Why every child should learn an instrument.

July 17th, 2006 | Filed under Life, Music

I caught this last week and it is one of the most amazing pieces of news/story telling I have ever heard via 60 Minutes. The story basically discusses a group of blind, mentally challenged kids who are musical geniuses. I won’t go to far into the details but these kids are amazing. They have listening skills that I don’t even think the great professionals have…like the ability to immediately play back an over 10 random note chord that someone played. That is incredible…I can’t think of a single person I know that has access to that sort of musical discretion instantly…it is rare gift.

Growing up in a family with literally zero musical ability, the exception being my mother singing at Church and my father spinning Harry Chapin and Huey Lewis records, I find it interesting how much making music has affected my life. What is so funny, especially in hindsight, is how many of the important things in my life have revolved around learning to play music. I made lasting friendships, learned the value of hard work and the responsibilities inherent in performing and last but not least I met my lovely girlfriend…needless to say we hold musical ability in high regards. Oh, and I got the chance to play Carnegie Hall, as a 6th grader of course. Needless to say I sang better as a prepubescent than I do now.

As I moved away from singing and towards playing instruments, I managed to get pretty good at the saxophone and pick up the clarinet, trombone, guitar, upright bass and in a pinch some mandolin and banjo as well. My musical foil, Matt G, was even more astounding as he would not only pick up an instrument and be able to play it, but reach the peaks of real proficiency/mastery. I was only really able to do that with the saxophone, however, Matt has way better practice skills than I do and at last count could hold his own on guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo.

Matt and I, in theory, are both individuals with access to all of our mental and physical abilities. These amazing kids are half our age, are blind and have learning disabilities and I won’t speak for Matt, but are better musicians that I will ever be. This is but one example of how much of the brain we are not using and the possibilities for mentally challenged kids as well. Listen to the 60 Minutes Podcast or read the article online for an example of the genius of these kids.

P.S. As a testament to what you can accomplish playing music check out this, and also the Julie Band.