Learn a language or play an instrument?
I might as well post two questions at once than do two separate questions. Here they are:
Which is harder? Learning a new foreign language (Chinese, Spanish, Polish...) and being able to say a short speech, or learning how to play a new instrument and play a few scales memorized.
Which is more beneficial? Learning a new foreign language (Chinese, Spanish, Polish...) and being able to say a short speech, or learning how to play a new instrument and play a few scales memorized.
I just ask so that I know which helps me more in life. I play a clarinet and plan to play the bassoon or accordion.
For those who corrected my mistake of categories, thank you. I failed to notice that earlier.
8 Answers
1. Which is harder? Learning a new foreign language (Chinese, Spanish, Polish...) and being able to say a short speech, or learning how to play a new instrument and play a few scales memorized. 2. Which is more beneficial? Learning a new foreign language (Chinese, Spanish, Polish...) and being able to say a short speech, or learning how to play a new instrument and play a few scales memorized.
Which is harder? Neither because in my books, music IS a language. It's a universal language with some dialect differences here and there. Music has no exceptions because its basis is mathematical. If you're weak in math, music will help you strengthen it. Chinese, Russian, and English are the hardest languages on the planet; Cantonese Chinese being the most difficult of the Chinese dialects. I've heard that it has several tones and if you say one word in the different tones, you are actually saying several different words. Russian is not as hard as English because it doesn't have all the exceptions that English does. I don't speak Russian fluently, but studying the grammar structure intently will give you a step ahead.
Both music and languages are beneficial. Music speaks a language that everybody knows, just peek at how music is used in commercials and other outlets that promote viewing. Music carries a strong message, even without the words.
Music and languages are very similar in that both require time and both have patterns. Once you recognize the pattern, you're on your way to learning quicker. Music can be attained in just 1/2 - 1 hour of practice a day, AFTER you have the foundational skills of scales, triads, arpeggios, and "studies" (small pieces of music that test your skill).
I could go on and on, but I think this suffices as an overview.
Music is a universal language but ..... it is not useful if you want to ask for a beer or know where the neerest loo is.
I depends if you have a sense of music, or not. If, like me, you're tone deaf, it would be nearly impossible to learn to play a tune. But I can understand the words of songs!
This is a very personal question that really depends on your situation.
Learning a new instrument can be difficult. You may want to hire a teacher to give you a few lessons, which would involve the cost of travel, lessons, time, etc.
On the other hand, language learning has its own challenges. What kind of short speech would you like to give? Is that really the equivalent to a few memorized scales?
As to which would help you more in life, I say: why not try them both?
As a musician, you may get quite a few chances to travel, so learning other languages will come in handy.
Since you play the clarinet, consider doubling on other woodwind instruments (such as bassoon), which would increase your future performance prospects. If you'd like to learn a chordal instrument like piano or guitar (or even accordion), these would be good choices if you are recording and would like to be your own accompanist.
Both language and music study will help you in life.
I don't know about harder, but I would say (and this is just my opinion) that learning a language is probably more useful.
Playing an instrument is pretty grueling, but for me I think learning a language has been much harder.
As far as utility goes, I think learning a language would be a better investment in time.
Here is my opinion about what I think is more useful. You may disagree. I play an instrument to express music and possibly travel to other places to play it. Instruments are good for the brain since they help you exercise your mind. I wish to learn another language so that I can communicate with others. I believe that both are enjoyable, but Spanish will help you more in life unless you are a musician professional going to France or another country that doesn't have many Spanish-speaking people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!
I think it depends on what language you're learning. Spanish and English are quite simple compared to other languages like German or Chinese. So I think that playing an instrument gives more satisfaction because you can put your soul into it.
