Benefit of playing music with others

A huge part about being a musician is being able to play with others. Playing with others has so many benefits from improving your skills to creating a deeper appreciation of music. Having a jam with fellow musicians is good for the soul! Here are four reasons why you should start jamming with your musician pals or think of forming a band.

1. Skill Improvement

Playing with others massively helps develop your timing, rhythm, and listening skills. You learn to stay synced to your bandmates and learn to adapt your playing to complement theirs while also reacting to sudden changes. When there are other elements you are forced to listen to, your playing will also be forced to adjust and really hones in on your musical abilities.

I have seen so many of my students improve drastically after joining one of our band programs. Definitely recommend signing up to one of our band programs here at Eliette’s Music Academy or see if there are any opportunities to join a band at school!

2. Motivation

Making music with others is super motivating. When you have a group of people that have a shared goal of learning a song or setlist, it will push you to learn your parts. It is definitely more enjoyable when you are suffering learning new songs / concepts / techniques with friends. Having a group of people that have the same end goal will not only motivate you but also push your boundaries to strive to be better. You’ll be held accountable to learn your parts so don’t be that guy and come to rehearsals unprepared!

3. Connections

The first step in playing with other musicians is knowing other musicians. A great thing about being a musician is that you meet so many new people who share the same interests as you. It’s so rewarding to see the bands that I tutor during the term becoming such good friends. They of course start out a bit awkward, still in that getting to know each other phase. Then after a couple of terms, they become the best of friends playing music with each other.

I have had the pleasure of meeting so many like minded musicians and have made so many connections playing in different bands. 

4. Performing

There’s one thing playing with others, it’s a whole other thing performing with others. You will learn how to communicate on stage, help each other handle any nerves, and how to engage with an audience. All the jam sessions and rehearsals with your band are put to the test when you are all placed on stage. It is so much more fun when you experience performing with your friends. Way less scary than performing by yourself!

What are you waiting for? Go grab yourself some musical friends and start a band! If you are ever feeling stuck in your instrument, joining a band will definitely get you out of a rut. Check out any band opportunities at school. If you don’t have any musical friends, worry not! Here at Eliette’s we offer a weekly band program that runs during the term. The band rehearses every week and works toward a performance at the end of every term. We also offer band programs during the holidays!

Check out Fiachra, Moses and I having a jam from the other side of the world (Fiachra lives in Ireland now). Friendships through music are so powerful. Forming life long friendships that go the distance.

-Marcella Adisurya