How To Build Connections Through the Social Benefits of Music
What comes to mind when you hear the word "music"? Is it dancing, the notes, the beats, or the surge of endorphins every melody brings? Music is all of this and more. It's more than just entertainment — it's the medium through which social connections develop, cultural understanding grows, and communities come together.
It's the only language we all understand, the most powerful social magnet, and the not-so-secret sauce that adds flavor to the human experience.
Here, we explore how music brings people together and offer some tips to help you build stronger social bonds through the universal language of music.
What are the social benefits of learning and playing music?
You've probably heard or read a lot about the benefits of music on an individual level. It helps with self-expression and self-discovery, improves physical and mental health, and promotes overall well-being by boosting endorphin, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin levels.
But how much do you know about the effects of music beyond the self? Let’s take a look at the social benefits of music education and playing.
Communication and social skills
There's a strong relationship between music and communication. It improves verbal and non-verbal communication by activating various parts of the brain, including those responsible for body language, vocabulary expansion, and sentence building.
Further, there is clear evidence that music can help reduce stuttering, allowing people with speech impediments to communicate effectively and express themselves.
Music is also a valuable tool for people who are non-verbal, as it acts as a creative outlet and allows them to express their feelings. Many undergo music therapy, where they communicate through sound and instruments.
If you want to improve your communication and social skills, consider taking group music lessons or participating in collaborative performances. You get to express yourself and learn how to communicate with others, as well as read social cues.
Teamwork and collaboration
If you've ever seen a live band, sports team, or professional kitchen, you already know how crucial it is for players to work together. A group of people working together to create something greater than themselves is the only way to deliver a successful performance.
While some people naturally click, many bond over and learn to work together through music, as it's a universal language everyone feels connected to. Music activities like playing in bands or ensembles teach cooperation and teamwork, skills that can help you in your everyday life.
To acquire these skills, consider joining music workshops, local music groups, or even 1:1 music lessons. Trala is an exceptional music-learning platform, thanks to its unique methods and approach to learning.
Cultural bridge
Music is an incredible way to break down cultural or language barriers. You can tell as much by assessing most people's music libraries (many listen to artists and compositions from different backgrounds) or by reading Trala's student stories. Diverse cultures come together with common goals — to listen to and learn music, as well as spread its joys.
Music is the perfect avenue if you're interested in understanding other people's cultures. Take advantage of the strong connection between music and community to build a new one around yourself.
Explore songs and instruments from cultures other than your own, attend global musical performances, and discover the types of music people outside your circle listen to. This way, you'll have exciting things to bond over with new people.
Emotional development
Playing and learning music promotes emotional development, boosting self-esteem and social interactions.
In fact, research into the impact of music on adolescents has found that it promotes the development of empathy, self-esteem, and a pro-social attitude. Adults benefit too — music is a means to express oneself and understand and interact with others.
To enhance your emotional development, continuously look for avenues to listen to, play, or learn about music. You can participate in open mic nights, create playlists of your favorite songs and share them, or share your own recordings.
Socialization opportunities
Tired of feeling isolated? Again, music is the answer. There are numerous social music activities for adults and kids that can help you and your family connect and interact with other music lovers.
Keep an eye out for music classes or events like free live concerts in your community, and get yourself out there. The beauty of these events is that you don't have to worry about what to talk about with other attendees — you can break the ice by discussing your shared love of music.
Practical ways to enhance social connections through music
Ready to take on music as a lifestyle and enhance your social connections? Here are some ways to do so.
Host music-themed events with friends
What better way to build or enhance friendships than over music? Host music-themed parties or listening sessions to create shared experiences with your friends.
To enhance your connections even further, ask your immediate friends to invite their friends to the events. This way, you can meet and interact with new faces and enjoy more diverse musical tastes.
There are numerous music-themed ideas you can use as inspiration. You can host a costume party where each attendee dresses up as their favorite artist or an album release party for your favorite performers. Decade or genre-specific parties where you listen to some of the best performances of specific years or genres are always a hit as well.
Your creativity is your only limitation. Use your events to introduce friends to new music, revive nostalgic classics, and create new shared experiences.
For your event to be successful, consider your friends' musical tastes. Try to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences during each party to keep attendees entertained and interested in future events. Also, decorate your venue, preferably with music decorations like posters, notes, and even instruments as centerpieces.
To add excitement to each event, schedule some music-related activities like karaoke sessions, dance-offs, or live performances.
Find music-related volunteer opportunities
Looking for opportunities to meet new people? Find music-related volunteer opportunities near you. They could be anything from teaching community music programs to ticketing local music festivals and concerts.
These volunteer opportunities present dual benefits. They are great avenues to bond with people who share the same musical interests and contribute positively to your local community.
To find volunteer opportunities, talk to your friends, neighbors, colleagues, or acquaintances with a passion for music. Chances are, they'll know of some great places you can volunteer.
Alternatively, you can search online or visit local schools, community centers, and music-based charities. These institutions are always looking for some help, so it's more than likely you'll find an opportunity to volunteer.
Create a jam band
Jam bands provide a unique opportunity to express yourself in a collaborative, non-judgemental environment. So, if you're eager to show off your musical skills while making and enriching new friendships, this is the path to go.
Look for bandmates among your current friendships, local community centers, or online platforms. You never know — your lifelong musical partners could be right in front of you, waiting for you to ask.
For a rich jamming experience, look for partners with diverse musical tastes and skills. For example, if you like pop, you could look for bandmates who enjoy country, rap, and classical music for a rich blend of tastes that regularly exposes you to new music.
When you find the right people, create a supportive and open environment where all members feel valued and free to experiment and express their musical ideas. Encourage creativity, consider every person's opinion, and be kind when offering feedback. This is the only way to create long-lasting bonds.
Participate in a music class or lessons
If you're just starting your musical journey or want to improve your skills, consider enrolling in music lessons. Music classes offer numerous benefits. They help you improve your skills while presenting opportunities to make new friends, collaborate on musical projects, and form bands.
Consider your musical interests, goals, and skill level when choosing a music class or instructor. Ideally, the class should align with your preferences and cater to your needs for an enriching experience.
Trala is a top choice for many music enthusiasts, with professional instructors who can cater to a wide range of musical interests, goals, and skills. Whether you prefer classical music or more upbeat tunes, want to improve your skills or perfect them, are a beginner or experienced musician, there's an instructor for you.
When you start lessons, take advantage of opportunities to interact or work with other students. For example, you could attend group lessons or participate in recitals and group performances.
How Trala can help you meet more music-minded people
Trala is more than just a music-learning platform — it's a community that enables you to meet and interact with people who, like you, have a passion for music. You’ll have access to world-class teachers like Maria Pino, who started off as a Trala student, and thousands of other learners who can become a part of your musical journey.
As a student, you have access to many resources and opportunities to play in recitals with fellow learners via livestream. You can also join the Trala community on Discord and connect with other students, share progress, and support each other's musical journeys.
Try Trala as a tool for music and social connection
The power of music is undeniable in every aspect of the human experience. Music can allow self-expression, promote social development, and offer numerous opportunities for social cohesion. If you're looking for a hobby that can enrich every facet of your being, enroll in music lessons from a reputable school or online solution like Trala.
Start with Trala today and experience the social benefits of music firsthand.
