How Studying Classical Music Can Benefit You
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A lot of people think that classical music is boring. However, there are many benefits to studying classical music.
The Various Benefits of Studying Classical Music
Studying classical music has been shown to have a plethora of benefits. For example, it can improve memory and cognitive skills, aid in emotional development, and increase concentration and focus. These are only a few of the benefits that have been backed by scientific research.
Improved Concentration and Focus
When you study classical music, you learn to appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the music. This helps you to develop a greater level of concentration and focus. In addition, because classical music is usually slower and less complex than other genres, it can be easier to pay attention to for extended periods of time. As a result, you may find that you are able to focus better when studying or working if you have classical music playing in the background.
Enhanced Memory and Retention
One of the most wellknown benefits of classical music is that it can help to improve memory and retention. This has been backed up by studies which have shown that those who listen to classical music while they study have an easier time recalling information later on.
So if you’re looking for a way to give your memory a boost, classical music might be worth a try. It can also help to reduce stress levels, which can in turn improve concentration and focus.
Improved Coordination and Motor Skills
One of the benefits of studying classical music is that it can help to improve your coordination and motor skills. This is because playing an instrument requires a great deal of coordination between your hands, eyes, and brain. By regularly practicing and playing classical music, you can help to develop and improve these important skills.
Improved coordination and motor skills can have a number of benefits in your everyday life. For example, if you are a student, you may find that your hand-eye coordination improves, which can be helpful when taking notes or doing other activities in class. If you work in an office, better coordination can help you with things like typing or using a computer mouse. In general, better coordination can help you to be more efficient and productive in your everyday tasks.
Enhanced Language and Literacy Skills
One of the first things you’ll notice when you start regularly listening to classical music is that your language and literacy skills will begin to improve. This happens because the music helps to stimulate different parts of the brain, which in turn helps you to process information more effectively. In addition, classical music has been shown to improve reading comprehension and speed, as well as enhances vocabulary skills.
How to Get Started Studying Classical Music
Classical music can provide numerous benefits, from reducing stress to improving memory function. If you’re not sure where to start, this guide will help get you started studying classical music. We’ll discuss the benefits of classical music and how to get started finding the right music for you.
Choose an Instrument
To get started studying classical music, you’ll need to choose an instrument. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, consider taking a few classes or lessons to try out different instruments. Once you’ve settled on an instrument, you can begin practicing at home and learning the basics of classical music theory.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an instrument:
– Consider your skill level. If you’re a beginner, it might be best to start with a simpler instrument like the violin or piano.
– Think about what type of music you want to play. Certain instruments are better suited for certain genres of music. For example, if you want to play Bach or Beethoven, the piano might be a good choice.
– Consider your budget. Instruments can be expensive, so be sure to research different price points before making a purchase.
Once you’ve chosen an instrument, it’s time to start practicing. You can find beginner’s sheet music online or at your local music store. Start by practicing simple scales and melodies, then move on to more complex pieces as you become more proficient. As you practice, make sure to listen to recordings of classical music so you can get a sense of how the pieces should sound.
Find a Teacher
One of the best ways to learn how to study classical music is to find a local music teacher. Many community colleges and even some high schools offer courses in classical music appreciation. These courses can give you a good foundation in the basics of classical music and its history. If you don’t have time to take a class, there are many excellent books on the subject that can give you a well-rounded education.
Join a Band or Orchestra
One of the best ways to study classical music is to join a band or orchestra. This will allow you to not only hear the music being played but also see how it is being performed. You will also be able to get feedback from other members of the group.
The Various Genres of Classical Music
Many people are not familiar with the different genres of classical music. It is important to know the different types so that you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the music. Classical music can be divided into four main genres: opera, symphony, concerto, and chamber music.
Baroque
The Baroque period of classical music is from approximately 1600-1750. This was a time of great change in music, with the development of new genres such as the concerto and sonata. The music of this period was often complex, with many layers of sound. It was also designed to be very emotional, with performers and composers using a variety of techniques to evoke feelings in the audience.
One of the most famous composers of the Baroque period is Johann Sebastian Bach. His music is known for its beautiful melodies and intricate harmonies. Other important composers from this period include George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Claudio Monteverdi.
Classical
Classical music is often considered a highbrow genre, elitist and only for those with a refined taste. Nothing could be further from the truth. Classical music is for everyone. It’s one of the most varied and thrilling genres of music there is. It can be loud or soft, fast or slow, happy or sad. And it’s not just for wealthy snobs in tuxedos – it’s for anyone who wants to listen.
So what exactly is classical music? It’s hard to define, because it covers such a wide range of music from different periods, countries and cultures. But if we had to give it a try, we would say that classical music is art music that has been written by composers who are trained in the traditional techniques of Western Music composition.
