Is interest in making - playing music declining?

[tjmangum]

Spent some time teaching some guitar basics to several of my grand kids on New Years day and it made me wonder if the interest in making music is declining in today's world? With fewer music programs in schools these days and all the different activities and distractions available, is making - playing music declining in interest?
Several years ago, when I started playing in the church worship band, the pastor told me it was easier to find someone to sing in our congregation of 200 plus families, than it was to find someone to play guitar or another instrument. And this was for a commitment of a couple of Sunday mornings a month with a 45 minute rehearsal before church started.
Are young people today so oriented to things that provide instant gratification and rewards that they shy away from "hard things" that reap rewards so much farther down the line?
Just a thought.
T

 

[rampside]

IMHO, If they don't start on an instrument at a very early age, it's less likely to happen later on, in this day and age.

 

[walrus]

I definitely think the distractions of the Internet, computers, phones, etc. cause less kids to be less interested. Also, many of the the top "artists" today don't play an instrument, its all about the "show" and the dancing.

And why learn an instrument when I can electronically "sample" other artists and call it my own?

Bottom line: its a different world. Anyone who takes the time and effort to learn to play an instrument is going to stand out even more, so good for them!

walrus

 

[killdeer43]

Since she expressed an interest when I played/sang, I bought my granddaughter a 3/4 size guitar when she was 6, at the suggestion of her music-teacher-to-be. He suggested that she would "get a feel for the guitar" and be ready for lessons when she was 8.

She's 13 now and is only interested in her iPhone and Justin Bieber. :shock:
The guitar remains virtually unplayed, except when I stop by for a visit and coincidentally clean it, tune it, strum a tune or two......

Go figure,
Joe

 

[fronobulax]

Interesting question and open ended enough to garner nothing but opinions and anecdotes.

To look at singing, it seems to me that the only places people sing these days (without explicitly joining a chorus) are at sporting events where the National Anthem is played and in church (or equivalent for organized worship in community). I don't think that has changed much in the past 75 years but is different from the days before television and radio where people would sing around the piano in their parlor for entertainment. The folks I read who are concerned with declining participation in congregational music attribute it to several factors of which I think a couple are valid. One is that in a society that thrives on instant gratification, even the minimal amount of work needed to make music (as opposed to noise) is deemed too much. A second is the trend to observe, and be entertained, rather than participate. Some studies suggest the same thing is happening in sports, as well.

On instrumental music. while I note the decline in instrumental music programs in our schools, I am not so sure that there is a corresponding decline in the number of adults who continue to play an instrument. School music programs have always had high attrition. That said I do think popular culture and music serve as inspirations and examples. I do think people who were exposed to guitar playing "folkies" or the traditional four piece rock band are likely to investigate guitar as their creative outlet. But people who are exposed to "turntable DJs" or studio wizards who sample and program may turn to recording and sampling gear as an outlet, rather than a traditional instrument. Do I need to learn guitar to achieve my sonic vision if I can plunk out a part one note at a time with a keyboard and let my MIDI controller do the rest?

So I do think there is a decline in interest in traditional instruments and attribute that to alternative ways to create music that didn't exist years ago.

IMO. YMMV.

I know this is very USA centric so I would be very interested in hearing which observations don't generalize across international borders.

As a counter to my observations, I only run into six or so people "aged" between 4th grade (when most instrumental programs start) and 12th grade on any kind of regular basis but the group includes a trombonist, a guitarist and a string bassist.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I think that there is less interest in playing instruments today.
The kids have so many other interests that taking the time to learn to play an instrument just doesn't fit their lifestyle.
Sure there are some kids that are playing and some that are very good.
There will always be interest in playing instruments by some of our youth.
I just think that the interest is lower than it was when I was young.

This could all change though if the kids find a new "Idle" that plays.

 

[SouthernSounds]

Great thread, Terry!

My case:

I received my first guitar (not a good one, that I still have), around my 10, nonetheless I never received classes and the primary school was absolutely unable to teach me something. In High School, things got better a little bit and I began to try to play, again. I don't have many memories of having a strong musical background at home and I never got involved with music, until I took the decision, around my 15, and Internet became available. This gave me access to a whole new world, which I'm still exploring and meeting new musicians, genres or instruments.

With the time, my nephews grew up and both got interested in guitar after spend some time with me and with the instrument. The older (he has 15 y.o.) has progressed a lot and now he has a band and play some metal-ish things. The youngest (10 y.o.), has taken some distance from the instrument but he has a great potential and can learn pretty fast.

Given all of this, I would say:

- Kids get involved with something when they see it, better said, when they feel a passion for something, in his enviroment. For example, one of my best friends it's a great reader. He's incredibly fast and with an awesome comprehension. And when you look his background, his mother, grandmother and father are all great readers. I think with music is similar.
- Age is important: while younger you start, easier the road.
- Having instruments close to you, to try, is another important thing.
- Have classes or someone who can guide you or give some you some hints, is important too.

Of course, these things doesn't guarantee anything, but I will try them, with my sons, no doubt about it.

Finally and after all, I don't think I can give a conclusive answer: my sample space is quite limited...

All the best,
B.

 

[idealassets]

The guitar remains virtually unplayed, except when I stop by for a visit and coincidentally clean it, tune it, strum a tune or two......

It was exactly that way when I was growing up (I can remember). But as time went on, suddenly some kids became very good athletes, artists, class president, etc, other than what many parents though they would be.

