The Benefits of Instrumental Music in the Classroom
Contents
Many people believe that music is a valuable tool in the classroom. However, instrumental music specifically can offer a number of benefits to students. From helping them focus to promoting creativity, instrumental music can be a great asset in the classroom.
The History of Instrumental Music in the Classroom
Instrumental music has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. In many cultures, it is an integral part of social and religious ceremonies. The early history of instrumental music in the classroom is not well documented, but there is evidence that it was used in ancient Greece and Rome.
Instrumental music was also popular in the Middle Ages. It was often used in religious ceremonies and as a way to entertain nobles and other wealthy people. During the Renaissance, instrumental music became more popular in secular settings, such as taverns and town squares.
The first known use of instrumental music in the classroom was in 17th-century England. It was introduced by John Locke, who believed that it could improve children’s concentration and focus. Instrumental music quickly became popular in schools across Europe and North America.
In the 19th century, instruments such as guitars and pianos became increasingly popular in households, making them more accessible to children. As a result, instrumental music became even more commonplace in the classroom.
Today, instrumental music is still widely used in classrooms around the world. It is often used to help students focus on their work or to provide a calming background noise. Additionally,many students enjoy playing instruments as a way to express themselves creatively.
The Benefits of Instrumental Music
Instrumental music has been shown to have a positive effect on learning in the classroom. Studies have shown that students who are exposed to instrumental music have higher test scores, improved reading skills, and improved social skills.
Improved focus and concentration
Instrumental music has been shown to improve focus and concentration in a number of studies. One study found that students who were exposed to classical music while studying showed improved focus and concentration, and were able to retain more information than students who did not listen to music.
Other studies have shown that instrumental music can help people with ADHD to improve focus and concentration. One study found that people with ADHD who listened to classical music while working on a task had improved focus and concentration, and were able to work for longer periods of time than those who did not listen to music.
Instrumental music has also been shown to improve academic performance in general. One study found that students who listened to classical music while studying had improved grades, and another study found that students who listened to instrumental music while taking exams had better grades than those who did not listen to music.
Increased motivation
Instrumental music has been shown to increase motivation in students of all ages. A study published in the journal Psychology of Music found that middle school students who listened to classical music while working on a cognitive task showed increased motivation and improved task performance compared to students who did not listen to music. The researchers suggest that the uplifting and positive effect of music can help students to stay focused and motivated on their work.
Other research has shown that instrumental music can also help to increase motivation in older adults. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience found that listening to Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 while completing a cognitive task increased motivation and task performance in a group of older adults. The researchers suggest that the positive effect of music on motivation may be due to the fact that it can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
In addition to increasing motivation, instrumental music can also help to improve focus and attention span. A study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that students who listened to classical music while working on a reading comprehension task showed improved focus and attention compared to students who did not listen to music. The researchers suggest that the relaxing and focused effect of instrumental music can help students to better concentrate on their work.
If you are looking for ways to increase motivation and improve focus in your students, consider incorporating instrumental music into your classroom teaching!
Improved academic performance
Instrumental music has been shown to have a positive effect on academic performance. A study by the University of California, Irvine found that students who were exposed to instrumental music scored higher on standardized tests than those who were not exposed to music.
Other research has shown that students who study an instrument score higher on reading and math tests than their non-musical peers. It has also been shown that students who are involved in music programs are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college.
There are many theories as to why music has such a positive effect on academic performance. One theory is that music helps to develop the brain’s executive functioning skills, which are important for planning, organizing and paying attention.
Another theory is that playing an instrument requires the use of both sides of the brain, which can lead to improved communication between the left and right hemispheres. This increased communication can help with problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that instrumental music can have a positive impact on academic performance. If you’re looking for a way to help your child succeed in school, consider enrolling them in a musical program.
Instrumental music has been shown to enhance social skills in children. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that children who participated in a six-month program of weekly instrumental music lessons displayed higher levels of cooperation, coordination, and social competence than those who did not participate in the program.
The study’s authors suggest that the benefits of instrumental music instruction may come from the need to cooperate with others in order to make music. This cooperative effort may help to develop social skills that can be transferred to other areas of life.
The Different Types of Instrumental Music
There are many benefits of incorporating instrumental music into the classroom. It can help with memorization, concentration, focus, and overall classroom atmosphere. However, not all instrumental music is created equal. There are many different genres and styles of instrumental music, and each type can have different effects on students. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of instrumental music and how they can benefit students in the classroom.
Classical
Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), this article is about the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present day, which includes the Classical period and various other periods. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common-practice period.
Jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is seen by many as “America’s classical music”. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression.It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime,and European military band music. Although the foundation of jazz is deeply rooted within the black experience of the United States, different cultures have contributed their own experience, ideas, concepts, devices and techniques to create a versatile art form.”Jazz” is a good example of a genre that was created by American blacks which has since been adopted by other cultures around the world—in this case most notably by white American youths during the 1950s bebop revolution which began amongst New York City’s African American population, but quickly found its way into film scores (such as The Wild One), televisions shows (I Love Lucy), commercials (Rice Krispies), children’s records (Rock-A-Bye Your Bear) even elevator music (the Muzak corporation) all over America
Rock
Rock is a type of music that was first popularized in the 1950s. It is characterized by a strong beat, electric guitars, and often contains themes of rebellion or disaffection. Rock music is often used in movies and television shows to convey a feeling of excitement or energy. It can also be used to promote products and services.
How to Incorporate Instrumental Music Into the Classroom
Instrumental music has been shown to have a number of benefits for students in the classroom. It can improve concentration and focus, increase motivation and engagement, and promote a positive learning environment. Let’s take a closer look at how instrumental music can be incorporated into the classroom.
Choose the right type of music
When you’re looking for instrumental music to use in the classroom, it’s important to select pieces that are appropriate for the age group and skill level of your students. For young children, try to find music that is simple and catchy. As they get older, you can incorporate more complex pieces with multiple layers. It’s also important to consider the mood of the music. Uplifting, fast-paced tunes are great for active learning activities, while slower, calming melodies can be used for transitions or down times.
There are many sources for finding instrumental music online and in brick-and-mortar stores. You can also check with your students’ parents and see if they have any suggestions. Once you have a few pieces in mind, make sure to preview them before using them in class. This will help you gauge how well they will work with your students and lesson plans.
Set up a listening station
One easy way to incorporate instrumental music into the classroom is to set up a listening station. This can be as simple as an iPod dock or speakers that play instrumental music throughout the day. You can also use a program like Pandora or Spotify to create a musical environment in your classroom. Many students enjoy listening to instrumental music while they work, and it can help them focus and concentration.
Use music as a reward
Incorporating instrumental music into the classroom does not have to be complicated. One of the simplest ways to do this is to use music as a reward for good behavior or work. This can be done by allowing students to listen to a song of their choice when they have completed their work for the day, or by providing a relaxing background ambiance during free time. This will give students something to look forward to and make them more likely to stay on task throughout the day.
Instrumental music can also be used directly in instruction. For example, if you are teaching a history lesson on the American Revolution, playing patriotic songs from that era can help engage students and bring the material to life. Or, if you are working on a group project, playing an upbeat song in the background can help keep everyone focused and on task. There are endless possibilities for how you can use music in your instruction, so get creative!
