There are many reasons why someone takes up a musical instrument. The most common theme is that they are introduced at school or parents encouraged them to join a class. For others who are not exposed to musical instruments, it is a big mental barrier. Irrespective your cultural background, age or gender you should consider playing a musical instrument – and better if it is an indian flute! Here are the reasons:
- Playing music instrument enhances your creativity:According to the current neuroscience observations, neural networks can be established at our brain at any age. The brain does not differentiate between musical creativity or a path breaking technological innovation. You have to allow your brain to wander by suppressing the pre-frontal cortex region. You have to put back into action when it is needed to focus. What else could be an effective way to accomplish this? You would have seen Jazz or Indian musicians improvising freely (suppressing their prefrontal cortex) and go back to the written score.
- Flute music is used for meditation: Flute is an ideal instrument for practising “mindful meditation”. Right from the day1, you can start observing the soothing sound of the bamboo, You can focus how your blowing transforms into a musical note. You can vary the position of the embouchure , mouth aperture and see the effect on the sound. You can witness the magic of music just by closing and opening holes in hollow bamboo tube!
- Playing flute improves your breathing: One of the key yoga practice is “pranayama” – controlling your breathing. Playing flute automatically enhances your lung capacity and teaches you to hold breathing. You can observe that when you are tensed, the breathing is shallow and fast. The reverse is true when you are calm. So, you cannot be tensed or anxious when playing flute. Your breathing will ensure that you are relaxed!
- Easy to take up at any age: If one wants to master violin they have to start practising from the age of 5. Even seasoned musicians need to put hours of practice. Otherwise the mistakes can be noticeable. While it is true that to become a flute maestro the same rigour is needed, any one with little practice can play decent music with flute. The indian open hole flute is the simplest melodic instrument, next to human voice.
- Easy to carry: Do not underestimate this convenience. You can carry your flute in your cabin baggage if you are travelling. You can take it with you during your conferences, family picnics, overseas trips.
- Environmentally friendly: Flute is made out of bamboo which is renewable source. The flute is made with minimal carbon footprint. No cutting of trees, melting brass or complex preparation of hides. Hollow bamboo with holes! That’s it!
- Cheapest instrument: It is the cheapest musical instrument on the planet. The practice flute prices vary from $10 to $100. If you are careful in selecting, you can even get concert quality flute within that range. Compare that with the price of western concert flute – the median price will be around $5000. There are good reasons why those flutes are expensive. The point is for taking up a music instrument for your satisfaction, innovation, meditation you do not need to spend a fortune.
Sunadham 