Although I realize popular music may have its rightful place in any young adults life, I worry that a steady diet of ONLY popular music can have long lasting effects on a person. To me it's akin to only eating junk food. All those years just add up to diabetes, obesity, rotted out teeth and depression ... the effects of pop music, though not life threatening, are damaging in its own way.
It's no surprise to you that most popular music generally is about a handful of interests - sex, sex, sex ... did I mention sex?
It distresses me that many young adults are listening to music that addresses only one small sliver of the human experience.
Not to mention, be prescribed what to think, feel and act about sexuality. Aaaaand, I think we can all agree that we don't want our kids following in the footsteps of Cardi B. So do we ban our kids from listening to the junk food? What's the solution?
Classical music my friends.
The answer to all your problems in life - classical music.
Classical music doesn't prescribe anything to the listener. Unlike pop music (which prescribes what to feel, think and do) classical music leaves room for interpretation and thus requires active listening from its audience. There is (often) no text to glean from, no obvious unrelenting chorus. It is simply music to feel, listen and interpret in your own unique way.
This is extremely freeing! Classical music allows you to feel whatever YOU organically feel not what the music thrusts upon you through text.
I think our children and youth need more ORGANIC experiences in their lives and less ARTIFICIAL. Surrounding yourself with positive music can work wonders on an individual.
However, getting your kids on a steady diet of classical music takes a little creativity. As a piano teacher I realize first hand how children and young adults aren't necessarily eager to listen to classical music. The BEST way to give your child a healthy dose of Classical is by getting them in music lessons!
Music lessons begin opening an entire NEW WORLD for them. It puts them in the driver seat of creativity and musical innovation.
When you learn how to create music something truly special changes within you - you realize YOU have a voice and you are an artist. I cannot express enough how life changing this is to an individual.
I still remember the first time I really noticed classical music. My parents had a tape of Debussy's Clair de Lune that I would listen to on walkman (that's right, a walkman!). I remember laying on the floor and just listening to this piece over, and over, and over again. There were no words to tell me what emotions to feel - instead I discovered those impressions within myself organically. I was moved.
This one piece changed my life and I began a love for piano. When the day finally came that I was ready to study Debussy's Clair de Lune the feeling of accomplishment and pure joy was one of the best moments of my life.
The feeling of accomplishment and peace that studying classical music brings lasts a lifetime. It keeps giving and giving.
Popular music, although exciting, engaging and immediately understood, will never give someone the long lasting emotional nutrition that classical music brings.
So if you've been on the fence to start a loved one (or yourself!) in music lessons I urge you to move forward. Start that journey today. You'll be so glad you did!