Music

Everyone learns about music at school, but there are great advantages to doing it as an activity too!

Whether you’re listening, creating or in a music group or band, music is a great activity that helps young people stay healthy and happy.

Benefits of music:

Playing or listening to music can come with many benefits.  

Did you know that playing an instrument:

• Regulates mood
• Increases listening skills
• Boosts concentration

Did you know that listening to music:

• Relieves anxiety
• Puts you in a good mood
• Improves your sleep

There are many ways for young people in Oxfordshire to access music for cheap and sometimes even for free!

Take action: Visit Activities Oxfordshire to find more places to do music in Oxfordshire!

But what if:

• I can’t get lessons! There are lots of music lessons on offer! You can contact the Oxfordshire Music Service, ask at your place of learning, or find music lessons online.
• I can't afford lessons! Ask your friends if they know someone who can do free or cheap lessons, get a book from the library, or use YouTube videos.
• I can’t sing! Many types of music don’t even require you to have a perfect angel-like voice! There are more instruments you can play other than your voice, so keep your options open.
• I have no one to play with! There are groups of musicians everywhere! You can find some here on the Oxfordshire Music Service.
• I’m not good enough! Out of all these points this one is probably the most invalid. Even the best musicians are still learning new possibilities about their instrument decades later!
• I don't have the money for an instrument! Ask friends and family as they may have an instrument they don't use.  You can also rent/borrow an instrument to start with - this will give you an idea if you want to carry on playing it.

Even if you think you're not musical you can get big benefits from experiencing and learning music.

Take action: You can gets lots more information and support from the Oxfordshire Music Service!

Experiencing music

There are many genres of music to pick from ranging from classical to heavy metal. 

All around Oxfordshire there are different music festivals that happen like Truck Festival, which normally has indie rock genre bands playing. These are mostly in the summer to make the most of the weather! 

There are many different streaming services online, including ones which are cheap and free. There are lots of places you can get CD's from like the Oxfordshire Music Library.

Lots of gigs and festivals are open to young people aged 14+ even if they are in pubs so you can experience live music from an early age. Festivals can be an intense experience so always consider Festival Safety.

Experience: I am in a 3-piece rock band consisting of me (the drummer) and my two friends, both of which play guitar and bass guitar. It's fun to get together for a jam and to create new songs or play existing songs. It is mostly in the summer where we will do performances at local summer festivals etc. It is very fun doing these performances and is a good experience! I defiantly recommend getting some friends together to start a band, you won't regret it! James, 14.