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It seems like technology is becoming a part of our children’s everyday life. First it was the TV, and then it was video games. Now, tablets and devices tug the attention strings of our youth in different directions. Some studies have shown that having the immediate satisfaction of any knowledge at our fingertips can have negative effects on our attention spans and long-term retention of facts. Why do you need to memorize something it if you can look it up whenever you desire?  Don’t get me wrong; I love being able to find almost any song on the Internet in a matter of minutes, but what does the future hold for the arts?

There is something to be said about putting your whole day, or weeks into a project. You learn something about yourself in the process. Self-control, how to pace yourself, even what it feels like to not succeed, but still feel good because you did your best. Do the activities of today satisfy those character traits?

Probably not, but music can be your solution!  Playing an instrument can unlock parts of the brain that may be overlooked by modern technology. There is a certain satisfaction in figuring out where to put you fingers and when to pluck a string to make all the right notes at the right time to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”  What about the feeling of accomplishment one receives after performing a musical concert? Music is a video game where you keep track of the score. Music is a team sport that works out your brain. Musical instruments date back 10,000 years into the past. When you choose how to spend your free time or how you entertain your children, I encourage you to choose music as a healthy alternative to technology.

Calling all students songwriters, musicians and singers!  We are looking for submissions to be showcased in our Cleveland County Artists feature:

email me at justin@cfmedia.info for more details.