Whether it be tickling the ivories or plucking on strings, there has never been a better time to learn a musical instrument. The sheer breadth of options means that there is something for everyone regardless of your age, music taste, or ability. Whilst an enjoyable past time in and of itself, the cognitive benefits are profound, and losing yourself in the music can be the best way to relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and showcase your talents. Music can also be a highly social experience. It provides a topic of conversation to share with others and opens up the possibility of joining local music groups, orchestras or bands, bringing together like-minded people and reveling in the wonderful music that is created.
Health benefits include:
- It sharpens the mind Learning an instrument can be mentally challenging at times. It requires dedication, commitment, and concentration, making sure to diligently read the music and match it with the correct physical movements. All of this keeps your brain active and makes sure that you’re being mentally stimulated, and at times pushed. Learning a musical instrument provides exactly the required mental stimulation to fend off issues such as Alzheimer’s.
- It improves coordination and dexterity Learning a musical instrument requires you to quickly and deftly move your fingers to correctly match the musical notes and patterns. This improves your hand-eye coordination and helps improves skills that can be applied to other activities such as sports.
- It improves reading skills If you find yourself looking for an alternative to books and magazines, then music could well be your answer. Playing the instrument is just one half of the exercise, the other is knowing what it is that you are supposed to be playing! Reading music notes is like learning a new language and it can definitely get trickier with the faster-paced tempos.
- It improves your respiratory system If you decide to learn a wind instrument, then it can definitely help with respiratory issues. Playing a wind instrument requires regulated and strong breathing. This has the capacity to strengthen your diaphragm and get you to really focus on your breathing habits.
- It is rewarding Learning a musical instrument introduces you to a whole new skill set which can be immensely rewarding and satisfying. If you’ve always loved music then it can be a fulfilling experience to create some for yourself or even have a go at recreating some of the classics that you love. With dedication, your musical skills will only increase over time and you may even become a master of it. All of this helps to alleviate mental distress and promote a sense of self-worth and excellence. In general, playing a musical instrument can help blow off steam when you’re stressed and help you escape for a while and just enjoy the moment of music-filled bliss.
“Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”