This is a very common question of students who are learning music. The students generally think that they should take a break and their parents also insist on it. Especially, this is an expected behaviour around the annual exams but many times general class tests also generate this fear and pressure of studies and they start to keep themselves away from music.
Let’s understand whether the break is essential? To that, I want to explain two different situations.
First, if a child is learning music due to his parents’ wishes but not due to his interest, then the break is fine and will be useful. Parents always think good for a child and because they know the benefits of music, they enrol their child for music classes. Therefore at this point, parents must think and find out the reason why their child is not taking interest in music. Is he going to the right Guru/institution to learn the subject? Many times we all have seen children are very reluctant to go to school when they first start going to school. They even start crying just upon listening to the name of the school. But as a parent, we forcefully drop them there and they enter the school crying and yelling. Magically, when we go to pick them up we see them smiling. Because we chose a good place where we understand that the mentors know how to handle a child properly. At this type of place children start enjoying very soon and gradually they start learning so well. This happens because they develop interest in doing various things in school while learning with other kids.
Then why don’t take the selection of the place for music seriously? We should put our children to a music school after proper research, the way we do for their education. We should understand that time is precious and when we are sending our child to learn something special, we should give equal importance to search for the right guru/institution. This way, a child will develop an interest towards music.
We must find out that the teacher/mentor/Guru should be knowledgeable and should know how to teach that subject? Identifying a good Guru/teacher/institution is the first requisite for learning music. If a child goes to the right place then he will definitely develop an interest in music.
Second, our own fear, that the child for his/her love for music, will not give importance to studies. This is not true. Several scientific studies have indicated that music develops concentration, enhances memory skills and energises a person. Once an interest towards music develops, children themselves will refuse to take a break from the music class as this class will reduce the stress and would energize his mind and soul. They will be able to manage both, their education, and their interest in music.
Very tru sir, I agree to your view points, even for elders like me music is a source of meditation it gives immense relief pre and post work, it creates a mood and work seems more easy to handle. Same for students, if student is reading throughout the year and singing and learning music in parallel it gives them a break and help concentrate. Views are my personal.
Music is inside every child’s soul, but it takes great teacher to see it. Thank you so much for your unwavering attention and guidance.
Very rightly said. I also agree with this. Firstly,we should encourage children to learn music. For this, music classes should be such that the students get interested. Parents should understand that music can help to enhance memory and concentration. It has been proved scientifically also. So parents should try to create interest in music. This will help the children for their betterment. So I feel that music and studies can be combined for better results from the students.
Very well said, sir. I totally agree with this. Our tendency is to put an OR in conflicting situations. When we practice putting AND in such situations, things start improving in our life. Exams are important but so is the passion. Keeping an AND as an attitude develops this skill for other areas of life too. In the initial days of training, it’s the parents responsibility to maintain this AND.
Thank you so much for this blog, It is really very useful.
Excellent piece of advice for School and college going children. Most of the time students are in dilemma exams are approaching. Thankyou sir for sharing.
Very well said! It is important to balance both the activities – studies and music. As a parent, we should understand what all we should do to help our children to do both. Music is also a serious art. Unless one is dedicated and sincere… it is difficult to achieve more.