Hello. My name is Erik Martin and I'm seeking to interview Canadian music teachers, researchers/scientists, and one child and one adult who currently take music lessons for a musical instrument for an article I’m writing for the Canadian version of The Costco Connection (the consumer magazine for members of Costco stores) on the following topic:
Getting in tune: Why taking up a musical instrument is rewarding at any age. This story will examine why now is a good time for an adult or child to consider learning a new skill and taking music lessons on an instrument of interest. Benefits include sharpening the brain, impressing friends and family, creating new social connections/opportunities, and enriching your life. A 2014 study suggested that music training not only helps children develop fine motor skills, but aids emotional and behavioral maturation as well; other studies indicate that it can help improve memory function and cognitive abilities in older adults, too. Living in the U.S. without international phone service, I can only conduct an email interview (you or your source must type up responses to my questions below and email them to me). My deadline to complete the interview is Monday, March 7.
QUESTIONS:
1. (FOR A CONSUMER WHO CURRENTLY TAKES MUSIC LESSONS):
a. What instrument do you play, for how long, why and when did you choose this instrument, and how often do you take lessons?
b. What do you get out of playing/learning a musical instrument? What are the benefits for you, and why have you continued with this instrument?
c. What advice would you give to others were considering taking up a musical instrument for the first time for themselves or their children? Why is it worthwhile, and what should they be considering carefully before choosing an instrument and a music teacher?
d. Any other thoughts you would like to add?
e. What is your full name, age, and city/province location in Canada? Also, this is not required to be included in my article, but are you a Costco Canada member, and if so, for how many years?
2. What are the mental, social, and physical benefits of taking music lessons and learning a new musical instrument?
3. Can you cite any research (preferably Canadian) that suggests these benefits and advantages to taking up a musical instrument?
4. How and why can learning and practicing a musical instrument be rewarding for adults as well as school-age children? Does it matter what age the person begins practicing/playing, or can a person reap the benefits at any age?
5. Which instruments are the most beneficial to the mind and body, and which instruments are the most challenging to learn? Why?
6. Are the benefits the same across all age groups? How is the learning curve different at various ages?
7. How long will it take to become proficient on a given instrument, and should proficiency be the main goal?
8. Which instrument(s) do you recommend as a good starter instrument for a young child, at what earliest age, and why? Which instruments do you recommend that older adults/senior citizens consider taking up, and why? What is a good starter instrument you would recommend for someone on a very tight budget?
9. What considerations should an adult or parent make before deciding on/investing in a musical instrument and lessons? What should be considered carefully to ensure that they or their child will like/learn from/benefit from/keep up with the instrument?
10. What are some things that consumers should also consider carefully when shopping around to buy a chosen musical instrument? What should they be looking for/listening for, and what are some consumer red flags?
11. What can a consumer expect to pay (provide a Canadian price range of low to high) for a new: acoustic guitar? Starter drum set? Saxophone? Horn/trumpet? Upright piano? Digital piano? Woodwind instrument? How much can they save if they choose a used version of any of these instruments?
12. What are some things that consumers should also consider carefully when searching for a music teacher to provide lessons? Where and how should they conduct the search? What questions should they ask teacher candidates, especially if the teacher is for a child?
13. Any other thoughts, ideas, tips or suggestions you would like to add?
14. What is your full name, title/company (if you’re a business), and city/province/territory location?
15. Are you a Costco member, and if so, for how many years?
Keywords
music, musical instrument, Canada
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