How Music Contributes to One's Self-Development

All over the world, there are hundreds if not thousands of languages, but the only language that is universal and does not need to be understood but only felt is music. It is the only language that brings people of every race, background, and belief together to share an experience of feelings, not actions. Listening to music causes effects that are felt by all. It soothes, inspires and stirs the intellect and the emotions. Not only that, but it contributes to personal growth in many immeasurable ways. There are many benefits to music, in fact, they are numerous: o It helps us connect with ourselves as well as others since it encourages communication. This is seen in both young and old people, especially those who have communication problems. o It is particularly beneficial in developing a teen's self-esteem since listening to music fine tunes buried skills that can later be used in education or social skills. o Learning music along with other activities does not mean that your child has to be a musician, but he will be more receptive to learning even science subjects such as mathematics because music and math are intertwined. Understanding beat, rhythm, and scales, children are learning how to divide, create fractions, and recognize patterns. o Musical instruments also introduce young children to physics, since plucking the strings on a guitar or violin teaches children about harmonic and sympathetic vibrations. o It develops physical skills as instruments, such as percussion, help children develop coordination and motor skills; they require movement of the hands, arms, and feet. This type of instruments is great for high-energy kids while string and keyboard instruments, like violin or piano, need different actions from your right and left hands at the same time. o It cultivates social skills because group classes require peer interactions side by side with communication, which encourages teamwork. o It also has a great effect on refining discipline and patience because it conveys to children about delayed gratification. o Listening to music introduces not just children but grown-ups to other cultures through the type of music or the type of instrument. o For those who have emotional problems, music does not only provide peace and calm but helps in the healing process. o Music actually enhances creativity, since it synchronizes brain waves, produced by this frequency of mind is related to enhanced creativity and imagination. Artists and writers are known to use music on a continuous basis. o As for the elderly, and most other people; it helps in decreasing anxiety, loneliness, sadness, depression, among others. o Athletes like to listen to music especially during prolonged periods of practice, as it gives them endurance and coordination. o Music improves productivity by enhancing a person's ability in recognizing visual images, especially letters and numbers faster when music is being played in the background. o Listening to different rhythms of music during different activities is beneficial, each type has its advantages in a particular field; fast for exercise, slow for relaxing, rock for dancing and socializing, to mention just a few. Listen to music during different times of your day, and notice the difference in your life.