Music can be the bane of one parent’s existence and a blessing to another. There is a popular debate about whether music–particularly listening to music–is a positive or negative influence on students, but what about playing an instrument? Playing an instrument does take a lot of skill and talent, but does it help students perform better academically?
Believe it or not, tinkering artfully with the keys of a piano or strumming away on a guitar has proven to be beneficial to one’s academic performance. Both playing an instrument and succeeding in academics require many similar skills. For example, music requires certain math skills such as counting and subdividing notes rhythmically. Also, the skill of interpreting certain rhythms and tone styles into movements and technique improves reading and comprehension skills.
According to the Lawrence Township Public School District, “students at schools with excellent music programs had higher English test scores across the country than students in schools with low-quality music programs; this was also true when considering mathematics.” Because certain skills are already ingrained in students with musical experience, it is no surprise that students who play instruments tend to be more academically skilled.
Not only does it subconsciously help students pick up academic skills, it provides certain life skills that are crucial for learning. Ryan Beaudet ‘17 reminds us of some of these skills like “good time management for both practice and school work as well as work ethic.” A musical hobby can help students learn organization and responsibility, which leads to application of these concepts in their academics. Students who play an instrument understand the amount of work it takes to be dedicated to success as well as responsibility. They gain the ability to better balance their lives and therefore excel overall.
Yet another important aspect necessary for learning is focus. With so much important information compacted into short classes, focus is an extremely important yet often neglected skill. With all the distractions occurring in students’ lives, it can be hard to pay attention. Luckily for students who play instruments, a key aspect of practice is how “your mind becomes more focused,” as Zoe Pan ‘18 noted.
Beaudet ‘17 also mentions how playing music has helped him become “more focused and attentive to what [he is] doing.” The precision it takes to play an instrument allows a student to concentrate more freely.
If you haven’t already, try learning another instrument. Not only will you gain a wonderful new talent, but you may also subconsciously start excelling as a student!