There are many benefits of playing a musical instrument, but the academic benefits may surprise you. Learn why your child should play an instrument in this article sponsored by Musiah.

Some people cringe when they hear kids practicing musical instruments – especially the recorder when it rewards off notes with its ear-piercing squeal. When you’ve got a kid who can play, though, music practice is a treat for the ears – even on a recorder.

Josh’s teacher liked to challenge her oldest students, the 4th-graders. Every few weeks, she’d play a new piece for them once or twice before they left class. Their mission was to learn to play the song by ear. The teacher usually gave them a couple of weeks to figure it out.

Josh never needed that long. Most weeks, he was playing it by the time we got to lunch at – where else? – the Chick-fil-A located about five minutes from the church where music lessons took place.

Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

I loved taking the kids to music class because of the many benefits of playing a musical instrument. Playing an instrument:

• builds confidence
• reduces stress
• improves blood flow to the brain
• strengthens motor skills
• improves concentration

However, one of the most interesting benefits of playing a musical instrument may be its effect on academic performance. [Read more…]