8 Benefits You Reap When Playing Music Together As A Family
Music is something that everyone can enjoy individually or with others, bringing peace and comfort to anyone through a harmonious arrangement of tunes. What’s more, learning an instrument regardless of age is proven to offer plenty of tangible and long-lasting benefits. So what would happen if you encouraged your family to join in as well? In today’s modern world, where technology has made it more challenging to bond with our loved ones, how can music help bridge the gap and strengthen the connection between those near and dear to us?
8 key benefits of learning and playing music together as a family
Recall and create lasting memories
Music has the power to spark happy memories and allow treasured moments from the past to resurface with ease, such as those times when everyone has gathered together to celebrate the holidays or other joyous events like graduations and birthdays. One could also recall fond memories of simpler times such as those shared between parent and child, generally thanks to lullabies and other tunes that make a deep impression. The good times and conversations that come from these nostalgic moments work wonders in bringing family members closer together and playing music as one helps create more lasting memories that everyone can think back on down the line.
Revitalises familial bonds
Given how busy modern life can be, it is unheard of for close family ties to weaken over the years. One such example is the relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren. The latter tend to grow distant as they grow older, and it is often challenging to find activities that provide a common ground for them to connect through this growth stage. Picking up an instrument serves as an excellent way for family members to reconnect over the learning experience and have a common goal that they can work together on.
Develops new connections
All humans need that sense of belonging or connection with someone, and playing music is one way to achieve it. When they bond over a thing or two, it instantly creates a connection. By playing music with family and moving to the rhythm collectively, it helps establish this harmony and the sense of being ‘one’.
Moreover, the gift of music can be passed on from generation to generation. Just like how the daughter of a singer can follow in their parent’s musical footsteps, so too can other younger family members be interested in learning their elders’ instruments and bond during the learning experience.
Promotes stress relief
As many would agree, listening to music is a simple yet effective way to unwind after a long and tiring day. For those that know how to manipulate an instrument, playing a song or a tune is even better stress relief. As with most activities, having others join in provides a better experience. Dancing to the melody, having others complement your playing, or collaborating on writing a song or two promotes interaction between one’s family, all while diminishing stress.
Additionally, playing music together as a family promotes stress relief to children studying for the ABRSM exam in Singapore. While they are capable of learning by themselves, playing music with their family members might just prove to help them get rid of their stress and anxiety for when the day comes to take the exam.
Music is intergenerational
Music is a timeless way to bond with elderly relatives and form ties between young and old family members. In addition, playing an instrument supports the ageing process by keeping the brain active and engaged while providing physical, social, and emotional support. For example, participating in music-making during the holidays and teaching such songs to the new generation is sure to delight elderly family members and form lifetime memories with the young ones.
Maintains traditions
More often than not, humans tend to associate family customs and cultural traditions with music. A great example would be singing hymns for religious practices. When children see their families sing along, it instills a sense of awareness in them to keep the tradition alive, no matter which paths they take down the line. Additionally, families that listen to or play music during get-togethers and other special occasions are more likely to have a stronger bond and be more close-knit than those who do not.
Integral to children’s development
Music stimulates physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development and promotes confidence, self-esteem, and language and concentration skills. In a child’s early years, active engagement with music directly impacts brain development and supports growth integral to life and learning. Hence, learning music supports all kinds of learning, and it would be great to consider introducing your child to music at a young age through fun piano classes for kids in Singapore or other instruments, depending on their preference.
Instant change of mood
How often do you turn to music to get a quick change of mood? Virtually almost always would be a good guess. Often, the hardships and difficulties that life throws our way can take a toll on our mood, filling us with negative emotions that make us cranky. However, with a quick jamming session with friends and family, all that can instantly be turned around and make you more at ease. When people enjoy themselves in music, the whole atmosphere changes, and everyone’s mood can quickly lighten up. On an unrelated note, this may well be one of the reasons for the timeless popularity of parties.
Conclusion
Music has a vast role in improving family cohesion and relations as well as boosting an individual’s well-being. It calls for enhancing the aggregate prosperity and social attachment of a family, making it the perfect medium to get closer with those near and dear to us.
We at The Music Works understand that, which is why we dedicate ourselves to providing music lessons for all ages. Whether it be piano lessons for kids in Singapore or guitar lessons for beginners in Singapore, rest assured that we accommodate everyone’s learning styles and preferred instruments; no matter beginner or intermediate musicians.