Musical press

Recently, I picked up the saxophone again for the first time in 30 years – since I stopped having lessons at school. And I loved it! Ok so I was far from good, but it surprised me how much I remembered after so long and how automatically my fingers played the right notes (although perhaps not at the right time, but we won’t dwell on that). What surprised me the most was how much fun it was to play again – especially when my teacher picked up her instrument and played along with me. I remember I always enjoyed learning to play when I was a child, but I had forgotten the fun of just playing. With the new school term upon us, now is the ideal time to get your child learning a new instrument. We’re lucky in Braunton to have such a wide array of musical options and below is a list of the current instrumental teachers at Braunton Academy. Many of these also teach at the local primary schools and there are of course others who teach privately, but this is a good place to start looking. If you need more reasons why you should learn a musical instrument, then read on!

1. Playing a Musical Instrument Improves Memory

When you learn to play a musical instrument you use both the right and left part of your brain. This works your brain harder and so improves your memory.

2. Music Helps Relieve Stress

There is no doubt that music can heighten your emotions. It’s also been proven to help you to calm down, lower your heart rate and blood pressure. This in turn lowers the stress hormone cortisol, making us feel relaxed. Whilst just listening to music helps, research has shown that learning to play an instrument brings with it comfort and daily repetition which helps keep the stress away.

3. It Makes You Smarter!

There has been a lot of research which shows that children who learn to play a musical instrument do better in their academic studies than children who do not.

Instrument Clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe Singing/Voice Guitar Cello, piano Violin Trumpet, Tuba, Trombone, French Horn Drum Kit Teacher Address

Carol Dewis 07971 250636 - caroldewis@gmail.com

Louise Mott ladamemott@gmail.com Tim Parker 01271 379743 - parker151@btinternet.com Lara Foot 01237 471122 - lara_foot@hotmail.co.uk Jane Norris 01271 344423 Paul Moulton 07949 933440 - pjmail@netscape.net

James Blofeld 01271 883720 - www.imsmusic.co.uk

Piano Violin, Piano Flute

Di West 07812 653487 - di_west@btinternet.com R Barrow RJbarrow21@gmail.com S Northrop 07890 022264 - Susan.e.northrop@googlemail.com Guitar, Piano Joe Boon 01271 883720/07974 849303 - www.imsmusic.co.uk Guitar (online via zoom only) Sam Green 07855 053883

4. It Can Give You a Sense of Achievement

As with any new task, once you start to become comfortable and familiar with what you’re doing, you build confidence in completing that task.

5. It’s Fun!

Aside from all of these scientific reasons for learning to play an instrument, you should do so just because it is great fun and will put a smile on your face!

** Please note - There are many other music teachers operating in and around Braunton. The ones listed here are simply those currently teaching in Braunton Academy. Your child’s school will be more than happy to put in you in touch with other music teachers – just ask them!