Singing Lessons Teach Us the Value of Perseverance and Follow Through

Perseverance and Follow Through to the End of a Project is another valuable lesson learned through taking singing lessons.

Perseverance is a valuable trait in life experiences.  By continuing to work on perfecting a song, a role for a musical, coming in at the right place in the orchestra performance, regular practice to achieve a goal, a student learns the value and rewards of working hard.  'In an increasingly competitive world, where people are being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance is essential to achieving success.' PA High School Arts.  Following through all of the details of a project is essential to being a valuable employee in the work force.  Knowing this and being able to do it helps an individual stand heads and tails above their other co-workers and be more desirable to hire.

Learning that despite any obstacles, follow through to the end of the job is essential for musical performances.  Likewise, it is very valuable and expected of a good employee or boss in the professional world.  Things in life are not always easy and it is so important to learn by persevering, we can achieve our goals.

The art of persevering through a project involves multiple intelligences which are also fostered in the musical mind.  The theory of 'multiple intelligences' labels music as one of the separate minds, and being exposed to music strengthens all other learning forms.  The multiple intelligences are:  logical-mathematical, spatial, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, MUSICAL, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_multiple_intelligences.  Musical study is not only one of the intelligences, its study enhances almost ALL of the other intelligence thus creating a well-rounded brain.  The well-rounded brain can handle many more pressures, stresses and accomplish multiple things thus being a very SUCCESSFUL individual.  The melding of all of the intelligences early on in life sets one up to be a predominating source in the workplace as an adult.

Music as it's own 'intelligence' enhances the other 7 intelligences as were addressed in earlier blogs:
- Mathematical, Spatial and Linguistic Intelligence, in Singing Lessons Improve Academic Skills
- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, in Singing Lessons Help the Connection Between Mind and Body and Posture and Poise in Singing Lessons
- Interpersonal Intelligence (relationships with others) in Singing Teaches the Value of Dedication, Perfectionism and Constructive Criticism
- Intrapersonal Intelligence (how you know yourself) in Singing as an Emotional Outlet
- Naturalistic Intelligence (relationship between you and nature) A questioned intelligence, but there are SO many songs composed about the beauty of nature or imitating nature, there is no doubt it is there and is a part of us!

The art of perseverance as well as all of these other benefits of taking music lessons help us to develop a well-rounded, unique individual.  Enhance you or your child's life with music today!

Stay Tuned Next week:  Last But Not Least- The final reason to take lessons:  TAKING SINGING LESSONS IS FUN!

Singing Lessons- Dedication and Perfectionism While Receiving Constructive Criticism

Singing Lessons Teach the Value of Dedication, Perfectionism and Receiving Constructive Criticism

When learning to create music (both playing an instrument and singing), we learn the art of critiquing something, breaking it down to isolate what needs to be perfected and building it back up to make the 'perfect' phrase or performance of a piece.  This attention to detail is a very valuable trait not only in music but in our everyday life.  Attention to detail makes us good editors, scientists, engineers, doctors, in the workforce.  Being dedicated to the end product and perfectionism makes good lawyers, doctors, teachers, in the workplace.  These characteristics that can be taught through music as a youth carry through to create who we become as adults.

The ability to focus to perfect something is very valuable to create quality music.  It is also essential to create a quality product in the workforce as adults- a perfect presentation, website design, product design makes us a reliable and essential employee to a business or company.

In our youth and as adults we are subjected to the desire to have everything be perfect as well as to listen to others tell us HOW something would be better or 'perfect'.  Think about it, mom always wants the toys put away in the right bin to keep things orderly, the math teacher wants the math equation used to be just so, your boss believes 'X' should be added to the presentation to really sell the idea to a client.  What do all of these things have in common?  LISTENING to the advice or demands of another person is another lesson in life that we need to learn.  Whether as a child or adult, we listen to the constructive criticism of others.

In music, we learn how to listen to the constructive criticism and use it to create a better performance of the music. Learning to do this in music carries over to the business world and workforce.  We already know how to receive the criticism and apply it to what we are doing to make the product better.  By interpreting the information we are given, we show that we value to input of others and can use to improve the end result.  We already learn to work as a team through making music as a soloist or member of a musical group.

This too carries over to being a 'team player' who takes in the advice of fellow employees - more important qualities in a mature, working adult.  What a wonderful way to get your child (or you) started on some of the most important qualities in an adult- take music lessons to facilitate learning those lessons!

By receiving constructive criticism and learning the value of perfectionism, we follow through and persevere.  This is imperative to a beautiful final performance of a musical piece.  It is also true in everyday life.  Stay tuned for next week's blog - "Perseverance and Follow Through to the End- Another Benefit to Taking Music Lessons."

Singing lessons -What can voice lessons do for me or my child? It is an EMOTIONAL outlet for you (Part 9 of 12)

Find an Emotional Outlet- Taking Music Lessons (especially singing) helps you to find an emotional outlet. Another extra benefit to music! 

Understanding and appreciating art is so helpful when it comes to processing the hard stuff in the world.  Music is a safe place to let out emotions.  An outlet for times you feel powerless and it can be invaluable in your emotional survival.  Art can be such a powerful tool for children to express themselves.    Jennifer Nettles,Sugarland

Music is such a wonderful outlet for our emotions and plays a role in how we deal with the ebbs and flow of life.  We all have tough times and need a way to help us get through it.  We may have a favorite angry song we listen to and it helps us through it.  Or we are so excited about something that we listen to our favorite 'up' song or have to sing it to the world.   

Music is a comfortable way to express our emotions whether it is a song we listen to, play or sing, or write ourselves.  What better way is there to express yourself than through music and singing?  It is an emotional outlet which can replace spoken words that may be so hard to express. 

When a teenager is having a rough time in school and with friends, there is no better place to turn to than music.  It is a safe place to turn and sing tor play through the pain, indecision, frustration, or love of something.   Sometimes we are overwhelmed with emotions and music can help us to figure it all out.

Studies show that being involved in music reduces risky behavior and increase the involvement in volunteer activities. http://teenink.com/opinion/all/article/18053/The-Music-in-Children/. Knowing how to help yourself can help you to assist others.  Having the outlet to express yourself helps you to process the emotions that you are going through.  This is a true for everyone of all ages.  

I sing or listen to music based on my mood.  When I am happy, I sing a happy song, when I am angry, I have my favorite angry song, when I am sad, I sing or listen to a sad song.  When my son is angry, he plays his drum set or turns on his favorite CD and sings along.  It is human nature to find a way to connect to our emotions.  We need to soothe ourselves in times of trouble and celebrate when we are happy.  Music is a part of all of our celebrations (weddings, graduations, parties) and all of our times of troubles (funerals, ceremonies for tragedies). 

Music holds a special place in our hearts that can mend you and raise you up. Isn't it even more rewarding to make the music yourself by singing or playing an instrument?  The ability to create that music yourself is an irreplaceable and wonderful thing.  You can express yourself with your own song!  Embrace it and encourage it by improving your singing or learning to play an instrument.  Or sign your child up for music lessons now!

Listen to the words of
"Sing Your Own Song", sung by Rebecca Stern.  Access Broadway version "Sing Your Own Song", sung by Rebecca Stern.  This is a true testament of how music is an emotional outlet.  How do you use music to explore your feelings?