PRIMARY DEVELOPMENT

The process of learning music is very mathematical and linguistic, based on symbols and relationships and the combination of those symbols into a larger meaningful structure (as in language). To learn music helps the young student develop understanding of temporal and spatial relationships; improves the ability to comprehend grammar; and ultimately helps the student develop the ability for self expression. The relationship between the music student and the private teacher is a unique one that teaches all these skills like no other modality because the student is required to interract directly and solely with the teacher thus developing the ability to communicate well in advance of other non-musical peers. Starting music lessons while the child is in Preschool or Kindergarten is the best time to maximize the benefits gained later on.

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Music is built upon sounds that are sustained for different lengths of time (rhythm). The relationship of a beat, dividing it in half and in thirds is taught in music years before the related subject of fractions is taught in school mathematics. The regular application of adding, subtracting and dividing rhythmic units (beats and notes) in music develops very crucial spatial and temporal skills that equate to excelled learning in mathematics and science throughout the years of eduation.

ONE-ON-ONE: The teaching relationship during a private music lesson is one-on-one, which means the student must interract with the teacher for the entire lesson. In classrooms, students can hide behind the group and work with the group dynamic to perform successfully. In a private lesson, the child must learn to respond independently. At first this situation is very difficult because the child is usually not used to responding to adults other than the parents, and usually not in a learning situation. Developing the child's ability to answer assertively, accept not knowing or being wrong, and asking questions are the first important skills a music education gives a child.

WORKING INDEPENDENTLY: Although music teaching materials are carefully constructed to provide proper instruction and direction at every step, a music student is required to work more independently at an earlier age than in other educational settings. Even if the parent helps the student, often there is a sense that the child knows more of how to do the assignment than the parent does - which creates a totally different learning situation. When it comes to practice, the parents are usually of minimal help (even if they are musicians), so students must develop their own "critical ear" to guide them toward improving their playing.

MEMORIZATION AND FORMAL STRUCTURES: The process of memorizing a piece for performance requires keen understanding of structure and form, in addition to process chaining and muscle memory. These abilities apply very well to the comprehension of complex essays and larger literary works, as well as the ability to compose meaningful stories, poetry and essays.

MANAGING LARGE PROJECTS: Except for the occasional book report, all young students have homework assignments that are expected to be completed in a single evening. With few exceptions, all assignments in music require several days, and sometimes several weeks to complete. Music provides the child the first exposure to working on a project in steps, stages, and multiple passes. They learn that simply following the steps from beginning to end is not enough, but instead it is HOW you do the process that must improve and which requires days of practice and work.

UNDERSTANDING PERFECTION: In school students learn that everything is either RIGHT or WRONG, and only a few students seem to score perfect scores on every test. In music, students have to grapple with the concept of striving toward perfection and never quite reaching it. They must learn to accept the random mistakes, while at the same time work out the errors that result for poor planning or preparation, and strive toward doing it right every time. They also learn that sometimes there is no RIGHT or WRONG, but in fact several acceptable ways of doing something.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION: Music teaches children the important quality of expressing oneself in an activity, while still performing within well defined guidelines. They learn to distinguish between what is required by the music, and what is subject to interpretation by the performer. These types of nuance skills are so crucial in a child's development, and can help the student advance so much more deeply when studying at the higher levels, as well as when making important life-affecting decisions.

(See TUTORIAL: Timeline for more information about your child's progress in music through the many years of education.)