Why Is Music Important?
I think about that question a lot. That’s because I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of rock guitar. Indeed, I see kids learning lifelong transferable skills like goal-setting, self-discipline, and creative expression as they learn to play the guitar. When COVID-19 hit, I decided to broaden my perspective on the benefits of music education by interviewing a handful of the world’s most renowned guitarists, musicians, and music educators and asking them a set of simple questions like: “Why is music important?”
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About Angus Clark: Guitarist and Music Educator
Angus has been one of my favorite online music educators for years. In fact, my wife and I learned to play rock guitar together with his TrueFire courses, including Neoclassical Essentials, Focus On: British Metal, and Hard Rock Survival Guides. Personally, I was thrilled to discover his newest courses on rock soloing: Beyond Rock Pentatonics and Rock Pentatonic Alchemy. Based on the strength of his online guitar courses, the man was already a legend in my mind. It wasn’t until I began researching Angus more thoroughly that I realized the depth and breadth of his musical career.
For more information, go to:
- Angus Clark to learn more.
- TrueFire Courses to study guitar online with Angus.
- Transiberian Orchestra to watch Angus perform.
Angus Clark Plays Guitar
Indeed, Angus has been the lead guitarist for the Platinum-Selling and Grammy-Nominated Trans-Siberian Orchestra for the last 21 years. He’s also performed with Cher, Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple, Rainbow), Anna Phoebe (Jethro Tull), and Kitaro. In addition, Angus performed regularly with the Tony-nominated Broadway production of “Rock of Ages” and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “School of Rock.”
Click on the link below to watch Angus Clark’s performance from our interview.
How to Develop Your Own Voice on Guitar
According to Angus, every guitarist should start with the fundamentals. “My teachers early on were not overly focused on teaching me songs,” Angus says. “It was all about fundamentals.” At first, Angus learned how to read music, play in time, in tune, and with good hand synchronization. Angus says, “You start with the fundamentals. We can loosely describe those as chops. Recognize pitches, playing in time, and chords.” Beyond the fundamentals, there are musical influences. That’s where listening to lots of different music comes into play. And eventually, Angus says, collaborating with other musicians brings it all together.
Why is Music Important?
At first, music provides kids with a safe space. Their personal time with music provides solace. As a child’s talent develops, however, music becomes a social connector. “Music created this whole space for me to explore my feelings about things,” Angus says. “As it became something that I knew how to do. It became a lot about how I put myself out into the world.” That’s where the shift begins to happen for musicians. Talent attracts talent and a child’s personal relationship with music becomes a social connector.
Other Guests Answer the Same Question: Why is Music Important?
This interview is part of a music education advocacy series I’m hosting called “Why Is Music Important?” Over the past few months, I spoke with some of the world’s best guitarists and leading experts in music education to discuss the benefits of music education. If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to watch some of my other interviews, including:
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