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The important role of the guitar in the 21st Century
In the last decade music has been marginalized in the school curriculum and in most state funded schools pupils are not being given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Even where there are music schemes, pupils have no idea which instruments are available to them and what they can expect from each one.
Music should be central to all school curricula as it has the facility to bridge social and ability differences. It can play a vital role in re-introducing socially excluded pupils and integrating disabled children in a group situation. The long-term benefits for pupils who learn a musical instrument are now widely recognized, whether it is in raising their mental achievement or benefiting from teamwork by playing in a group.
I believe that the guitar is one of the best instruments to learn. Firstly, in the last fifty years the electric guitar has become the image of cool, it is therefore an excellent instrument to engage disaffected youth. It is also an inexpensive instrument to purchase initially. The guitar is also unparalleled for its versatility; it can play classical, flamenco, rock, pop, groove, blues R&B, hip-hop, folk and jazz with an equally fascinating range of instruments to accomplish this.
I also think that the time is right to re-assess the guitar as a serious musical instrument. The image of cool is a double-edged sword and has resulted in the guitar not being taken seriously compared to other more established classical instruments. It may not feature in a traditional orchestra but it is more versatile in the range of job opportunities it creates in other areas, from jazz gigs to session work and function engagements to teaching.
The guitar has real potential and students need to be shown that they can make a living as a guitarist without being a rock superstar.
