Friday, March 10, 2017

Fostering Early Musical Talent With Toys

By Jennifer McDonald


A child's musical affinity is something that numerous institutions have studied the effect that music has on learning, including the University Of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California at Irvine. Because of this, it's no surprise that companies that cater to children are offering an increase in musical talent through toys that focus in this area. The findings support that learning toys focusing on music actually benefit children of all ages.

No more do super groups such as Led Zeppelin or the Who emerge to pack stadiums and create fans committed to buying every album. And these days, who can claim to be a part of the next generation of music talent that can inherit the popularity and profits of such creative geniuses as John Lennon or Jimi Hendrix?

I am not saying that musical geniuses no longer exist. I am certain that they are out there, but I don't see them presented or marketed to mass audiences. Without great gift, how can the music industry hope to revitalize sales and nurture new icons?

Back in 1967, when the Jimi Hendrix Experience had its first album Are You Experienced? On the British charts at number three, the Beatles at the same time had the number one spot. Can you possibly image such revolutionary albums being out today? And at the same time? Where is the music talent hiding - or languishing - and why does it not seem to be breaking out and catching on with mass audiences?

As parents, it's not hard to look at the facts and realize that music is good for your kids. However, not everyone is talented self-talented as far as music is concerned. In addition, it's not always recommended to begin regimented music lessons when a child is still quite young. While the brain may be able to handle the routine, it may be too much pressure for children before they are school-aged. However, like most things, there is no reason not to play with music, getting much of the same results.

The modern world of high speed internet, microwave ovens, fast cars, and Television creates expectations of instant results that are neither realistic nor sustainable when it comes to learning a difficult instrument such as the piano. Children and sometimes parents expect overnight results. This perception of learning is based on what C. Wright Mills calls a Sociological Imagination, or what I call a shared illusion about reality, learned mainly from TV and the movies.

Playing with music does not have to be expensive. In fact, a creative parent can provide the cognitive benefit and foster talent in music in almost any situation. Sounds surrounds us, so the best approach is to always be aware and help bring that awareness to your child. Have you ever seen a commercial where the creators compose a symphony with street sounds?

I just shake my head when I hear executives and lawyers for the music industry complain about illegal downloads and dropping CD sales. Maybe if they looked for some fresh talent and let creative minds do what they do best, they could attract new paying consumers who would surely appreciate something new and good to listen and dance to.




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