Here’s How To Get The Next Gen Interested In Music & Instruments

There’s been some talks about why the next generation isn’t interested in music, but not much talk about how we can get more young people to like music.

As a millennial who always loved music class but felt alone through my school years, and who also has a GenZ little sister who loves music but doesn’t care to play instruments, I wanted to share some insight and suggestions on what can be done

What led me to writing this article was a video I saw a couple weeks ago by Rick Beato on why Gen Z doesn’t care about music. The basis of his argument is that they’re all into gaming. They want to be like their influencers who are also gamers (ie. Mr. Beast, PewDiePie, SSSniperwolf, and countless streamers) and thus they aren’t paying attention to music. I certainly think there are a lot of holes in his argument.

I understand what he’s getting at. Gaming is certainly really big right now and it’s definitely a niche where one can get a lot of money as a content creator, streamer, and competitor, but…not all Gen Zers are obsessed with games or gamers.

He also makes the point that gamers aren’t listening or paying attention to music, but I think the next gens have more access to music than people before them. They don’t have to buy CDs and Cassettes, nor wait for their favourite songs on MTV or the radio. They have easy access with free services like Youtube, Spotify, and countless apps.

Even if they are a gamer, many composers and producers are highly influenced by the music in these games. Most of which are created by the Japanese, so if you’re into that, definitely check out my Japanese Music Resources page on my channel. I’m big on Jmusic and their theory.

Why Aren’t There Many New Musicians?

So, as for why I think the next gen isn’t interested in playing instruments is for these few basic reasons:

1. Most Music These Days Are Electronically Made

Let’s put the obvious first. In the past, music pretty much required real instruments and real musicians to be made. Orchestras in the 1700s, Rock bands in the 1900s, etc. But as of the 90s, we started to see more pop styles which could be made with computers.

Music can be made way easier since it may only require 1 producer and thus it can easily overwhelm the market. Pop, Hip Hop, Dance, Lo-Fi, all electronically made. People only care about the singers or rappers because there’s no one else on stage.

2. Musicians Aren’t Featured Or Praised Like They Used To Be

While I wasn’t really influenced by a Guitar God or anything, the majority of people were. They’ll say they heard BB King’s riffs, or Gary Moore’s blues, or Eric Johnson’s Songs and they wanted to play like them. They would listen to their tracks by the stereo and try to copy them. They had someone to look up to, someone who was cool and famous, and someone they wanted to emulate. Back then, a musician was usually someone who sang, played, and created their own songs.

Today, in a pop-centric society, young people don’t have musicians to look up to or inspire them. All the famous ‘musicians’ are singers, rappers, or producers. Thus, they’ll find songs they love and wonder how they can sing or create the same thing, thus, more singers, rappers, or producers. While there may be musicians backing an artist in a live act, as we saw with BlackPink at Coachella or Selena when she sang with The Scene, the musicians really got no attention or praise.

Many young people crave attention and popularity, especially in this day and age where TikTok is the most viewed site and influencer is a real career path. Naturally, they are going to gravitate towards whatever will make them popular or trend.

3. Lack Of Music Classes & Access To Instruments

A while ago, I was curious why so many guitarists were so against music theory, but then it hit me: They probably never learned it in school. When I did a poll, a good 50% never had the chance to take music in school, and a good 25% only learned to sing or play buttons instead of reading or understanding theory. I continued to do more research, and some schools only focus on STEM courses.

During the pandemic and possibly now as well, music classes were cancelled since they couldn’t physically come in to use the instruments, and they definitely couldn’t be shared due to hygiene. Even singing was more likely discouraged due to germs and masks.

Regardless, there are many students who are dying to play and learn and grow, but they can’t. When they later become an adult, they are less likely to buy an instrument of their own since they cost a lot, and lessons are another expense. It’s a lot harder to stick to a hobby and commit to learning when you have many other important things to do.

I recently saw a video featuring the “Couch Drummer”. A young lady who couldn’t afford a kit but used objects around her house and continued to practice. I really admire her dedication to learning and for putting herself out there.

However, there are many instruments you can’t practice or learn without it. You can visualize or learn the fingering, but that will only take you so far. You can’t practice your your blowing technique or bow strokes or tone or speed or anything without the instrument in your hand.

So What Can Be Done To Help?

Well first off, even if you did everything, many students won’t be interested in music. Finding serious and dedicated musicians are a dime a dozen. Regardless, it’s still important we give those who are interested the access, opportunities, and lessons where they can try instruments and grow. Here’s 7 things I think adults, teachers, and parents can do to encourage young people:

1. Make Music & Instruments More Accessible

Let’s put the obvious tip first. We need to make music more accessible to those who may be interested. While I may have had the priviledge to play actual instruments when I was young, that’s not the case for more than 50% of students. There are so many benefits to music, especially for kids growing up. And there’s no better time to start learning an instrument when you’re young, you’re mind can pick up things and you have that spare time.

This goes for anything really. If you look at the Olympics, you can see the discrepancy between those who had access to certain sports vs those who don’t. Black people, for example, may dominate track and field and basketball, but those are sports they could practice anytime anywhere, even if they were poor.

You won’t see many black people in sports like diving, gymnastics, martial arts, or hockey, cause those required access to special facilities and specialized lessons. There’s many black singers but few black musicians for the exact same reason. Unless the field is evened, many people will be disproportionally effected.

2. For Teachers, Be Open To More Genres

Now, for schools that do have music classes and programs, while I personally love and see the value in classical music, we have to accept that the majority of students don’t care for that genre. They may like playing viola or clarinet, but they aren’t as motivated to play because the music you’re learning in class doesn’t suit their tastes.

