Should Playing a Musical Instrument be Required For Students?

[stuti, 1st in command + creator]

hi so um we're trying to get the debates revived, so here is a debate question lol

i know that playing an instrument has been proven to be beneficial for students in all areas of life, but im not sure if it should be required in school. what do you think?

[River]

No, I don’t becasue I am friends with students in band ((by hwhoel friend group)) and yes it’s beneficial towards them but it takes up all their time, now for regular jay play during school soem of them just end up doig it or quoting halfway through, they also weren’t receiving physical activity because they were in band instead so that but oth from that too

So all in all no

[stuti, 1st in command + creator]

hmm, i understand that.

however in our school, we have one specific "period" dedicated to music (if you take it), so it doesn't reduce from any other school topic.

[River]

We do too but at that same time is ‘specials’ which is pe library art or care

[stuti, 1st in command + creator]

oh yeah then that makes sense, pe is usually more important than music.

[River]

Ya we do it on a rotation but the band teacher is mad cause one day every week they have to go to pe instead of band, and it’s hilarious cause they are so worn out and tired

[River]

Wait no they went to it before band but they were so tired by the time they got to band though

[stuti, 1st in command + creator]

oh dang that sucks. for us its electives, so you have to have pe but you can choose to do choir, band/orchestra, music, art, stem, or spanish.

[MarleyTheDragon, 2nd in command]

I would love to lean a musical instrument, I just don’t have a teacher being homeschooled an all.

[[deleted user]]

MarleyTheHobbit wrote: "I would love to lean a musical instrument, I just don’t have a teacher being homeschooled an all."

same! I wanna learn piano, but its expensive

[Anika (on hiatus)]

I think it’s important! Art and music are constantly getting cut to make room for STEM and sports programs, and while I think those are important, equally important is a space to be creative and express yourself through art and music. I think music lessons teach more than just how to play an instrument—I’ve picked up skills like being good under pressure, performing in front of others, resilience when I mess up, being meticulous about doing the best job I can and making good use of my (practice) time, how to not be tone deaf 😂 it’s valuable!

[Anika (on hiatus)]

Oh yeah, the recorder is rough lol

[[deleted user]]

No. Some people just don't enjoy playing an instrument, and some just can't so it. Like they never get the hand of it. So why should it be required? Art is also beneficial for people, but should that be required? Some people would rather do nothing than draw and some people just can't draw. Imagine having to play an instrument at school as a requirement, not Being able to do it whereas everyone else can, and feeling ashamed or embarrassed. Especially in secondary school, it can really put someone down. So my answer is no

[Anika (on hiatus)]

^^^^^ exactly!!
I hate math, but I’m still required to do it. Why? I’m not as good at it as my peers. It’s demoralizing for me. But I still have to do it—bc it’s a life skill that I need to have in order to be a successful and happy adult. You could argue that the arts also serve a vital role in self-expression and learning to create things that also serves you well into adulthood. A society that focuses only on academics and stem is a society that has missed out on a vital part of humanity. Many students aren’t academically gifted. Giving them the arts as an outlet is incredibly important—and often, in highschool, arts programs either don’t exist or are optional. It’s not like you’re being forced into this competitive activity that makes you feel like crap when you’re not as good, you usually have a choice in secondary school.

[Shawna]

I don't think it should be required. It should be encouraged given it's benefits, but not everyone has the ability to have a sense of rhythm. I know someone who can't even clap on a beat even though they've had tons of practice so they wouldn't be able to play an instrument

[Reagan]

I'm in band, and I love it, but I don't think it should be required.

[Percy]

I’m in band and I play flute, but with my friends all also being in band I can know play like 7 instruments at a grade 6 level. I eat higher on flute though since I only technically play flute. And I really don’t think it should be required. The bands kid group make you feel included. Even if your not friends with most of them in class, you can be friends in band. And since we used to not have a band teacher at school, we got bussed to a different school, and the rides were literally so much fun. Also it would suck to have my whole class there. I don’t like most of them. Because they are a little annoying. So having them there would just ruin the experience.

[✨Evi~Semi-hiatus]

No. I am in strings/orchestra seeing that some people like to do sports, reading, or other activities. As I can say, not all people like to go to band/orchestra.

[Storm The Tiny Hooman ~hiatus~]

I would say no. I am someone who has a breathing problem and a deformity in my wrist which is super painful when I do play an instrument.

[Storm The Tiny Hooman ~hiatus~]

Also shouldn't be singing considered an instrument? That's what I did for my instrument and ended up needing to drop out due to breathing.

[Storm The Tiny Hooman ~hiatus~]

I have a massive vocal range. But I had to drop out my chorus teacher was so rude. Almost ended up passing out.

[hannah •hiatus• jeffers]

i don't think it should be absolutely necessary, but i know that it benefits people in so many ways.

i know how to play piano, clarinet, sax, flute, etc. i also was in choir and it has helped me find my voice even after literally losing it after my lungs completely gave out on me.

am not an advocate of marching band unless you play drums.. then it's whatever.

[hannah •hiatus• jeffers]

Asher wrote: "I have a massive vocal range. But I had to drop out my chorus teacher was so rude. Almost ended up passing out."

i do too :) i didn't drop out for those reasons.. instead, i moved schools and the new school i went to was a private school that was so much bigger than the one i had been at before. i'm fairly shy and having to try out ended my experiences in band, choir, cheer, dance, and volleyball.

[❃A.J❃]

I don't think that it should be required.

[[deleted user]]

I think they should. Similarly to when students are required to learn a language, I think learning an instrument will benefit them in the future. Now it won't be something you use everyday (in terms of learning another language), but it will (maybe not the next day, but maybe some day, next year, when your older, etc.), it'd be useful to know you know how to play a specific instrument.