Benefits of Learning an Instrument | Keep it Affordable
I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Thanks to The Network Niche, today’s post, Benefits of Learning an Instrument | Keep it Affordable, is sponsored by Music & Arts.
When you were younger, did you take music lessons after school or play in the band at school? Or, was your exposure to music more limited with a culmination of playing the recorder at school?
I was fortunate to have my parents decide to invest in my sisters and I’s learning the piano for as long as we maintained the interest. I’ve made the conscious decision to provide music as an important part of my boys’ learning both in the form of music appreciation and actual instruments.
There are many benefits to learning an instrument which pay dividends in other areas of life. However, affordability can be an obstacle for many which just needs a solution in place.
Benefits of Learning an Instrument
Have you heard people tossing around antidotal pieces indicating that playing a musical instrument will make their kid into a genius? Well, it won’t guarantee that your son or daughter is the next Einstein. However, there is plenty of research out there to indicate there are multiple benefits of learning an instrument and they do not all apply in the area of music or specific academic success (e.g. math.)
Learning an instrument takes patience and practice. Not a single person I know in my life was a prodigy who just sat at the piano or picked up another instrument and was proficient overnight. Instead, they had to work to learn the basics and practice to hone those skills to a mastery level which then enabled them to learn more complicated selections. The exercise of patience and diligence required for practicing skills can translate into improved performance in other areas.
Every instrument I’ve encountered requires hand – eye coordination. My eldest son opted to switch from piano to guitar as the combined need to process written notes on the page and then translate to using both hands on the keyboard was a challenging skill for him. Ironically, I have not mastered the guitar as years of playing piano have the need to use your hands differently seem difficult for me.
How does keeping your brain ‘young’ sound? Activities that challenge your brain on many levels, such as learning to play a musical instrument, provide great stimulation for your brain. While you can learn something in your adulthood, picking up an instrument earlier in life is that much easier for many. Even if you take a break from it as a young adult, you can quickly regain skills later in life.
I’ve seen this in my own life where years as a mom have me experiencing spurts of inactivity on my piano. However, getting back into the swing of things isn’t impossible and I often wonder why I didn’t make time to continually play as it is enjoyable. That’s right! You can get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when playing an instrument. That can then lead to a reduction in stress. Plus, how can you be bored when there is a vast array of music waiting for you to play?
How to Keep it Affordable
Musical instruments and lessons for your child are not cheap. Depending upon your son or daughter’s instrument of choice, the cost to purchase it could lead to a bit of hyperventilation. My parents invested in a piano in part to have three kids use it over more than a decade instead of multiple instruments which might have been played for just a year or two. Thankfully, there ARE options.
The cost saving option we were introduced to when our third son began band last year is the idea of renting your instrument. He elected to start with clarinet which was on the lower end of expenses and we found a previous rental instrument at a lower price point. However, he has friends whose parents did go down the rental path as paying $20, $30, $40 or $50 dollars per month was much easier to manage than thousands up front. 
Seeing how many of his fellow 6th graders from last year have dropped band from their schedule in 7th grade, renting became not only affordable but easier than having an unused instrument sitting on a shelf for ‘some day’ when it will be picked up again or sold to a new owner. That is how my 7th grader now has a saxophone on top of the clarinet in our house. My nephew set it aside with no desire to return to playing, so we purchased it from them.
As for the process of learning, hiring an instructor is definitely the best and preferred way to get started. However, I can share that my boys have learned a lot from their individual exploration and online programs, all in concert with someone with good technique and teaching ability working to support them. My one son quickly worked his way through the beginning clarinet book on home on his own just reading and following instructions with reinforcement in band class. His desire to push himself contributed to his ability to place in the district wide honor band with limited seats per instrument. He is excited to be in the intermediate band at the middle school this year and plans to audition for the junior youth symphony run by the school district. This proud mother can’t wait to see where he goes on this musical journey. 
Curious of where to start the process? Visit Music & Arts for local information on music instrument rentals. Also, don’t miss the upcoming Twitter party with fun and prizes on Wednesday, September 9th at 9 pm EST. Follow @thenetworkniche for all the details and I hope to ‘see’ you there!
Do you play an instrument or have a child/children that do?
Was renting an instrument the chosen path to get started for your family?
