Learning music is both a great privilege and a great commitment. Music is the universal language through which humans of all cultures can communicate and understand one another’s emotions and struggles. The great composers of the world have had an enormous impact on all of our lives. Their work continues to inspire people all of the world, filling its listeners with joy, wonder, sadness, passion – every emotion conjured up by the compositions of a hard-working artists who understood the importance of both love and discipline in music. Talent can be developed by any student if discipline is established through regular practice.
Music is not simply an after-school hobby, but a rewarding art form that can remain with students throughout their lives. By taking their music studies seriously, students will learn important life lessons and discover a beautiful means of expressing themselves. As with many tasks, we can feel frustrated as musicians when we feel we are not making progress, but the truth is that we need to push ourselves a little bit harder to reap the amazing rewards that dedication can bring.
Some of the greatest composers who have ever lived faced enormous obstacles, both emotional and material. They persevered and remained dedicated to their music, because they knew what all music students may come to know: that music is a great joy as well as a sophisticated art form that is too often forgotten in today’s world. The pure beauty of music, from solely instruments to opera, were once an important part of every person’s life, but today we often forget to stop and appreciate the best the world of music has to offer.
The great Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, had parents who appreciated and understood the importance of music and its power to make its students true citizens of the world. Yet, during Tchaikovsky’s youth and young adulthood, there were very few opportunities for musicians to make a living in Russia. While he studied to become a civil servant, Tchaikovsky never let go of his passion for music. Although he was a clever child, it took dedication, good teaching, and frequent practice for him to become the brilliant composer we know him as today.
Students and parents must remain committed to the pupil’s musical studies. As in life, there will always be times of frustration, when hard work and dedication are required. Struggles in music learning are the perfect opportunity for parents to encourage their children to remain disciplined and dedicated to achieving their goal. We all must leave our comfort zones in order to challenge ourselves, because it is only through challenges and hard work that we can grow as artists and as people.
Parents must emphasize the importance of remaining dedicated and steadfast. Often when we pursue a goal or try to learn something new, we become easily frustrated if we do not grasp the topic or see obvious progress right away. But every step and every bit of practicing counts. Through their music, students can learn the important life skills necessary to make their dreams come true. Hard work, dedication, and self-discipline are key to success in life. For students to become truly happy, they must learn these skills, and there are few better ways of doing so than to cultivate a talent as wonderful as being able to read and play music.
Wolfgang Mozart is widely regarded as one of the greatest Western composers, but too often stories of his considerable natural talents eclipse the hard work and discipline that he developed over the years. Students may have all the natural talent that is possible, but without dedication they will not be able to fulfill their potential. When students think of Mozart as a man who was simply a genius, they will find themselves to be lesser and become discouraged. The truth is that Mozart had to work hard, and he often rewrote his works many times before they became the polished works we know today.
Parents who hope for their children to lead fulfilling lives must understand that, just as in any other area of life, students must be made to do what is difficult for them. Often what we want most requires some slight discomfort, but our discomfort pales in comparison to the rewards our goals bring, including the sense of accomplishment we feel when we reach a milestone we have set for ourselves.
It is true that music can be a time-consuming joy, but time passes no matter how we choose to spend it. Why not encourage children to spend time on a rich, rewarding pastime that will last for years and give them a real sense of success? Music illuminates the world and increases our understanding of its complexity.
George Frideric Handel, perhaps best known among popular audiences for his “Hallelujah” chorus, had parents who were indifferent, even downright opposed to the idea of his pursuit of music. His natural affinity for music caused his father to attempt to take that music away from him, but Handel was so enamored of music and found such joy in playing it, that he would sneak chances to do so. Students may not immediately have this love of music, but, as they learn to appreciate and understand it, their passion will grow and sustain them through tough periods. Parental support can make all the difference for students who may be hesitant to study. In contrast to Handel’s father, parents and guardians should urge their children to cultivate their talents and make an extensive effort to improve.
These skills are important for every area of life. Music connects us to the cultural heritage of our countries and the world at large. Anything that has so much power and meaning can, at times, seem overwhelming, but, when we devote ourselves to studying music, its nature takes on a sense of order, and we can see and understand the care taken to create the most beautiful compositions.
One of the most famous difficulties faced by a composer is found in the life of Beethoven. The German composer began to lose his hearing when he was just thirty years old. Prior to his deafness, Beethoven faced the discipline of harsh teachers but eventually came to find the right schedule and methods for himself. By combining discipline, hard work, and passionate joy, Beethoven created some of the most beloved and recognizable works of classical music the world has ever known.
Students can take inspiration from the lives of the composers who have gone before them. Regardless of the problems music learners may face, they can draw on these examples to help them overcome their troubles. Whether a difficulty is internal or external, students must be able to remain dedicated to their craft. In order to develop talent, students must exercise discipline and treat their music as a priority. Parental support and, at times, pressure, is essential to helping children develop not just into musicians but into confident, successful adults.