So many kids today are into sports like soccer and basketball. Many are into video games. But I believe the most all around, bang for the buck, activity for young children 4-12 is music lessons. Learning to play guitar, piano, drums, learning how to sing, voice lessons and learning how to perform has multiple benefits. A musician friend of mine wrote a book and interviewed 30 Fortune 500 CEO’s that had former musical training as a child or some became a professional musician when they got older and each CEO stated that their success in business and in life was a direct result of the skills and benefits they received from learning music. Pretty impressive! Here are 5 core benefits your child will receive from Music Lessons.

1. It will improve your child’s test scores

Everything about playing an instrument will improve cognitive skills. Music is math, and you are constantly thinking numbers. I teach children how to creatively think on their instrument and then they can make choices of what to play. They learn how to think on their feet and react to situations which is what we do every day of our lives. There is much about music that is memorized which develops a greater memory. And there is evidence it improves IQ.

2. It will improve and teaches social skills

Not only the learning of respect and interaction between teacher and student. But I believe all students should do group music lessons or be put in a band situation so you have to depend on each other and learn to communicate. I greatly encourage this with my students and teach them this process. We have to play music in time and in rhythm together, so we have to be listening to other players and depend on them being there at the right time in a song. Learning to communicate and ask questions is a great of the process of learning in general and we learn how to do this naturally with music lessons.

3. It improves focus, concentration and perseverance

I believe the downside to the obsessive game playing today is that it breeds “instant gratification”. Playing guitar or piano or any instrument causes you to critically think about what you are doing, to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. In this fast paced, multi media world, attention span is the first thing to go. To get better you have to practice which develops discipline. When it becomes a habit then success is guaranteed. That’s why all the CEO’s said the same thing, that their skills in music created their skills in business. Having to focus and stick with something until you see a result is such an important life skill. Music lessons is nurturing and building this life skill week by week in each lesson a student takes. We are setting up our children for future success in life with music lessons.

4. It improves creativity and self confidence

When kids learn how to improvise, make up musical ideas on the spot, it really builds their self confidence. It also makes them more creative because they start understanding how to not only create something on the spot but how to change it. I believe creativity can be taught and developed to a high degree. Children learn how to adapt to situations. And it becomes a lot fun to just try something new. Children learn that it’s okay to make a mistake and that you can recover from your mistakes. Or to perform at a recital, play in a band or just play for grandma will build confidence in your child. I tell parents to ask their children to play for them. And I tell children to ask their parents to hear them play. It becomes a family event and great confidence builder. Many of my students have done online performances for relative in other states. Very cool!

5. Music lessons are fun!

Playing guitar, piano, or singing really well is fun and exciting. Other people want you to do well. When I do a recital/performance for kids it is amazing the support from the audience, teachers and from other students that they receive. What a confidence builder! I’ve seen young kids go from very shy to learning how to shine. Through my life music has helped me get through many situations that could feel overwhelming, or scary but I take the time to jam and have fun and it can be extremely therapeutic. It is a gift we give ourselves and a gift we can give to others. Start with a 30 minute lesson once a week. We’ll start a song in the very first lesson and it only takes about 15 minutes of practice a day to start playing. Now is the time to get started!