All Those Years of Cello Private Lessons Finally Pay Off

       I was first exposed to music, in elementary school. Music class was my favorite class as kid even though we just beat on some drums and sang a few songs. I loved it when my teacher, who played the oboe, would put on some classical music and make us listen to the different instruments. In fact, it was because of her that I decided to play an instrument. Eventually, in sixth grade, I picked out an instrument, the cello, and joined my school's orchestra all the way through twelfth grade.
       However, seven years of orchestra get quite expensive. All those years of private lessons, instrument rentals, and those "mandatory" out-of-state trips add up in the checkbook. I couldn't help but think how all this will pay off in the future, especially if I am not going to major in music in college or make a career out of it. However, after coming across an article from PsychCentral, I am glad I stuck with the cello for all those years.

       This article talks about how music can alter the brain anatomy. It says that a new study shows how early musical training can strengthen the brain, especially regions that influence language skills and functions such as planning, organization, and managing time and space. According to Yunxin Wang of the State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning at Beijing Normal University, the volume of brain regions related to hearing and self-awareness appeared to be larger in those who began taking music lessons before age seven. Wang states that "early musical training does more good for kids than just making it easier for them to enjoy music - it changes their brain and these brain changes could lead to cognitive advances as well." The article can be viewed using this link: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/11/17/early-musical-training-alters-brain-anatomy/62122.html

       After reading that article, I realized that my orchestra directors were right. Everything we learn in the orchestra room applies to not only the music on the page but also life. I know. It sounds cliché; however, there are many skills that I learned in orchestra that are difficult to acquire anywhere else such as ensemble skills, planning, and organization.
       Looking back, I can see how orchestra has benefited me throughout the years. And I only started in sixth grade. I can't even imagine how I would be today if I started at age eight, seven, or six! It might be too late for me but hey, at least now I know to get my child straight into music lessons as soon as he/ she can walk. :)