For many people, playing an instrument is a lifelong dream, and for good reason. Learning to play a musical instrument is difficult but comes with a host of benefits that can enrich every aspect of your life. Whether you’re a beginner or have been playing for years, taking up an instrument can offer a range of personal and social benefits, from reducing stress and boosting creativity to improving memory and cognitive function. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top benefits of playing an instrument and explore why this timeless pursuit is worth pursuing.
The Power of Music Therapy
One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of playing an instrument is the calming effect it can have on the mind and body. Studies have shown that listening to music can reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve overall feelings of well-being. Playing an instrument can offer great stress-relieving benefits. When you play an instrument, you become fully absorbed in the experience, allowing you to forget about the worries of daily life and focus on the present moment. This sense of relaxation and mindfulness can help to reduce stress levels, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Think about one of your all-time favorite songs and how it makes you feel when you listen to it. Now imaging how much stronger that effect will be when you learn how to play it.
Improves Memory and Cognitive Function
In addition to reducing stress, playing an instrument can also have a positive impact on your memory and cognitive function. When you learn to play an instrument, you are essentially engaging in a form of brain training, as you must constantly remember chords, rhythm, melodies, and lyrics. This type of mental exercise has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function, particularly in older adults.
In fact, a study conducted by the University of St. Andrews in Scotland found that playing a musical instrument can help to reduce age-related declines in cognitive function, including memory and language abilities. The study also found that playing an instrument stimulates the brain, leading to the growth of new neural connections and a heightened ability to process information. This ties in with the idea of “neurons that fire together wire together.” Essentially, as you practice an instrument it is the repetition that causes your neurons to myelinate thereby making the connections more efficient.
Finding Your Voice Through Music
Playing an instrument can be a powerful tool for boosting overall creativity and self-expression. When you play music, you are able to express yourself in ways that words cannot. Whether you are writing your own music or interpreting the works of others, playing an instrument allows you to connect with your emotions and express yourself in a unique and personal way.
In addition, learning to play an instrument can also help to develop your creativity in other areas of your life. When you learn to play an instrument, you are constantly problem-solving and making decisions about how to play a piece of music. This type of creative thinking can transfer to other areas of your life, helping you to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and come up with innovative solutions. Think of cover songs where an artist does their own interpretation of another artist’s song. This is someone using their creativity to provide their own take on someone else’s creation. They are approaching it in their own unique way. By learning an instrument, you give yourself the same creative opportunities.
“Music is the poetry of the air.”
Jean Paul Richter
The Power of Music to Connect People
Playing an instrument can also have a positive impact on your social life. Whether you play with others in a band/ensemble, or simply take lessons with a group of people, playing music offers a unique opportunity to connect with others and build stronger relationships. When you play music with others, you are able to communicate through sound and the expression of that sound, creating a bond that can be stronger than words.
In addition, playing an instrument can also help to develop communication skills and enhance teamwork abilities. Whether you are performing in a group or working together to perfect a piece of music, playing an instrument requires collaboration and effective communication. These skills can transfer to other areas of your life, helping you to build stronger relationships and work more effectively with others.
Lastly, if you are a performing musician, aka “play in a band,” you are going to be performing for complete strangers. This can help those of you who are perhaps shy or introverted by putting you in a position where people want to come talk to you. They might want to talk to you about your performance, ask you to play a song they like, or may just be a fellow musician wanting to talk about music things. Performing music gives you opportunities to engage with new people and become more comfortable when doing so.
Improves Focus and Concentration
Finally, playing an instrument can also have a positive impact on your focus and concentration. When you play an instrument, you must pay close attention to the sounds you are making, as well as the sounds of others in your ensemble. You have to keep track of your part but also listen and follow the rest of the music. This type of focused listening can help to improve your overall focus and concentration, making it easier for you to stay on task and achieve your goals.
In addition, playing an instrument can also help to develop your ability to multi-task. When you play an instrument, you must often keep track of multiple elements at once, such as rhythm, melody, and harmony. This type of mental exercise can help to improve your ability to juggle multiple tasks and stay organized, even in high-pressure situations. If you play guitar, you must track the rhythm, the chords and notes, how you pick or strum the strings, etc…. If you play drums, you are juggling different rhythms for the different pieces of the drum kit, keeping a steady beat for the rest of the group to follow, and so on. Playing an instrument causes you to focus on a lot more than most people realize.
Conclusion
Learning to play an instrument can offer a wide range of benefits as we’ve already discussed, This ranges from reducing stress and boosting creativity to enhancing social skills and improving memory and cognitive function. Whether you are a beginner or have been playing for years, taking up an instrument is a timeless pursuit that is worth pursuing for its many personal and social benefits. So why not find a local music teacher, grab your instrument of choice, and start exploring the world of music today?
