Lifetime musician Martin Backhausen recently discussed five reasons music classes should remain in schools.

With more than 30 years of experience as a musician and music industry professional, Martin Backhausen understands the importance of music education. He explained that music classes provide numerous benefits for children, from improving their language skills to offering a positive social outlet.

What Is Music Education?

Music education is a broad area of study. It touches on numerous areas of music, including music history, creating music, playing music, understanding instruments, and more. Many music courses emphasize the impact of music, old and new, on modern culture.

Musical activities taught in music education vary based on the age of the students, their skill levels, and the nature of the course. Early music education classes may include singing and playing basic instruments, while older, more advanced students can play in a school band.

Benefits of Music Education in School

Improvements in Memory

Music classes, regardless of level, require intense amounts of memory. Kids learn to remember notes, learn song lyrics, identify instruments, read music, and more. These memorization skills follow them into other classes and throughout life.

Superior Study Habits

Kids must study their musical craft and practice often to achieve success. The consistency and strong study habits they learn through music education are useful in other courses too.

Socialization

The social benefits provided through music education are numerous. Playing music together requires collaboration, teamwork, listening skills, and more.

“Students often create lifelong friendships through band, choir, and other music education courses,” Backhausen said.

They share successes and failures and learn to value each other’s opinions. Many times, a young person’s support system stems from their bandmates.

Improved Language Skills

Studies show that music education improves reading comprehension skills and vocabulary. The areas of the brain that control language skills and music comprehension are closely linked, as music education encourages kids to repeat tone, pitch, and enunciations.

Stronger Hand-eye Coordination

“Playing a musical instrument requires hand-eye coordination and dexterity,” Martin Backhausen said. “Students who play their instruments see significant enhancements in these areas.”

Young kids see improvements in motor skills in even the simplest music courses. Tasks like playing the recorder or the triangle can improve coordination, independence, sensory development, and more.

Importance of Music Education

Martin Backhausen understands the benefits of music education because he experienced them himself. As a professional musician, producer, and songwriter, he enjoys the many benefits of playing music daily.

He pursued music education at Full Sail University, where he became a producer, musical composer, and classically-trained musician. He believes music education in schools can help kids advance in all areas of life and maybe even pursue a fulfilling career in the music industry.