4 Ways How Learning Music Makes You Smarter

There are numerous evidences that imply that Music education can play an important part in child’s development and an adult's mental health, especially in their academic performance as well as life lasting communication skills. Let us look into how can music education really make someone smarter.

Heightened Brain Development : When playing an instrument , it requires the attention of our brain which opens up several neural path in brain that helps in developing the brain. It undergoes various mental activity that keeps the brain active and drilled for complicated arrangements so that it can solve and react to  the things as quickly as possible. Somehow the architecture of the brain changes in a way that it starts perceiving tasks in a broader, smarter and emotional way. Thus, regularly reading and practising music heightens the processing ability of our brain and it tends to decipher complex activities with ease and efficiency.

Stronger Memory Power : Music education pushes you to understand certain capabilities of our brain, most effectively, the ability to memorise in most innovative ways. It can teach you to analyse the task in hand and process the data in a way that you can connect them with relation to its purpose. This way, when you can connect the dots it helps you remember things better. It also enhances your spatial, auditory and visual capacity that helps you comprehend things much better.

Enhanced Cognition and Co-ordination ability : Playing an instrument requires concentration and conscious attention to details. It also requires a lot of coordination to be able to execute the playing accurately. So, with regular practice you can develop your coordinating abilities that will enhance your skills in the instrument, but also it will help you tackle other activities that you come across in your daily life that requires you to have some type of coordination. Practicing music is like a workout of your brain, so you are building muscles which will store more information as well as react more efficiently to the tasks given. Thus it also improves your cognitive abilities which helps you retain things better, plan effectively and focus your attention to the necessary.

Faster ability to learn : As we have seen from above discussions that music really plays a vital role in the development and enhancement of our intelligence, it is safe to say that ultimately, if one has successfully done their music education, it can help them in the long term. They have higher sense of conscience, consciousness, enhanced cognitive and spatial capacity and a broader sense of how things work. It prepares you for all the challenges that may come your way, you tend to learn about your surrounding faster and take the reasonable action necessary. It provides you the ability to learn things faster and use them to benefit your skills.

Music does not only make you smarter, it supports you emotionally as well. It can be one of the most supportive bases that you can rely on and yet it provides you with so many benefits that can enhance your lifestyle or can be used to improve the literacy standard in school education. So the reason one should consider learning music is not just all because of their benefits but also for the joy you get listening and playing them which sub-consciously moulds your personality for better.

BlueTimbre is a unique Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio based out of Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre also provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running Structured Businesses, Music Curriculum Development, Music Education and Performance.

5 Ways Parents Can Encourage Music Practice at Home

Has Music Become just another subject for your child where you have to keep reminding them about their practice time and lessons to be completed? If such interactions are creating some unnecessary tension between you and the child, then it is a solid reminder that the child has lost interest in the learning. However, if they are monitored and guided in a certain way, the child begins to pick up the interest and understands the benefit of the instrument they are learning to play. If you are pulling your hair out imagining ways to get your child to practice which will bring progressive improvement in them, here are some of the very helpful tips collected from the experiences of teachers, researchers and parents.

Practice should be a shared activity

Music is not one of those subjects where you imply forced discipline and tell your children to spend time in the room with their instrument and practice. That forces the child to perceive the instrument as just another subject he needs to learn to meet certain parameters. Learning Music should always be a fun activity. In fact, it should be an activity that you should do with your child. Once you sit down with them and try to tackle the lessons to be learnt and finally reach the conclusion of the lesson, the child sees that achievement as enjoyment that encourages an environment where music is a vital part of household. It gives them joy to play alongside you and to perform in family meetings where the child is applauded just for their willingness which encourages to spend their time more with their instrument.

Time Restraint

“30 Minutes” Practice every day!! Is that what you’ve been telling your child? Well, the problem with this is when the child is been told to do that every day, he/she is been asked to endure those 30 minutes to play something or the other in their instrument which the child may find very frustrating, thus creating a negative environment to learn. Instead, let your child decide when do they want to give time to their instrument. When they are the decision makers, they feel responsible and often follow up on the promised time they decided to practice their instrument. Also, A practice session should be goal based rather than time based. Give them small goals to complete, for example, 2 - 4 measures of a lesson with minimal mistake. It doesn’t matter if it took them 15 minutes or an hour, but they keep on achieving small achievements along the way with the view of the larger goal of playing the whole piece in about two weeks. This helps them understand the value of practicing their instrument.

Rewards

A reward for achieving something has the capability to uplift anyone, be it child or an adult. It gives them a sense of pride and happiness for the hard work they have done. A child should be rewarded appropriately for their effort and willingness to practice their instrument which encourages them to learn more about music. However, you should not compromise on their playing time and other fun activities for their practice. If they are rewarded those playtimes only after they finish practicing their instrument, it encourages a notion that Music is not a fun activity and they may lead to disinterest in child about their instrument.

Inform the long-term benefits

The child should be given the knowledge and information about how learning the instrument can go a long way in their life, and also how can they benefit from it. This helps them to develop an internal motivation once they understand that the instrument can play a vital role in his adulthood.

Engage Them with Music

More than rewards, the best way to encourage and motivate your child about music is by getting them curious about music. Once they develop the desire to learn, listen and engage with music, they tend to simultaneously engage more with their instrument. In their weekly routine, let them play the music they truly enjoy which helps maintaining their interest in music and also encourage them to listen to more songs, so that they can play in their routine. You can also share your favorite song with them, while also giving some of your time to the type of music they love. An environment where there is always some kind of music can help stimulate much needed curiosity towards music.

It could be a daunting and challenging task to always monitor your child but with a little help and your positive involvement in their routine can bring a whole lot of difference in their progress. We all know the benefits of learning music and how it helps build essential skills in life, but in the end, it is under your guidance and care, that they truly reap the benefits of engaging with music.  

References

https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/theconversation.com/amp/how-to-stop-nagging-your-child-to-practise-their-musical-instrument-100594

https://takelessons.com/blog/motivate-your-child-to-practice-music-z15

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/how-to-motivate-your-child-to-practice/

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.

4 Things to Consider When Choosing A Music School

Are you interested in learning music? Or do you want to enroll your child in a good music school? There are dozens of music school to choose from and you do not know how to verify the authenticity of their education and structure. How do you decide?

Here are some things you should know in order to choose the best music school for you or your child.

Professional Setup

You want to make sure that the music school is ran by dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about giving the right music education to everyone and not a side business which is run to profit from you financially. Do a research, explore their social presence and ask the existing students about how they feel about the institution and its method. So, make the necessary enquiries, check ratings online and choose the institution you are most comfortable with.

Curriculum

Curriculum or the syllabus of your music course decides what and how much will you be learning throughout the course. There are various curriculums available now. Some emphasize on the classical theory and pieces while some encourages contemporary approach towards learning. It all depends on you, you should understand what you want to achieve through the course and make the choice on the curriculum that you think is the best suited for your goals as a musician. An organized curriculum, a well-planned execution is very important in fostering the right habits and effective exercises in strengthening the basics.

Faculty

You want to make sure that the instructor that you want to learn under really understand your goals and know how to help you achieve them. Some schools employ very informed musicians; however, they may fail to pass down the information to you in an effective manner. It is thus very important for a music school to train their teachers to “teach”. Check with the school about their methodology, teacher training and approach to music education.

 

Infrastructure & Resources

It is also important for the school to have the right quality and quantity of equipment and infrastructure so that students can learn effectively. Every student should have access to the basic instrument with its required accessories to learn. It is essential to understand your instrument and equipment to grow as a musician and improve your creativity.

Finally, remember that Music learning is not a one-way street. Teachers will do their part by teaching you the required techniques, concepts and songs however you need to practice. Research indicates that all you need is 20 minutes a day to make effective progress. So, if based on this information, you believe your objectives are met – try out the music school and enjoy your music learning journey!

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.

Audio Engineering vs. Music Production

We often find students enquiring about "Audio Engineering" when in reality they mean "Music or Audio Production" and vise versa. So, what really is the difference between the two?

While many music producers are also good sound engineers, sound engineers don't necessarily make good music producers. The main difference between the two is that is that while both professionals have a deep understanding of the technical aspects of music production, music producers also have a hefty dose of artistic and creative vision to make a recording the best it can be.

Sound Engineer

A recording engineer or a sound engineer is a technical expert who operates the soundboard and other equipment during a recording session, under the supervision of the Music Producer. They also set up studio and recording equipment. An Sound engineer's main job is to use his/her technical skills to bring the producer's and artist's vision to fruition.

Music Producer

Just as in the film industry, Music producers are the behind-the-scenes makers of a song/track. The best and most revered music producers have a heavy hand in every aspect of a record’s production, from selecting which songs should go on a record, to working with the studio to achieve a particular sound. In fact, most Music producers have extensive knowledge of how the studio’s audio recording equipment works, and use that knowledge to help the artist achieve the exact sound they want for their record.

Modern Producers and Engineers

Just because these two job descriptions are different, doesn’t mean the role can’t be occupied by the same person. As modern recording has become more simplified, these jobs are accessible to more people. Home studios, small-scale studios, and those who like to have as much creative influence on a record as possible have the option to reach across these positions to both produce and engineer a piece of music.

Becoming a Producer or Engineer

To succeed as a Music producer or an Audio engineer takes determination, skill and a sense of musicality to help customers and artists achieve the best results. Becoming a studio engineer requires specialised training and may require a college degree. Certifications in equipment and software are also as important.

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.






Reference:
http://work.chron.com/differences-between-music-producers-engineers-25047.html
    https://www.musicbed.com/knowledge-base/music-production-vs-audio-engineering/122

Connecting Melody Line and Rhythm Chords

What is the relationship between the melody line and the rhythm chords?

