The Power of Music
How about…..Quit Your Job. Buy a Cello. And Get Paid to Change the World through Music!
Turns Out We All Should Engage with Music. Now there’s a thought. But what does this really mean?
Music is powerful and can have a dramatic effect on us.
As, John Haltiwanger on Science says: “Music makes everything better.
It brings people together, and reminds them what a gift it is to be alive and breathing.
Good music is like good food, it’s just plain good. It doesn’t matter where it originated, it’s universally palatable. It transcends both space and time. It unifies people; breaching seemingly impenetrable cultural and generational divides.
Music inspires laughter, tears, song and dance. It’s simultaneously soothing and emotive. It works its way from the top of your head down to the tips of your toes; breathing new energy into every fibre of your body.
Music tells stories, captures complex emotions and breeds diversity. It expresses the inexpressible, making hard times easier, and good times even better.”
One of the Fascinating Features of Music is the Way it has Spectacular Power to Impact our Judgments.
For instance – Music can even influence our sensory perception – our perception of flavour.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra performed recently at a ‘Wine & Music Matching’ Masterclass in the Orchestra’s rehearsal room at Sydney’s Circular Quay, to explore how music can change our sense of taste.
As the Masterclass Testers were tasting the identical wine sipped from each glass, they were listening to different pieces of music played. Some Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven and a modern except from early 20th century Webern. The same wine in each glass with the only changes being the music.
But, as each different music piece played along with each same wine sample, the testers profoundly changed their assessment of the wine.
It happens! It’s sometimes called synaesthesia.
Music is one of the most Impressive and Beautiful Achievements of the human race and deserves a permanent place in Education.
And how can we not be excited by the prospect of Music Benefits with long-term Positive Effects?
Like I need an excuse to revisit the fascinating work of Anita Collins. Anita Collins shares how learning music influences our brain development, and what this means for musical education.
Anyway, the question being asked….. ‘IS PLAYING MUSIC AN OPTION?’
My friend Ginny wants To Play a Musical Instrument. But, It Won’t Be for a Career. And, it’s not going to Make Big Money. So, can this be a Process to Change her World?
Playing a musical instrument is a lifestyle choice that, if practiced correctly, is something that we all can find success in.
But, the pace of daily life in our scrolling, web-surfing culture that fragments concentration and swallows spare time, if we actually have any of that, is ill-suited to the mental absorption of learning music.
Learning a musical instrument is not fast. This is not in that part of life that shouts ‘overnight success!’
It’s not about instant results in an instant world where everything is at our finger tips to consume quickly. Our learning swiping motion is ineffective while learning instrument fingerings – especially if the instrument is an oboe! And there are no apps to take over the sheer persistence of practice.
Not to worry though. If you want to play music beautifully, you have to know how to play a musical instrument beautifully. It’s like nothing you’ve experienced before.
‘In the beginning – at first they say we sound awful. In fact you’re probably going to sound terrible.
And then one day after much practising, rearranging your life to fit in extra fun gigs, upgrading from that first instrument to a real one, and loving every moment of the process. You think, you know that your playing doesn’t sound too bad. By the end of the term it’s well wow! You rock the socks off.’
In a new series on Channel 4 world-renowned classical pianist James Rhodes says music education in the UK has been “decimated”, bemoaning the fact that learning a musical instrument is now seen as a luxury. And, a 2013 Ofsted report showed quality music education was reaching just a minority of pupils. And James asks families in Britain to donate old musical instruments left languishing in cupboards to those who need them.
Richard Gill has some very interesting insights into children’s music education and why it’s a must have for all children.
Because, as long as instrumental music instruction is offered as part of the school day, it remains one of the best ways for kids to learn to be great thinkers, citizens, innovators and human beings. That is the power in instrumental music education. The intellectual growth and happiness of our children depend on us keeping music alive and well in our communities.
The San Diego Youth Symphony’s Community Opus Project, is really interesting.
One of many music education programs sponsored by The NAMM Foundation, helps to introduce at-risk youth to the benefits of music making. Seventh grader Bruno Bello shares how this El Sistema-inspired program has changed his life, and the way he sees his future. Bruno has been a student since 2010.
There’s Only Two Kinds of Music! Good Music. And Bad Music!
So? What Really Is Music?
Chatting with retired musos around the dinner table, conversation inevitably turns to music loved or music unloved. Picking a favourite music genre is as impossible as deciding which musical instrument is best! Are we classical music lovers or loathers? Can we agree on something? Anything!
Here is the beautiful thing…It’s actually very hard to explain.
Something that can take your breath away. It just grabs your heart and away you go. A Language of exquisite melodies and astounding rhythms connected to the universe! Music captures something within our hearts, our souls, something that is huge. A Something we all can always connect with.
There are so many interesting conversations to have about Music and it is pointless to argue which Music is best.
And in all fairness we all play favourites! Music Favourites. Best genres. Best sounding instruments! So many choices!
My local newspaper last week covered stories about Musical Theatre; a Classical Gala Evening with an impressive array of sopranos and tenors and string quartets; a High Vibes Hip Hop Festival, and a gig for junior musos at the Brisbane Music Conference.….pitched to young people looking at a career in the music industry.
And you can find news about a concert with the Italian Chamber Orchestra; or the electronic duo Hermitude and music that people can dance to, and sing along to.
Or Bach, maybe Vivaldi. It’s all out there happening in the community.
But what about Fiona who loves Punk Music. It’s what started her love for music! Well, everyone’s favourite DJ Duo Peking Duk are heading for global superstardom and they’re bringing their friends along for the ride.
I’m into Music. It’s a life changing process. I really love it.
It always holds that special place in my heart. But then I love being a musician.
Cheers Chrissy
Chrissy Tetley
Kids Love Music
Children’s Music Education is too important to be minimized or overlooked.
