SOME PHILOSOPHY, METHODS and FUTURE of MUSIC LANGUAGE.
The importance of music in general education has long been suspected. The ancient Greeks had it as one of the three core subjects in their education. Down through the ages and especially in the last 200 years it has had its champions.In the present day, using scanning machines, research on music and the brain has produced dramatic findings. Scans of brain activity show that music (and, especially, music performance) has great effect on the brain – using so much of it that there is constant practice to the connections of the whole brain – both right and left sides.
The effect of music on the brain improves with practice and lasts, and is there for use in other ways. Modern research shows that early music, before age seven can have a positive and lasting effect, so an early start to music in a child’s life (the earlier the better) is a very desirable thing. Music Language encourages early childhood training and has advice for parents and activities for this early childhood approach.
Music Language is a holistic approach to music, with music as a thing to do, learning music through playing instruments, singing and aural training – not just learning ‘theory.’ There is nothing about music that is very ‘theoretical’ if it is done properly – it is all about training the ear and the body for music activity.
Making music is a social event and, ideally, should be done in ensemble. Music Language classes are kept small so that learning and doing can happen together. It is hoped that music making will be a family event at home, and, to that end, parents are invited to be part of the class so that they, too, will know what to do at home. So that the ensembles can perform in greater numbers, Music Language studios have concerts so that what has been worked on in class can be performed in a larger ensemble by more students.
Music Language aims to keep good music making alive so that it will be there and ready for when, in the future, general education moves to make music a greater part of the total education of the child. That will help our social education to be brought to par with our technical education so that we can learn to use that technical education properly. This may not happen for two or three generations. We can only hope and work towards that goal.