That may sound like a mouthful, but don’t worry – you don’t need to know any of that jargon to enjoy classical music. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to explore something new. Trust us, it will be worth your while.
Romantic
The Romantic period of classical music is usually said to have begun in the early 1800s and lasted until the first half of the 20th century. The Romantic period was preceded by what is generally regarded as the Classical period, and was followed by the Modernist period. Romantic composers include: Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Frederic Chopin, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Antonín Dvorák and Johannes Brahms.
The music of the Romantic era was characterized by a number of features. First and foremost amongst these were a freed sense of tonality, or key. In other words, while earlier music had been mostly in one key or another (and occasionally wandering through related keys for contrast), now composers felt free to move around much more freely, making use of a greater range of harmonic possibilities. Melody also became more important than ever before; although classical melody had always been highly regarded, it now became possible for a single melodic line to carry a entire work.
Instrumentation also expanded during the Romantic era. While the string section (violins, violas etc.) and percussion instruments had always formed an important part of orchestras since their beginnings in the Baroque era (1600-1750), other sections such as woodwinds (flutes, oboes etc.), brass (horns and trumpets) and tympani (kettledrums) now began to be used much more frequently as composers realized that these instruments could produce sounds which were just as beautiful as those of the strings.
The increased importance placed upon melody meant that many works composed during the Romantic era were songs; indeed some of the most famous pieces from this time are songs for voice and piano such as Schubert’s “Die Forelle” or “Gretchen am Spinnrade” or Chopin’s “Nocturne in C# minor”. However other forms such as symphonies, concertos and sonatas continued to be written during this period; in addition new genres such as the art song (a song for voice and piano with high-quality poetry) and opera also began to appear.
Modern
Modern classical music is a genre that covers a wide range of styles, including early 20th-century composers such as Schoenberg, Stravinsky, and Bartok; American composers such as Aaron Copland and John Cage; and European composers such as Olivier Messiaen and Karlheinz Stockhausen. The genre also encompasses works by living composers, such as Philip Glass, Thomas Adès, and Steve Reich.
The Famous Composers of Classical Music
Composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart are known for their timeless music that is still enjoyed by millions today. Many people are unaware of the fact that these same classical composers can also offer students some serious academic benefits.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Born in 1685 in Eisenach, Germany, Johann Sebastian Bach is among the most well-known composers in classical music. He created some of the most complex pieces of music ever written, and his work continues to be performed by orchestras all over the world.
Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C Major is one of his most famous pieces, and it is often used to teach beginners the basics of counterpoint. Counterpoint is a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined into one piece of music. The Prelude and Fugue in C Major is a perfect example of Bach’s mastery of counterpoint.
Bach was also an expert at creating fugues. A fugue is a type of musical composition that features intertwined melodic lines. Bach’s Fugue in G Minor is one of his most famous fugues, and it is often used as an example of how to write a fugue.
Bach’s work was highly influential for future generations of classical composers. His work laid the foundation for the development of Western tonality, and his use of counterpoint and fugue laid the groundwork for future composers to create even more complex pieces of music.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a composer of the late classical period. He was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn and moved to Vienna in 1792, where he began studying composition with Joseph Haydn. Beethoven is considered one of the most important composers in Western music history. His works include nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin concerto, thirty-two piano sonatas, sixteen string quartets, his great Mass the Missa solemnis, and one opera, Fidelio.
Beethoven’s hearing began to decline in his late twenties or early thirties. By 1814 he had become almost totally deaf. He continued to compose music until his dying days, premiere his Ninth Symphony in 1824 while profoundly deaf. He died in March 1827 at the age of 56.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria. His father, Leopold, was a successful composer and violinist employed by the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. From an early age Mozart showed remarkable talent. At three he was already playing the clavier. By five he had composed several pieces of music. At six he toured Europe with his sister Nannerl and performed for the crowned heads of Europe.
Mozart’s first opera, Mitridate, was written when he was 14 years old. It was followed by 11 other operas including The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan tutte, and Don Giovanni – works that are still considered among the greatest ever written. His Requiem was incomplete at his death.
Mozart’s instrumental works include some of the most familiar classical pieces ever written such as Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) and his Clarinet Concerto in A major.
Mozart died on December 5, 1791, in Vienna Austria at the age of 35. The cause of his death is unknown but speculation includes rheumatic fever, viral syphilis, overwork and a nervous breakdown brought on by financial troubles.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer who lived from 1840 to 1893. He is one of the most popular classical composers, and his music is known for its emotionally charged melodies, inventive orchestration, and use of Folk songs. Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake is one of the most well-known pieces of classical music in the world, and his opera Eugene Onegin is considered to be a masterpiece.
