for music?

Rylee: My parents won't let me play the piano often. They say it's too loud and I don't like playing It in the basement.

Mr. Robert: You know, music classes have been pushed online. So trying to get a bunch of fourth-graders to play at specific times and being able to hear everyone just isn't working out. I've only really been able to teach the reading of the music side of music. But that sucks because this is when passion is instilled. When they are this young they love trying new things and aren't being influenced greatly by others. So I know that once people start having opinions on what's "socially acceptable and not "socially acceptable" the rates for this class will begin to drop drastically.

Q. What motivated you to start studying music?

Rylee: My aunt Sylvia

Mr. Robert: I've always have been mesmerized by all types of music. The tempo, the beats, the different genres. The meaning behind the different styles of music. It's just amazing. 100% Amazing. Have you ever just sat and listened to a certain song and it brought you back to sitting with your mom or dad. It really lets you mentally relive moments. Just like how certain smells bring you back to your past. For me, it connects me to my grandfather. The one who taught me about jazz and the blues. The man who raised me and I truly play music in a way that brings me back to sitting with him on our front porch. So my grandfather motivated me to start studying music.

References:

Why Making Music Matters Music and Early Childhood Development, www.carnegiehall.org/Blog/2016/01/Why-Making-Music-Matters-Music-and-Early-Childhood-Development.

The importance of music and movement - niu - child development and family center. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.chhs.niu.edu/child-center/resources/articles/music-and-movement.shtml

Bradley-Kramer, D. (2018, June 04). Music and cognitive development. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://museacademybk.com/musings/music-and-cognitive-development

Posted: March 13, 2. (n.d.). 16 benefits of playing an instrument. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://pianopower.org/16-benefits-of-playing-an-instrument/

Answers:

Cognitive

Social Reasons