Are Music Teachers Passé?

The College Entrance Examination Board reports music students score over 40 points higher on the math portion of the S.A.T.

Does your store carry software that teaches kids music? If not, then maybe it should. Infant and preschool learning toys are expected to continue their strong appeal in 2005, according to the Toy Industry Association.

The American International Toy Fair expanded its range of specialized merchandise this year with the new exhibit area called Reading, Writing & Rhythm, where music-related toys, books and CDs were displayed. These types of programs are selling steadily as compared with last year, reported David Zimet, an owner of Hickey’s Music Center in Ithaca, N.Y.

Beyond enjoyment, the benefits of learning music show up in mathematics and reading as well as most other academic subjects. A study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that music instruction can help kids score up to 48% higher on spatial-temporal skills. The College Entrance Examination Board reports music students score over 40 points higher on the math portion of the S.A.T.

Typically, schools provide children with their first formal introduction to music study. Don’t discount academic institutions when presenting musical software for sale. However, the public school systems often consider music as optional and cut back the programs in times of budgetary crisis, as has recently happened in Detroit and New Bedford, Mass.

Composer David Arden has partnered with Adventus Inc. to make the software program, Children’s Musical Journey, and has begun testing the computerized piano-teaching programs meant for elementary students in the schools. As an alternative to individual music instruction, the program allows more children to learn the basics of music without the expense.

Because children as young as 2 years of age can learn an instrument, software that caters to preschool as well as grade school may be appropriate for your shelves. Matt, the owner of Computers N Music in Colorado Springs, said, “Software is an integral part of the music education business.” Many programs use lessons that mimic traditional lessons, but music software isn’t all practice songs and scales.

Overall, the best selling and highest recommended program was Music Ace Deluxe by Harmonic Vision Inc., said Anthony Zirsas, sales associate of Piano Trends Music Co. in Crystal Lake, Ill. Music Ace provides lessons, games and even a place to compose music. David Zimet recommended the Interactive Classics series, by Music Games International (now A Tigor Media Inc.) (ToyDirectory), for children. Mozart’s Magic Flute by Interactive Classics incorporates games and a story with a backdrop of classical music. He predicts Tchaikovsky´s Nutcracker: The Music Game by Interactive Classics may boost sales during the holidays.

It’s important to make learning music enjoyable. “You can’t teach a love of music, but you can teach a hatred of it,” said Jordan. “Practicing even 5 to 10 minutes a day will help.” Computers are changing the way kids can learn music. With interactive learning games, practice might even be fun, as well as profitable.

Children of all ages can learn music while at the computer with the following music lessons cleverly disguised as games.