If we really want to interest kids in music and keep them playing long term, we need to take away that mentality that certain instruments only suit certain genres. You can include guitar in rap music, or piano in house music, or violin in R&B music.

Ask your class what they’re listening to, and what songs or solos they would like to learn and spend a few days or weeks catering to their interests. The school band below is playing a song from the hit anime Attack on Titan, a show that only came out in the last decade, but works out really well for a brass band.

3. Encourage Their Musical Dreams

I don’t think there’s a single musician who was not told that ‘music is a waste of time and you won’t make money from it. Pursue something more stable and do that on the side”. Even if adults mean the best for them, they need to realize that times have changed! You don’t need a label anymore and there are many careers and ways to make money, especially online.

Your words have a lot of influence. It’s already hard for a young person to motivate themselves to practice and train if they don’t have a teacher or friends who share their interests, but if they hear enough from adults that they’re wasting their time, they may actually give up. They could have been the next Jimi Hendrix or Taylor Swift or Eddie Van Halen, but now we’ll never know.

School of Rock is always a fun movie to watch. The kids had a great music foundation due to their music class, but they were forced by their teachers and parents to only play classical/orchestral music. We can see how excited they are to try different instruments and styles and to get involved in this band project.

While their teacher had selfish reasons for creating the band, he was very encouraging of their dreams and talents. You can see how happy and eager they are to participate. During their performance, the parents were mad and wanted to stop them from going on stage, but they were surprised and amazed by their kids and was proud of them. If this was real, one or more of those kids could have gone on to do big things, things that wouldn’t have been possible on their current paths.

4. Stop Labelling Musicians As “Losers” & “Nerds”

One thing that never made sense to me, is the fact that many people love music, but they will call young musicians “Band Nerds”, often putting them in the lower ranks at school. While the adults may not be saying this, the movies they are creating keep perpetuating these stereotypes and mentalities.

Many young people care about their image and popularity, and they will change themselves to be cooler. If they are interested in music and instruments, but are constantly told and shown that ‘playing the Tuba will make them unattractive’ or that ‘only weird kids join band’, of course they will stay away from that.

I love looking at Japan because they not only have the 2nd biggest music industry, but they have many many bands (all-female rock bands too) and a very active music scene. Music and playing instruments are cool, and making music is cool! Apparently, music class is taken just as seriously as other classes and it shows by their diligence.

For some of their big school bands, the students will practice 40 hours a week on top of school. Because many live in apartments or townhouses with thin walls, school is the only place where they can practice such instruments. I also read that brass band is considered a female thing, which also helps with it’s school status (It can’t be uncool if girls dig it!). These bands win many world competitions and are invited as guests to perform. The locals also speak highly of them, so it’s something to take great pride in.

5. Have More Extra Curriculars & Talent Shows

The thing about the arts is that, the only opportunity you have to showcase your skills and get feedback is when you get to perform. Sometimes the shy or awkward kid would take the stage and it’s a chance to be recognized by their classmates. No one knew about their secret talent until now, and that kid could now hold their head a little higher.

I’m very thankful that my schools not only embraced the arts, but that there were quite a few assemblies a year (spirit week, talent show, black history, multicultural), where students can sign up and perform. Some will do dances, some will sing, some will play an instrument, or act, or do whatever. I was in choir, drumline, and cheerleading, and these were something we worked towards. Even the teacher’s jazz band would regularly perform.

6. Allow Students To Create & Express Themselves

While many guitarists don’t have much music theory knowledge, they’re the first to put down classical musicians because ‘all they can do is read and play, they lack that creative charm’. It’s not their fault though. If you knew much about classically trained musicians, they were forced to stick to the sheets and not deviate.

Piano teachers and conductors are super strict and they have to be if they want to do well in competitions….but most students aren’t interested in playing in an orchestra or competing. One should definitely still teach them theory and the foundations of music, but one should also push and encourage creativity. Don’t be like art teachers who put down anime art as it’s not realistic or proportionate. It’s called ‘art’ for a reason.

I like referring to Lindsey Stirling. She competed on America’s Got Talent, Playing pop and dubstep music on her violin while dancing. She didn’t win and she took their advice to heart, but she didn’t give up on her vision. Since then, she’s gone on to create many original tracks and even collaborated with other artists and musicians.

She’s definitely not one of the best violinists in the world, and she admits that herself, but she stands out because she’s unique and creative. She’s been a big influence to many musicians who wanted to play other genres and dancing while playing has certainly gotten more popular since.

7. For Parents, Join Them!

There are many adults who want to learn to play an instrument, yet, they refuse to just try and start. They’ll put their kids in all these lessons and expect them to practice diligently, but they can’t relate to their kids or understand how they feel. It’s never too late to learn though!

Music is a social activity and it’s more fun when you have someone to play with. If you were better than them, you can teach them. If they’re better than you, it will give them a lot of confidence moving forward. There are a lot of musical families and you can see just how much more committed and passionate the kids are as they not only have their parents support but also have them playing alongside them.

Music is a bonding activity, and it’s fun! It will also give them a lot of confidence moving forward when it comes to playing for and with others. I’m sure you’ll create many fond memories as you learn and play music together. <3

Conclusion

While music will probably never die, the number of people who can play musical instruments will continue to die as electronically made music continues to take center stage. As less kids show interest in music class, less classes will be offered, and thus less opportunities for the few who are interested.

While some kids will never care to learn an instrument, I do believe we still need to keep the door open for others. If there’s not enough students for a class, still keep the music room door open during lunch or after school, or allow students to rent out instruments and books. Encourage them and praise their creativity. Never tell them it’s a waste of time cause it’s already a lonely path for them.