Mix It Up

Don't just use chord tones (meaning, notes that are in the chord you're playing at the moment) and don't just use non-chord tones. Non-chord tones will give your melody a sense of momentum and tension, while chord tones will give your melody a sense of stability and release. Of the chord tones, roots and fifths have the most stability, while thirds and sevenths strike a nice balance. 

Too much of either is no good: too much tension and momentum, and you run the risk of your melody running out of control, which ultimately feels chaotic. Too much stability, and your melody will sound dull and boring.

Voice Leading

This basically means that your melody shouldn't jump around too much---a few big intervals are fine and can be really dramatic, but most of the time, your melody should stick to stringing together notes that are near each other. Otherwise it's hard for the listener's ear to keep up.

For example, say you're playing the A-D-E chord progression you mentioned. C# is the third of the A chord, and D is the root of the D chord (obviously). So a melody that plays the C# and then the D is employing voice leading.

Choosing Chords

So you have the opposite challenge: to pick chords to fit a melody. As before, there's no one right way to go about this, but again, here are some guidelines:

• Identify the notes in the melody that feel more stable as opposed to those that feel as though they have momentum and movement and use those to help inform your chord choices.
• Identify the few notes with the most drama. These probably shouldn't be chord tones, but might resolve to chord tones.
• Chord progressions have their own momentum and stability. I chords are stable; V chords have momentum. You resolve a V (or V7) chord to its corresponding I chord. Unless you absolutely know what you're doing, make sure your V chords resolve or the song will leave your listeners feeling unsettled.

Example: "Eleanor Rigby"

"Eleanor Rigby"---"Rig" and "by" are both chord tones, and the melody lands on "by" like a rock. That note is the root of the chord, and it provides a lot of stability for the melody, which is good because the next line is...

"Picks up the rice in a church where a wedding has been"---"Rice" and "church" aren't chord tones, and they have a lot of momentum. This line is almost like a roller coaster: "Picks up the" is the initial ascent, followed by a briefly held point of tension on "rice", then a quick fall, a quick rise, and then another briefly held point of tension on "church", another fall, etc. It ends on "been", which is a chord tone for the next chord (the IV chord). Stability and release after the tension and drama of the roller coaster. Paul knew what he was doing.

Summary

These are only techniques and ideas on how you could come up with fitting tunes and chords. However, ultimately you need to be happy with the music created - simple or complex. 

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.

Source: 

https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/2595/what-is-the-relationship-between-the-melody-line-and-the-rhythm-chords

Benefits of Music Education

Music is universal. It’s more than a billion dollar industry, and it is omnipresent. How many hours in a row do you ever go without listening to music? Everywhere you go, everything you watch— music. Always music. We are surrounded in it, bathe in it, soak in it.

Then, why would we not want to know more about something constantly present in our lives? Would you want to live in a world without music? Then why would you want to have a school without music?

We would list innumerable number of reasons about the benefits of Music Education but here are our top ten:

1.    Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.

2.    Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.

3.    Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

4.    Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.

5.    Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 72.9% graduation and 84.9% attendance.

6.    A Stanford study shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating events in our memory.

7.    Much like expert technical skills, mastery in arts and humanities is closely correlated to a greater understanding of language components.

8.    Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training.

9.    Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.

10.Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to help students develop better communication.

It is up to each of us to ensure that our children are exposed to learning music in their everyday life and especially at school. The importance of music and music education continues to be recognized everyday. Schools must not compromise on the quality of instructors or curriculum in order to ensure children are taught correctly and gain a life skills from the instruction. The school curriculum should be designed to deliver more than a minimal education to students. Music and Art should be taught at every elementary school in a regular and systematic way. Music and all Fine Arts should be considered “academic electives” in secondary schools and available to all students on a multi-year basis to allow adequate time for skills to develop sufficiently for informed decisions about college programs and career choices. All academic electives, including Music and Fine Arts, should count towards entrance requirements in colleges and universities.

Companies such as BlueTimbre offer quality music education programs in schools so that schools can continue to focus on what they do best. Companies such as BlueTimbre offer schools an alternative to being people dependant and worrying about the quality of instructors or curriculum. BlueTimbre works with schools providing complete Music Education solutions so that despite the students background or understanding, they have access to good quality instruments, teachers and internationally renowned curriculum. ‘While teaching music is important, showcasing the learning by performing is the key; says Sherin Winstent, founder and expert musician.

BlueTimbre is a Music hub with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. BlueTimbre works with schools providing complete Music Education solutions on campus. BlueTimbre management team comes with a decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.

Sources:

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-music-education

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-greene/stop-defending-music-education-_b_7564550.html

http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/whyteachmusic/

http://blog/Why-should-Music-be-a-necessary-part-of-a-School/

http://www.nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/