How to Use Music Lessons to Grow in Poise and Other Skills for Public Speaking (E61)
How to Use Music Lessons to Teach Poise and Other Skills Important for Public Speaking
Music lessons are often associated with learning to play an instrument or sing, but they offer much more than that. Private and group music lessons can also help students build important skills like poise, confidence, and effective communication—skills that are crucial for public speaking. I’m Gena Mayo, a homeschool mom of eight, music teacher, and professional vocalist, and I’m here to share how music can help your children grow in these areas.
My Background in Performing Music
I’ve loved music since I was a child, and as I grew older, I pursued my passion for singing through formal education, earning a music education degree in voice from Baylor University and later a master’s in vocal pedagogy. Over the years, I’ve taught everything from public school choirs to private voice lessons, homeschool music classes, and online music courses for homeschoolers.
But despite my extensive experience, I recently found myself on stage, trembling and nervous, preparing to perform a song in front of an audience of my students and their families. In that moment, I realized that, even after years of performing, I had lost the poise I once had. And it got me thinking—how can music lessons teach poise and other public speaking skills?
The Power of Poise in Performance
Poise is the calm, graceful confidence we project when we are under pressure. In my case, I was preparing to sing a fun song from the musical Guys and Dolls, but the butterflies in my stomach made it hard to focus. What made this performance different was that I hadn’t performed in front of an audience in a long time. In the past, I had sung regularly in front of others, so I knew how to handle nerves. But this experience reminded me of the gap between practicing alone or with a teacher and actually performing for an audience.
How Music Lessons Can Help
This is where music lessons can play a pivotal role.
The more you perform, the more you learn :
- how to manage nerves
- focus your mind
- project confidence.
I practiced techniques like deep breathing, prayer, and positive visualization to calm myself before going on stage. These are the same techniques public speakers use to present themselves with poise.
Public Speaking Skills Through Music Lessons
Public speaking is a vital skill for all children to develop, and music lessons can help them do just that. When we started attending a local public speaking group years ago, my kids learned how to write and deliver speeches, whether it was a poem, a persuasive argument, or a humorous story. They also learned to receive and give constructive feedback. Most importantly, they gained confidence in performing in front of others. Through regular practice and performing in front of a live audience, they began to develop poise.
Key Skills of Public Speaking
Public speaking involves several key skills:
- clear enunciation
- proper volume
- pacing
- making eye contact
- confident posture.
These skills translate directly into music lessons. When a student learns to perform a piece of music, they are not just memorizing notes; they are practicing how to express themselves with feeling and clarity. Music requires poise—balancing nervous energy with calm control, pacing the performance, and adjusting dynamics to hold the audience’s attention.
The same poise learned through music can help a student stand tall and present themselves confidently in front of a group.
How Music Lessons Teach Poise
Music and public speaking share many similarities. Both involve learning new concepts, practicing and memorizing, and then performing in front of others. When a student practices an instrument or vocal technique, they face challenges—new rhythms, different keys, and more complex fingerings or vocal patterns. As they overcome these obstacles, they develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
This same stick-to-itiveness is necessary for mastering public speaking.
Just like a speech must be carefully rehearsed and performed with expression, music must be played with feeling. The ability to vary dynamics, change tempos, and project emotion through music is similar to the way a public speaker uses pauses, voice modulation, and gestures to emphasize key points. The connection between music and rhetoric (the art of effective speech) helps transform simple facts into engaging stories that captivate the audience.
Practical Tips for Developing Poise: Set Up Performance Opportunities
If you want to help your child develop poise through music, it’s essential to create opportunities for them to perform in front of others. Start by setting up monthly recitals with their music teacher or organizing performances in your homeschool co-op or local library. When students perform regularly, they become accustomed to the nerves that come with being in front of an audience, and over time, they build the confidence to handle those nerves.
Look for other opportunities as well. Is there a community choir, band, or theater group they can join? Auditions for plays or musicals provide valuable practice in performing under pressure, helping students gain poise and self-assurance.
Practice Relaxation Techniques, Too
Additionally, consider teaching your child techniques like deep breathing or exploring practices such as yoga or Pilates. These methods help students relax and gain better control over their body and mind, leading to more poised performances.
The Benefits of Poise Beyond Music
Even if your child doesn’t become a musician, the skills learned through music and performance will benefit them in countless other areas. They will be better equipped to present ideas, handle criticism, and engage with others confidently—skills that are valuable in any career. Whether they go on to become an engineer, a teacher, or a salesperson, the poise they develop through music will serve them well throughout their lives.
Conclusion of How to Use Music Lessons to Grow in Poise
In conclusion, music lessons aren’t just about learning to play an instrument or sing—they are about growing as a person. Through music, students develop poise, confidence, and public speaking skills that will help them succeed in all areas of life. So, if you’re looking for ways to help your child become more confident and poised, consider adding more performance opportunities to their music education.
With practice and perseverance, they’ll be ready to take on any challenge, on stage or off!
Some Music in Our Homeschool Courses That Will Help You Perform
Bass Guitar Time with Caleb
Bass Guitar Time with Caleb is perfect for beginners who are ages 10 and up. Caleb guides you through tuning, technique, and learning some riffs and songs to play.
235 students enrolled
See the YouTube Video “Music Education Teaches Crucial Skills For Effective Public Speaking”
Listen to Podcast Episode 61:
Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Read the Podcast Transcript here.
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- 10 Reasons Why Your Homeschooler Will Love Learning to Play the Bass Guitar (E35)
