The Canadian Family

Adriana Noton

Not everyone is born with musical talent. But nearly everyone is born with an innate affinity for music of some kind. Even for taking piano lessons or guitar lessons.

There are many outlets for people to take advantage of their affinity for music. Some choose dancing. Others opt for being in a band. Many write down on paper the music running through their minds. A few even put to paper the lyrics that go with the music playing in their heads.

Your children should be encouraged to take musical lessons of some kind. Regardless of whether or not you or they think they have any ability to play.

And, whichever path your children choose to express their inner music, they should be encouraged to take lessons. It is an outlet for them to express themselves.

Being an adolescent is not easy. Part of allowing them some guidance in expressing their inner selves through music is that they are expressing themselves, period.

Because we adults know how difficult it is to express ourselves at that age. Too many hormones, no assurance of whom to trust with all those strange feelings. But music can be an outlet for them, just like athletics often is for others their age.

Of course, playing a piano or strumming a guitar just on a whim is not so bad. It is even better when done consistently, with guidance, and under the direction of a mentor. Having no direction is a main reason why children stop practicing.

There are many schools of thought that state music and other arts are good for children because it makes them more well-rounded. And it is true that learning these and other arts in school give children more balance to their education.

It also gives them more natural balance physiologically. As children grow up consistently playing music gives them another outlet to express themselves. This teaches them how to utilize not only their different gifts, but also their different outlets of creativity.

Another benefit to this is they learn the benefits of hard work, effort, and practice. They can better appreciate the efforts of those who are professionals. And they can marvel at the genius behind the minds of Mozart, Hendrix, Chopin, Clapton, and more.

But, mostly, it is an opportunity simply to play a musical instrument. Those of you who do not play an instrument wish you did. Those who do play wish they played even better, regardless of skill level or ability.

Do you not hope your children have the ability to take advantages of the chances you know they will have in the future? Those chances to impress a girl or to express their feelings to a guy? Or to compose a verse or even a song right on the spot?

Who does not regret not being able to deliver those kinds of performances? Well, those who grow up not taking piano lessons or guitar lessons. Do your children a favor and encourage them to take those or other lessons to learn how to play a musical instrument. They will be happy you did and so will you.