Top 10 Reasons Why Giving Musical Instruments Makes Most 'Cents' for Holidays

Top 10 Reasons Why Giving Musical Instruments Makes Most 'Cents' for Holidays

Music Making Creates Magical Holiday Traditions, Gift of Music Keeps on Giving with Numerous Health, Wellness and Cost Benefits

CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- With interest in recreational music making at an all-time high, according to a 2009 Gallup Poll* conducted by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the holidays are the perfect time to share the gift of music by giving a gift of music lessons or instruments. NAMM's "Top 10 Reasons" illustrates just some of the many proven benefits of an untraditional musical gift that keeps on giving beyond the holidays:

10 Reasons for Giving Musical Instruments and Lessons This Holiday Season

Brought to you by NAMM

1. You're never too old to learn how to play music - A common myth, but
music can be learned at any age, and studies show that making music is
a life-long skill that enriches the lives of children and adults
2. Making music relieves stress - Recreational music making has been
scientifically proven to help reduce stress and reverse the body's
response to stress at the DNA level. With the holidays as one of the
most stressful times of the year, making music or giving a gift for
someone special to make music for you, can help reduce stress for an
entire family
3. Making music fights off depression - Depression affects about 19
million people in the U.S.**, and with the holiday season as one of the
most vulnerable times of the year, music making can make all the
difference in keeping spirits uplifted
4. Enrich your holiday experience - and your life! - with music making -
Whether gathering around the piano to play holiday tunes or caroling
around the neighborhood, or dancing to live music at a holiday party,
music making vibrantly brings the entire holiday experience to life
5. Use music to create lasting family traditions - Each family has its own
traditions, but music making offers a new way for families to celebrate
the festive season together. From playing a favorite tune on the piano
or jamming on the drums with a rock n' roll rendition of a classic
holiday song, music-making can create unique traditions for generations
to share
6. Playing music together promotes bonding - As families and friends come
together during the holiday season, playing music offers an exciting
way for everyone to join in on the fun, creating a sense of
togetherness
7. High play value of musical instruments - The average cost that parents
will spend on giving gifts to their kids is $200, with many kids
tossing those gifts aside in a matter of months and moving on to the
next fad. But with the gift of musical instruments, parents can give
their kids a priceless pastime that will last for many years or a
passion for music to last a lifetime
8. Cost comparison/savings over time - On average, Americans are expected
to spend $638 on holiday shopping this year, according to a 2009
National Retail Federation Report. When compared to the average price
of music lessons and pre-owned instruments, the cost of music making is
typically less in comparison
9. Biggest regret most people have - According to a 2009 Gallup Survey, 85
percent of Americans who do not play a musical instrument say they wish
they had learned to play--the holidays are a perfect time to make that
wish come true. For example, Rob Thomas, acclaimed recording artist and
songwriter, regrets not taking piano lessons
10. Unleash your inner rock star (or your child's inner rocker!) - Take
virtual music making with video games to the next level and let
yourself or your kids develop their talent with a real musical
instrument, just like their favorite bands and artists

For more reasons and to learn about the benefits of music making, or to find music lessons providers or music stores near you, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.

The favorite holiday pastime of many celebrities involves making music. Did you know:

-- Reese Witherspoon loves to spend the holidays singing Christmas carols
-- Faith Hill's favorite carol to sing around the holidays is "Little
Drummer Boy"
-- Harry Connick Jr. plays the season favorites for his family and
friends

*2009 Public Attitudes Toward Music study, conducted on behalf of NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants)

**APA Survey Raises Concern About Parent Perceptions of Children's Stress (11/3/09)

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

MEDIA CONTACTS: Scott Robertson, APR - NAMM Marketing Communications | Phone: 760-438-8007, ext. 102 scottr@namm.org

Jessica del Mundo or Anne Lowery - GolinHarris Public Relations | Phone: 213-623-4200 jdelmundo@golinharris.com or alowery@golinharris.com

Source: NAMM

CONTACT: Scott Robertson, APR - NAMM, Marketing Communications,
+1-760-438-8007, ext. 102, scottr@namm.org; or Jessica del Mundo,
jdelmundo@golinharris.com, or Anne Lowery, alowery@golinharris.com, both of
GolinHarris, +1-213-623-4200, for NAMM

Web Site: http://www.namm.org/
http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/

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