| British attitudes to playing music |
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Forget the latest computer game, and the newest MP3 player to hit the market – according to the most in-depth ever research into British attitudes to playing music, released by the Music Industries Association (MIA), the ultimate ‘boy’s toy’ has been revealed as none other than the trusty guitar – with a staggering 50 percent of male musicians claiming to play. This research, the result of detailed interviews with over 1000 households, is the first of its kind aimed at gaining feedback on the music playing attitudes and behaviour of the UK population. Through it, the UK is revealed as a nation of music lovers with 21 percent of over 5s in the UK playing a musical instrument and 44 percent of UK households (11.25m) owning at least one instrument. The majority of players (57 percent) are under 35 years and from a middle class background.The guitar has been revealed as the most popular musical instrument overall, with over 4 million players (35 percent) closely followed by pianos and keyboards (33 percent), however there are significant differences between the sexes. Whilst 50 percent of male musicians choose the guitar the appeal is not nearly so strong for women, with only 17 percent choosing the guitar in preference to other instruments. More than twice as many female musicians (47 percent) play the piano than men (21 percent) . The research also found that there are 18 million lapsed players in the UK, 48 percent (8.5million) of whom would like to start playing again. Of those people who have never played a musical instrument over 70 percent wish they had learnt and 7 million non-players would like to learn to play an instrument. A staggering 80 percent of lapsed musicians stopped playing their instrument by the age of sixteen, rising to more than 90 percent by the time players have reached twenty-one. More than 90 percent of those questioned felt that playing a musical instrument was fun, relaxing and a good means of expression, with 94 percent agreeing that music helped develop a child’s creativity and appreciation of arts and culture, and 84 percent a child’s overall intellectual development. The MIA has already launched a number of initiatives to encourage more people to play music and hopes to develop these further in the coming year. Paul McManus, chief executive, Music Industries Association, said: “It’s clear that there’s an appetite for playing music in the UK. But a lot of people still want to play and don’t and that’s why we’re developing ways to make it easier for them to go back to playing an instrument or to learn to play. Too many players are giving up early in life and regretting it afterwards. We need to find new ways to help and encourage all age groups to experience the joys and benefits of playing a musical instrument.” For further information contact David Morris on tel: 020 7467 9200 July 2006
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