Articles and lists of why children need to be learning music are easily found on the net.
Everything from improved brains to social and educational benefits. So we can conclusively establish that learning to play a musical instrument is vital for everyone.
Yet, educational authorities have allowed music to be marginalized in many schools.
It seems kids have stopped listening to classical music or learning to play an orchestral instrument? And apparently, 75% of high school students in the US never or rarely take lessons in arts or music. This is not looking good.
I would like to see every school with orchestras, bands, choirs and a good supply of musically competent teachers. Because there’s nothing like enjoying an orchestra playing your favorite music to help you feel great as it rebuilds you from the inside out.
Anyway, what does Richard Gill the highly respected advocate for Children’s Music Education say?
“Don’t be fooled into thinking that because children are listening to pop music at school they are receiving a music education. Indeed, just listening to music of any kind is not music education. What’s more if you peel away the pop jargon, the music the kids are listening to is essentially a simple melody – lots of rhythm and just a waste of time.”
Call me grumpy perhaps, but I have to say, nothing annoys me more than seeing children choosing entertainment through technology.
For instance, kids on a device. IPhone, iPad, spending time scrolling through Facebook and Pinterest images while sorting out twitter feeds.
And there is more. In general education, formal learning is under fire. Have you read about the growing attitudes of some groups of children towards learning in general. A ten year old said this in our local newspaper.
“You Don’t Do School and you just live and learn things…I do whatever I feel like I want to do.”
Mmmm – he will struggle learning music with this attitude. Music is a privilege and a joy but does include attitudes of commitment and hard work.
So! How can we motivate kids to Learn To Play Music? And, how do we motivate the reluctant ones to do so?
Perhaps we might learn something from Youth Sports?
Many children participate in youth sports each year? Viewed as a rite of passage in a child’s development, parents believe that youth sports are good for their kids.
If the clichés that permeate sports broadcasts and locker room speeches are to be believed, sports participation teaches children the value of hard work, builds character, and develops future leaders.
Young children follow and like their sporting heroes and want to be as good as them.
I’m not going to beat about the bush. I think it’s time we considered this a model for Children’s Music Education? Finding music heroes for children to choose to like and follow? Asking this question: ‘Who is your absolute favourite classical musician?’
The real problem is so often children don’t know what music they don’t know about! The music they haven’t heard.
They don’t know what they’re missing until they hear it. And, by tapping into their inner core that loves music, and selecting music outside their experience which will inspire, encourage and motivate, kids can be encouraged to turn around for another look or listen or both. And then it’s: “Oh! I lOVE this music!”
As a former teacher and musician I realise that Kids think classical music is all too complicated and long. My conversation with Kids can go a little bit like this.
“Oh! Chrissy! You actually like Classical Music? Oh I’ll never listen to Classical Music! I don’t like it at all”
“Classical Music” I reply, “should be a grand excuse for stepping out of the world to share exquisite moments of sheer bliss. There’s the have to have music you love to listen to, over and over again. And the magnificent music that keeps us spellbound – the music that you don’t want to ever end.”
As my friend Ginny says: “With classical music you never know what you’re going to get. Some concerts are so exquisite I have to stop myself sobbing out loud.”
Teach Kids Music!
Anyway, moving on. Whether kids play an instrument, sing along, or enjoy the music played by others, every child deserves an adult who will understand how a child can become the very best they can possibly be.
To be sure, teachers who patiently sit through countless music recitals and question their sanity at encouraging those trumpet or violin lessons need do so no longer. A musical moment shared with even one other person, is a treasure that exists at no other time, in no other way.
To be honest I believe the way forward is in ‘Live Music’ being a part of everyone’s day to day. Yet it is not for the majority of people. So why be part of it? Why not we need to ask?”
Stephen P Brown says: “Think about what your plans are tonight or this weekend. Are there simply not enough concerts? Yes – I did just say that.”
When most people think of classical music they think of an orchestra at a large concert hall, but music is far greater than being confined to an exotic square box for a night out once a month or twice a year When someone comes home from work without anything in the calendar (i.e. kids’ sports or band practice, etc.), what do they do? They think of going to a movie, or a restaurant. Perhaps visit a museum at the weekend, or a walk in the park. Some like to annoy a neighbour or family, whilst others potter in the garden.
The more concerts we host, the more they will enter people’s minds; the more the press will include them in the “what to do” listings online and in their papers; the more they will be accessible at times and places more convenient than now. The more concerts you arrange, even for a handful of people, the more music grows to become an essential part of their lives, and at the moment that is truly a God-given gift that most people are missing out on.
Now, hold that thought! On this theme of ‘Go to a concert’ Everyone likes Street Concerts!
And, what can be more exciting for most people than the involvement in sharing live music, whether it be classical, jazz or pop!
Which brings me to the very recent street concert in Sydney. “Visions of Vienna”
The sails of the Sydney Opera House were alive with moving images of paintings by famous Austrian artists. And the music presented in the Opera House Concert Hall by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Austrian Conductor Ola Rudner was a colourful selection of polkas, waltzes and marches. As the music played the people in the street began to dance. It was wonderful, colourful and glamorous!
I think it’s time we found new and innovative ways to make music training more widely available to young people, and to start this during childhood.
When his Auntie left him a piano in her will, Welsh singer, Aled Jones decided he wanted to learn to play Beatles Songs on his very own piano. Needless to say this intriguing beginning began his career with the end result – Aled’s first self-titled album by the time he was 11.
We’ve reached the beginning of the end.
Which brings me to Kids’ Educational Stories about Music. You see, I can’t resist the opportunity to once again mention my children’s books. Just thought I’d throw in a plug for it while we’re all here.
Classical music! Coffee and a good book!
Sounds like a plan!
Cheers Chrissy
