Music is a language. Both music and verbal languages serve the same purpose. They are both forms of expression. They can be used as a way to communicate with others. They can be read and written. They can make you laugh or cry, think or question, and can speak to one or many. And both can definitely make you move.
In some instances, music works better than the spoken word, because it doesn't have to be understood to be effective. Although many musicians agree that music is a language, it is rarely treated as such. Many of us treat it as something that can only be learned by following a strict regimen, under the tutelage of a skilled teacher. This approach has been followed for hundreds of years with proven success, but it takes a long time—too long.
Think about the first language you learn as a child. More importantly, think about how you learned it. You were a baby when you first started speaking, and even though you spoke the language incorrectly, you were allowed to make mistakes. And the more mistakes you made, the more your parents smiled.
Learning to speak was not something you were sent somewhere to do only a few times a week. And the majority of the people you spoke to were not beginners. They were already proficient speakers. Imagine your parents forcing you to only speak to other babies until you were good enough to speak to them. You would probably be an adult before you could carry on a proper conversation. To use a musical term, as a baby, you were allowed to jam with professionals.
If we approach music in the same natural way we approached our first language, we will learn to speak it in the same short time it took to speak our first language. Proof of this can be seen in almost any family where a child grows up with other musicians.
Here are a few keys to follow in learning or teaching music. In the beginning, embrace mistakes instead of correcting them. Like a child playing air guitar, there are no wrong notes. Allow young musicians to play and perform with accomplished musicians on a daily basis. Encourage young musicians to play more than they practice. The more they play, the more they will practice on their own. Music comes from the musician, not the instrument.
And most importantly, remember that a language works best when we have something interesting to say. Many music teachers never find out what their students have to say. We only tell them what they are supposed to say.
A child speaks a language for years before they even learn the alphabet. Too many rules at the beginning will actually slow them down. In my eyes, the approach to music should be the same. After all, music is a language too.
Comprehension Questions (Multiple Choice)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Music is harder to learn than language
B. Music should be taught like a natural language
C. Only professionals can teach music well
D. Children should not learn music
2. Why does the author say music can be more effective than spoken language?
A. It is easier to write
B. It is always louder
C. It does not need to be understood to be effective
D. It uses more emotion
3. How do most people traditionally learn music, according to the passage?
A. By playing with friends
B. By listening only
C. By following strict lessons with a teacher
D. By experimenting freely
4. What comparison does the author make about learning language as a child?
A. Children learn by making mistakes and interacting with fluent speakers
B. Children learn by practicing alone
C. Children learn by reading books first
D. Children learn only at school
5. What does the phrase “jam with professionals” suggest?
A. Babies play instruments
B. Babies learn by interacting with skilled speakers
C. Babies attend music classes
D. Babies avoid making mistakes
6. According to the author, what should young musicians do more often?
A. Practice silently
B. Study theory
C. Avoid mistakes
D. Simply play music
7. Why can too many rules slow down learning?
A. They make learning more expensive
B. They reduce creativity and natural learning
C. They confuse teachers
D. They make music boring
Music is a
language. Both music and verbal languages serve the same purpose. They are both
forms of expression. They can be used as a way to communicate with others. They
can be read and written. They can make you laugh or cry, think or question, and
can speak to one or many. And both can definitely make you move.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Think about
the first language you learn as a child. More importantly, think about how you
learned it. You were a baby when you first started speaking, and even though
you spoke the language incorrectly you were allowed to make mistakes. And the
more mistakes you made, the more your parents smiled.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Music is a language.
Both music and verbal languages serve the
same purpose.
They are both
forms of expression.
They can be used as a way to communicate with others.
They can be read and written.
They can make you laugh or cry,
think or question,
and can speak to one or many.
And both
can definitely make
you move.
In some
instances, music works better
than the spoken word,
because it doesn't
have to be understood
to be effective.
Although many musicians agree that music is a language,
it is rarely
treated as such.
Think about the first language you learn as a child.
More importantly,
think about how you
learned it.
You were a baby
when you first started speaking,
and even though you spoke the language incorrectly
you were allowed
to make mistakes.
And the more
mistakes you made,
the more
your parents smiled.
Learning to speak was not something you were sent somewhere to do
only a few times
a week.
And the majority
of the people you spoke to
were not
beginners.
They were already
proficient speakers.
Imagine your parents forcing you to only speak to other babies
until you were good enough to speak to them.
You would probably be an adult before you could carry on a proper conversation.
Vocab:
regiment
tutelage
proficient
to carry on a proper conversation
to jam (improvise)
air guitar (pretending to play the guitar with your hands)
accomplished
Go to Lesson:
Music as a Language
Language focus: listen (with headphones if possible) and fill the gaps
1. ___ music and verbal languages serve the ____ purpose.
2. In some ________ music works better than the spoken word because it doesn't ___ __ __ understood to be __________.
3. _________ many musicians agree that music is a language, it is rarely treated as ____.
4. ____ _____ you spoke the language incorrectly, you were allowed to make mistakes.
5. And ___ ____ mistakes you made, ___ _____ your parents smiled.
6. In the beginning, ________ mistakes ______ __ correcting them.
7. There ___ no wrong notes.
8. to play and perform with accomplished musicians ___ a _____ basis.
9. ___ _____ they play, ___ _____ they will practice on their own.
10. Remember that a language works ____ when we ____ something interesting to say.
11. ____ many rules ___ the onset will actually slow them down.
12. In my _____, the approach to music should be the same. _____ ___, music is a language too.
