Why You Should Learn How To Play An Instrument

For many, their first experience with music and the sounds of an instrument are first discovered in grade school or high school. Crowded music rooms are filled with eager students looking to try out their chops with the easy-going scales of Beethoven’s Fur Elise. 

The occasional skipped note, squeak, and sharp blat is a common inclusion for any school concert, and parents clap and grin when the classical rendition is over. However, musical instruments aren’t only for young adults. If you were one of the few who did not experience a band or have simply lost touch with your initial lessons, there’s no better time to start playing an instrument than now.

 There are serious health benefits which are associated with playing an instrument, and it’s never too late to begin.

Improving Mental Cognizance and Coordination

For many, learning an instrument can seem a daunting task. But with easy-to-learn guided lessons from books or an instructor, the learning curve is increased for an adult, who can recognize patterns more quickly than a growing mind.

Playing an instrument has been shown to improve mental cognizance, in that memorizing scales, notes, and learning fingerings challenges and stimulates the brain. This also improves hand-eye coordination in that your brain must work to remind your fingers where to move, and how to articulate the sounds. 

Research has shown that for individuals over the age of 65, 4-5 hours of practice a week not only improves mental clarity but can also improve performance in hearing and motor functions.

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Increases Memory

As we age, our memory declines, and many accept it as a natural part of getting older. However, for many, the reason our capacity for remembering fades is simply a lack of use. Like any system in the body, repetition helps strengthen and preserve its functions.

 As with muscles, the brain needs to be worked and built with continued challenge and stimulation throughout our lifetimes. Learning music is a long-lasting way to continue to expand your mind, creating the growth of new neurons, and preserving the health of the mind.

 Research has shown that learning an instrument not only sharpens the memory, but expands the capacity of it, allowing an individual not only to more easily remember, but also to recall more information at any one time.

Relieves Stress

Stress is a common condition across all people in all cultures and stems from changing conditions, and the ability to cope with events that may be traumatic or difficult. Taking the time to learn an instrument can help reduce stress by allowing the individual to escape, just for an hour or two at a time, to unwind, and focus only on the notes upon the page.

 It’s important to take a break from the stress created by jobs and family, and music is not only an escape but has been shown to alter the moods of the listener. 

There are countless instruments to choose from, to suit your individual personality, as well as your budget. Many music stores provide rentals for a low monthly fee so that you might try out a few different types before you find the one for you.

This article was written by Logan Kelso, a writer who hopes to educate and entertain you. He writes this on behalf of Olga Redkina, your number one choice when looking for help with learning an instrument as an adult Check out her website today and see how she can help you