Monday, March 13, 2017

The Gradual Languish In Musical Talent

By Jennifer McDonald


There are many intriguing opportunities for high school students who play musical instruments. By the time students are in high school, most kids have played their instrument of choice for more than a few years. They have mastered a standard scale in all keys and can often sight-read music. High school students are given many opportunities to be tutors, camp counselors, international touring artists and more with their talents. These Musical talent opportunities can lead to college music scholarships, summer jobs, internships, recording contracts and more.

Although the old stereotype of music teachers and tutors reflects a stodgy grown-up teaching elementary school-age children how to play the violin or tickle the ivories, in reality there are many opportunities for high school and college students. Younger children often respond better to people closer to their age. The teen is also closer in time to learning music theory and remembering different tricks and tips on how they learned to play their instrument of choice.

When you stop and think about it, music really taps into a variety of these areas in a comprehensive way. In addition, physical characteristics are known to be influenced by early exposure to music, especially when learning an instrument. Fingers that are regularly active playing music have more nerve activity.

For students considering teaching as a career, taking a summer job as a camp counselor is a good start. It gives them a chance to learn how to interact with younger children while spending their summertime playing instruments they love and making new friends. This also gives high school students a chance to spend some independent time away from home before taking the big step of going off to college. It is also a way to help earn some college money. There are many openings as camp counselors in fine arts camps, as well as those specifically designed for marching band, orchestra, ensembles, horns, percussion and just plain music camp.

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.

Certainly some bands reach thousands of listeners this way and are able to cultivate a modest income, but are the bigger record labels scouring the internet for talent to produce for a mass audience? It does not seem like it to me. I suspect that many producers just want to coach some cookie-cutter talent, apply it to a formula, and expect people to pay $20 for a CD. I guess that no one wants to invest in recruiting genuine creative gift and pay for plenty of studio time to allow genius to flourish.

Nurturing your child's or your own talent in music is a lot like growing a garden. It takes time and patience. As well as attention to the simple things, like coming to lessons each week, attending recitals, developing a practice routine, staying focused on your goals, and believing that one day your dream will come true.

Teens with promising talent in music and who have demonstrated musical interest and have taken advanced training or have involved themselves in tours, camps and tutoring programs are often the first to receive music scholarships for college.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment