Originally Posted By: MarioD
... I will add that the cutting of music in elementary and high schools has a lot to do with kids not involved in music. When I was in school music classes were the classes a lot of students looked forward to attending, even though it taught discipline! In our little town of around 5K there was three different bands competing for school dances. We would all get together to jam, many times bringing our marching or orchestra instruments along with our guitars, basses keyboards, and drums. That does not happen today.

The lack of music in schools also has a major affect on the lack of discipline today. I have seen that in many of my guitar and bass students. It is much easier to play a video game then to practice an instrument. As always the path of least resistance.
...

Sorry about the rant.

Agreed
I wrote an essay for college years ago and the purpose was to explain something to someone.
I wrote about being a musician(of course).
You are reading something in a foreign language (notation)
You are doing math on the fly (1/8 note 1/16 note 4/4, 7/4 etc)
At the same time you are listening to those around you so you fit in (cooperative)
On top of that you have your own inflections to bring into the performance (again in real time)
.. oh and you have to be able to do that and think about the next note before it is too late ..

It teaches discipline, teamwork, math, language, multitasking and self expression in one class while the students enjoy it.

Also studies have shown music students actually do have an advantage in many real life situations and perform better in school

/my parents owned a music store so they were prone to know such things
//they actually spoke to congress a couple times many years ago trying to keep music in school
///worked for while, and it is still an optional class in MI, FWIW

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!