In my opinion a good motivation might have to come along, such as the Beatles when we were small. Just before that I despised music and can vividly recall having to sing "Sweet Betsy from Pike" (who crossed the wide prairie with her husband Ike..), and the mining song "Drill Ye Terriers Drill". So who would ever be motivated by that? But then one day in late 1963 (thanks to Ed Sullivan) all that changed in a big way.

Craig

 

[Los Angeles]

I think we have a decline in three things:

1) decline in instrument playing in favor of singing. You can thank American Idol and Glee for that. Interestingly enough, the quality in singing at a typical karaoke night at any bar has increased dramatically.

2) decline in rockstar envy. making music no longer means instant fame and fortune, and let's face it, that was always part of the allure of aspiring young musicians.

and finally

3) decline in music as a mode of rebellion/individual expression. it's just not that radical anymore. The loners that used to pick up a guitar and form a band have new resources for their angst: the play video games and rant on youtube. My nephew would be a natural rock star. Too bad he wasted a good 5 years on his X-box and insulting people on the web.

 

[hagmeat]

My nephew would be a natural rock star. Too bad he wasted a good 5 years on his X-box and insulting people on the web.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[adorshki]

My nephew would be a natural rock star. Too bad he wasted a good 5 years on his X-box and insulting people on the web.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

But it was probably great lyric writing practice.
Seriously though I have pet hypothesis and hope that the urge to make organic music will, like so many other things, experience a renaissance and become halo'd with a new cache and "coolness".
In about 10 yearr or so it's gonna be like "Anybody can do that" with any imaginable internet gadget/technology, but how many people are gonna be able to pull out their axe and flail? Especially acoustic axes?
Like in a park, in the spring sun, without any batteries or power cords or solar panels..while the girl you're trying to impress is only a few yards away...
Some things never change, do they?

 

[adorshki]

2) decline in rockstar envy.

Isn't there a game out there called "Rockstar" .
Do they still make it?
:lol:
In fairness, though, I think the real reason for the decline is that we simply passed the top of the bell curve of the baby boomer population at least 15 years ago?

 

[jmac]

Nothing has changed. Kids still play music, singers still get lots of attention, most kids don't follow through when introduced to music at an early age, old guys talk about how much things have changed

 

[tjmangum]

Nothing has changed. Kids still play music, singers still get lots of attention, most kids don't follow through when introduced to music at an early age, old guys talk about how much things have changed

How true! A lot of that still holds water, but I think the environment has changed a bit. IMHO the last 40 years, 1972 to present, has seen far more change in culture and attitudes than the previous 40 year cycle of 1932 -72. Entertainment has changed in many ways, family dynamics are different. Heck, when I was a kid people at least attempted to give their kids piano lessons and such. Don't think its near the priority today.
Terry

 

[adorshki]

....most kids don't follow through when introduced to music at an early age, old guys talk about how much things have changed

And the beat goes on..
8)
Yep. NOTHING has changed.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Nothing has changed. Kids still play music, singers still get lots of attention, most kids don't follow through when introduced to music at an early age, old guys talk about how much things have changed

How true! A lot of that still holds water, but I think the environment has changed a bit. IMHO the last 40 years, 1972 to present, has seen far more change in culture and attitudes than the previous 40 year cycle of 1932 -72. Entertainment has changed in many ways, family dynamics are different. Heck, when I was a kid people at least attempted to give their kids piano lessons and such. Don't think its near the priority today.
Terry

This is so true. In face, I saw something on the TV where people can't sell their used pianos and are taking them to the dumps, to get rid of them.
We are living in a very different social environment than we lived in 30 years ago.
I don't think it is for the better either.

 

[tjmangum]

Nothing has changed. Kids still play music, singers still get lots of attention, most kids don't follow through when introduced to music at an early age, old guys talk about how much things have changed

How true! A lot of that still holds water, but I think the environment has changed a bit. IMHO the last 40 years, 1972 to present, has seen far more change in culture and attitudes than the previous 40 year cycle of 1932 -72. Entertainment has changed in many ways, family dynamics are different. Heck, when I was a kid people at least attempted to give their kids piano lessons and such. Don't think its near the priority today.
Terry

This is so true. In face, I saw something on the TV where people can't sell their used pianos and are taking them to the dumps, to get rid of them.
We are living in a very different social environment than we lived in 30 years ago.
I don't think it is for the better either.

Here's the story from the New York Times that tells of the fate of many pianos today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/arts/ ... d=all&_r=0

 

[walrus]

Wow, that is really sad...

My youngest son plays piano, we had a "child's" piano (vintage) that I had to give away for free to get it out of the house. But the family who took it were very happy to get it, so that worked out well. I'm not sure I would have been able to actually throw it in the trash.

 

[Walter Broes]

If I wasn't a part-time guitar teacher, and I look at kids right now, I'd say "yes, interest in playing music is declining".

But the place I teach at has a waiting list for guitar students : demand is higher than their current teacher supply.

 

[Bikerdoc]

I'm finding that a lot more older fellas (30+) are starting to take up guitar. I got with one the other night. Only been playing a couple of weeks and I'm amazed, maybe a bit jealous. His talent is more than just obvious.
I've two grandsons, 8 and 11, who are into it. My grand daughter is playin' the Sax. That's all I have to go on when it comes to the question.

Peace