This is fantastic! All those useful and practical information . These things are very much in my mind because I have a 4 year old myself, and I’m noticing the things I’m doing to have him lesson-ready. I think Kids aren’t the only ones who can reap the benefits of learning an instrument. Adults will also gain tremendously from playing a musical instrument.
I loved that you mentioned renting an instrument. I think it is a great way to see if your child really has an interest in pursuing that instrument or wants to try something else without spending a ton of money. I love the guitar and really value music. I can’t wait to get my son started in lessons.
We rented my son’s flute and then used the purchase option a few months later as we were moving out of the country and he wanted to continue the flute. I am thankful to find a flute teacher from church just down the road who is reasonable. We have a piano teacher that comes to the house for both children.
I used to play the coronet but gave it up. We rented it. I wonder if my niece and nephew would like to play something. I’ll have to ask my sisters. Good idea! Thanks! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I learned to play guitar and still play.
That’s awesome, Angie! I find playing piano relaxing and try to sit down at least one a month to not get too rusty. Lately, though, it is boys asking me to sight read something for them so they can hear it played before trying for themselves.
My first born plays flute and is also dabbling with the piano in our home. My youngest has a drum set at his dads and has some great talent with that!
That’s terrific, Brandy! Music can be so much fun.
My youngest is begging to learn the drums. We even met a teacher who takes younger, motivated students who showed us a 4 year old who’s phenomenal at it.
I learned to play clarinet in junior high and played even through college. Always glad I did.
I love this post. There are many great things about learning how to play an instrument. I surely hope my daughters pick up something while they’re in school. We all definitely do love our music!
I played just about every instrument I could get my hands on in school. My kids are asking to play so it is definitely time to get them started. Thanks for the info on renting.
I think my 7th grader is that way, Rebecca. He started with clarinet, starting picking out songs on my digital piano, and added saxophone this summer. He’s tried to pluck chords on the ‘kid’ guitar, but gets shot evil looks from his older brother about copying or infringing on his territory. My eldest son has acoustic, classical, and electric guitars now and still plays a bit on the piano.
Very good information! I never played an instrument, however, my son played the violin and chello when he was in elementary school. It certainly benefited him in a lot of areas.
I played the drums when I was younger and loved it. Lately, I’ve been thinking of taking up either the piano or the saxophone. My son played trumpet and my daughter the viola. I always thought an instrument was a nice compliment to their education.
I think it is great when kids want to learn instruments. In elementary school I wanted to play the clarinet.
My boys ages 5 and 7 are learning to play the piano, and we are hoping that they’ll learn another instrument at school.
Great post! I played two instruments while in school and now as a mom trying to figure out when to put my seven and four year old in music.
I learned two instruments growing up, and now my children are ready to start. I love your tips- my daughter taught herself with little help from me through two beginner piano books. I figure I won’t have to hire a teacher until she gets into the more difficult levels!
I love all the benefits of learning an instrument! I know the cost of an instrument can add up fast!
I did take flute lessons when I was in school. My parents bought the flute, it was expensive and I don’t think they had rentals back then. My boys don’t take music lessons in school. My son plays guitar and drums and was partially taught by my husband and is partially self-taught.
Great tips on keeping it affordable. I think learning an instrument is key, but a lot of people are discouraged due to costs. My oldest is just narrowing down her choice for middle school.
What helped us, Tammi, is that the music stores in our area offered a place to TRY different instruments. One of my boys wanted a trumpet, but then struggled to make any sound come out when he tried.
I know some who send their kids to private lessons on top of band at school, but that’s more than we can afford right now.
My son started kindergarten. He doesn’t play anything yet, but we need to pick soon!
For that age, a focus on basics like rhythm is great. Some kids do great with a violin or piano at that age, too, with the right teacher.
Thanks! I appreciate the advice. 🙂
this is good info. I think renting is the smart answer, it is really hard to tell if it is going to a long-term thing or not. I do think however, with piano, an electronic one is not at all like a real piano, sometimes you can get decent ones almost free if you will pay the moving costs. I started with piano at a young age and glad I did.
Exactly, Rosie! It just worked out that the music store had a gently used clarinet that was discounted enough that the price was close to about 18 months of rentals. Otherwise, renting would have made a LOT more sense.
As for pianos, not all keyboards are the same. We own a digital piano with weighted keys, etc. that is very similar in feel and sound to some pianos. Bonus for me is no need to have it tuned and it is able to be moved across country.