Continuing Music Education: Why You’re Never Too Old or Skilled To Take More Lessons
Education in music has many rewards for students. Certain skills like social interaction, improved coordination, more self-confidence, and a greater memory enhancement all stem from having a musical background. Musicians and music teachers alike tend to think that once they master the art of an instrument or a specific facet of music, that they do not need to continue learning about it.
While to some degree, this may be true, there is always something new to learn, especially when it comes to music. Whether it be about a specific instrument, or taking on a new part of your music studies, continuing music education should be practiced by all no matter how skilled, or how old you may be.
Think about it this way – It seemed for the longest time, there was only one tried and true way that you studied music. But, as times changed, different genres of music gained more popularity, other instruments were created, and voila! New songs to be learned and sung, new instruments to be played. People learn in different ways as well, so music learning is constantly being adjusted to assist those who want to learn. Music is always growing and is ever-changing, too, so we should always be willing to adapt.
Here are some reasons why you should never stop being a student of music, even if you feel you are too old or are the most skilled in your music profession.
MUSIC LESSONS KEEP YOUR BRAIN STIMULATED
One big reason to never stop learning is that you should always keep your brain active, no matter how old you get. The brain is one of our most powerful assets, and music also gives us the ability for better long-term memory and recall. When you continue to challenge yourself within your music studies and learn more about your instrument, you not only stimulate your brain, but you improve your memory.
Think about it like how you would re-read a book you love because maybe life experiences have made you wiser to what is going on within it, or going back to a place that you love to visit, and finding something new about it to love even more. The same concept applies here – with the added bonus of obtaining more knowledge. Typically, we learn more as we grow, and when you are able to find a deeper understanding it will only aid you in assisting your students as a teacher, or help you to learn and overall understand your music better, too.
MUSIC LESSONS HELP YOU FIND SOMETHING NEW TO LOVE
As we become skilled in an area we tend to stay comfortable and continue in that one area. But learning something new can actually spark interest in yet another area you may not have been aware of. Maybe there is an instrument you’ve always wanted to try, or if you’re a singer, a difficult opera or trouble spot in a song that you have dreamed of being able to sing well. There is no better time than now to work to achieve those new goals you set for yourself, and find a new love for your craft.
Our interests grow and change with us and it is a great development tool for us to utilize all of our talents and find multiple things that we can be interested in. Not only does it give us versatility but it helps us to identify those same interests in others, in turn helping us to make new connections and develop new relationships.
Sometimes certain situations force change, so we have to be prepared to roll with the punches. A great example of this is the global pandemic, which turned us to virtual shows and performances, as in-person events haven’t been allowed for many months. Music teachers have also had to adapt in order to safely provide online lessons in your home, rather than in person or at a studio. This has been done through embracing technology and finding innovative ideas to continue to keep music in our lives – and in some cases, has really brought on a new love for things like video editing and sound design that music teachers may not have ever had to work with before.
MUSIC LESSONS HELP US TO COPE WELL WITH ANXIETY AND STRESS
As we are all aware, music is a great way to express feelings and creativity, and with the state of the world, as we know it, this type of coping mechanism can be more helpful than ever. Taking on some new music lessons will not only give you focus but help you to de-stress from these anxious times.
Music has the power to instill moods and emotions, helping us to cheer up when we are down, or calm us when we get too worked up and need some form of release. Taking on new and different music lessons will only help to do that even more.
MUSIC LESSONS WILL ULTIMATELY BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS
No matter how skilled you are, we know how far musical practice can take us. Practice is the most important part of any music lesson essentially since it is what helps us to get better. When you are able to accomplish and overcome a difficult area, you feel this enormous sense of pride, which is what we all strive to achieve, and that learning should never cease.
Musicians and teachers of music that continually challenge themselves to learn something more difficult, to take on that next piece of music usually find themselves accomplishing a new skill or learning something in the process. Even if it is just done in order to say “I did that!” When you get to that point, you have ultimately built up your confidence in such a way you feel more prepared and equipped in your musical skills and abilities.
Things take on new perspectives as you age, and you come to understand things in a different way than you did when you were younger, so it doesn’t hurt to revisit maybe some songs you performed in the past. It can really help you to see what you would change about it today to make it even better than it was, even at your most skilled.
