Are you trying to rediscover your love for music? Did you study music in the past or your childhood but didn’t pursue it any further? If you want to continue studying now then you must have an idea of the differences in how music is taught today compared to how it was taught before say maybe about 30 to 40 years ago. 

Of course, when it comes to music, the fundamentals are the same. But the tools and applications right now are a bit different. So let’s explore the difference in music education in the past and the present so you’d know how to adapt. 

Music as Taught in The Past 

Of course, a lot has changed when it comes to how music is taught today due to the advancements in technology. Musical instruments are directly affected by this as well as the tools utilized for teaching lessons. A lot of musical genres have also been innovated by popular artists that have since affected how music is played, learned, and performed. Comes with that is how different people’s opinion on how music should be taught in the process.

So, how was music taught around 40 years ago? 

Well, it turns out that it’s still pretty much the same only where it isn’t. Let us explain. 

The 70s was the time where music was integrated into a lot of the school’s curriculum to pave the way for a newer era of education in music. It’s also important to take note that this was due to the loss of support for music as a part of progressive education way back in the 50s. 

During this time primary, secondary, and even college curriculum had a place for music and the fundamentals were taught. It then turned out that the fundamentals of teaching music even up until today are quite still the same. 

We’re talking about learning to read notation for you to recite compositions. The orchestra, marching band, jazz band, and chorus still exist today as a means to get music lessons, thus the similarities in modern day music education. 

So, what about the stereotypical strict classical music teachers we see portrayed in the media? Well, not even that is different from the teachers nowadays, only probably the level of strictness a teacher applies on their students would depend on what the student is trying to achieve which should be rightfully so.

If you’re trying to get into The Juilliard School then naturally you should want a strict and serious teacher for you to stand a chance of getting admitted. But maybe if it’s just for a school activity or a hobby, even nowadays the teacher wouldn’t hit your hands with a stick if you hit the wrong notes. 

So, what changed? Well, the obvious.

Music as Taught Nowadays

Art is basically about building culture and counterculture. That’s what happens with music too. And that cycle will and always will change music thus changing how it’s viewed and taught. 

The biggest thing that has changed in the past couple of decades when it comes to music education are the methods by which one may take music lessons. And the reason behind it is no other than what we call the INTERNET.

Nowadays, you may take lessons from someone halfway around the world. The gap is bridged and you may learn music anytime and anywhere plus you may say that it’s even more affordable and accessible to anyone.

Aside from online music lessons, you can even enroll in a music course and take lessons from a pre-recorded video from your instructor. These processes on how to acquire musical knowledge would surely shock music teachers from the 50s or the 70s for they probably couldn’t fathom that teaching music from a different place is even possible. 

Today, nothing is impossible due to technology. Not only has that, but music teachers today also incorporate pop culture into their curriculum. They recognize the need for integrating popular music into their lessons so the students can further relate to it and enjoy it more. 

What else is new today? Classical music teachers would probably comment on the lack of proper musical lessons today due to the rise of what we call Oido musicians. A lot of popular bands and artists are self-taught that has led to an entire movement in music almost like a revolution. 

Today, someone can just go to YouTube and learn the songs they love right away. You don’t need to pay for any of this.

So, if you’re someone who wants to learn music today, what changes is that it’s a lot easier to access and the only thing that’s going to hold you back is your resourcefulness. 

You can still learn in person, that will never stop but today, you won’t have any reason to say that you can’t study music because you just don’t have the time nor the place to do so. 

Instruments today are more affordable and you can learn music at your own time, pace, and right in your bedroom.

So going back to our statement about what changed earlier, it turns out that it’s still pretty much the same only where it isn’t.

With all these revolutionary changes when it comes to teaching music, it’s still safe to say that if you’re passionate about it then you’d still find ways to learn the craft no matter how it’s taught. 

And as they say, it ain’t too late to learn a craft or two no matter your age. So go ahead and grab that guitar or sit at that piano and learn the basics once again. For a life of music is a rewarding life and no matter where it takes you, it’s sure to be a fun-filled journey.