There are few things more rewarding than learning a new skill or engaging in a creative outlet. When you pick up an instrument for the first time, you begin your journey towards achieving both of these things. This is probably why learning an instrument is on almost everyone’s to-do list — because it is endlessly enriching and fun. Something a lot of people don’t realise, however, is that learning a musical instrument is also great for your body and brain. Whether you’re looking to support your health or strengthen your mental abilities, learning to play an instrument can help you achieve your goals.
Did You Know These Mental Benefits of Learning & Playing an Instrument?
Strengthens Your Brain’s Executive Function
Executive functions are a set of cognitive processes that are ultimately necessary for achieving chosen goals. They allow us to complete critical tasks, including processing and retaining of information, controlling our behaviour, making decisions, and solving problems. Musical training has been seen to strengthen executive functioning in both children and adults, meaning that playing music can essentially improve your ability to live healthily and happily.
Strengthens Memory
As we’ve mentioned, playing music can improve our ability to retain information. This link between music and memory is so strong, however, it can even assist the brain’s recovery from a stroke. Plus, people experiencing the slow onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have been known to experience some relief through engagement with music too.
Builds Fine Hearing Ability
Studies have shown that musicians have an improved ability to pick out select sounds and voices within a noisy environment. This is likely due to the training you do as a musician to isolate sounds as they occur. So, if you’re sick of trying to hear your favourite shows over your family’s conversation or struggling to keep up with the gossip when out to dinner, a musical instrument might be the fix.
Enhances Reading & Listening Skills
One of the most intimidating parts of learning to play an instrument is learning to read and apprehend music. Continuously reading and recognising different notes is a significant hurdle to get over, but once you do, you become better at reading and apprehension overall. Learning an instrument can also improve your listening abilities, and furthermore expand your social skills. In order to ensure you’re playing the right notes, you must be able to listen intuitively. This is a very valuable skill to possess as you move through the world and meet more people.
Boosts Concentration
When you’re playing music, you need to juggle various elements all at once, without neglecting the beat, rhythm, texture or timbre. This practice will significantly improve your ability to concentrate, particularly if you learn to play as part of a musical group. While concentrating on your own sound is effective, focusing on the harmony of a collective is even more substantial for improving this skill. In fact, playing music is so effective for boosting concentration, it is considered highly beneficial for people with disorders such as ADHD.
What About the Other Great Health Benefits of Learning & Playing an Instrument?
Supports Immune Response
Believe it or not, learning an instrument and making music can give us a greater ability to avoid and recover from illnesses. Studies show that creating music enhances our immunological response (meaning our body’s ability to fight viruses).
Improves Posture
It might sound random, but having good posture is very important when you’re playing an instrument. Consistently perfecting your posture will get you into the habit of sitting up straight and having proper alignment, even when you’ve put the instrument away. This will help to alleviate neck and back pain, which you will be very grateful for in the long run.
Enhances Coordination
Musicians need to have good hand-eye coordination to play their instruments correctly. You need to use your fingers, hands and feet in a rhythmic manner, all while playing the correct tones, for a sustained period of time. This practice, particularly when repeated, will refine your motor skills significantly over time.
Improves Respiratory System
If you’re learning a wind instrument, such as the clarinet or flute, you will have to first learn how to breathe properly. These instruments operate on air vibrations of which you, the musician, are responsible. This means that breathing effectively and efficiently will become your top priority, and will greatly improve your respiratory system.
Increases Physical Health
While playing an instrument might not look physically taxing, it is actually a very substantial source of exercise. Most instruments, whether that be the piano, guitar, strings or a wind instrument, require the use of your arm and back muscles to play and carry. If you play the drums, you’ll even be partaking in some significant cardio. Increasing your physical activity — even just by playing your favourite songs — will help to relieve stress and boost your mood.
Helps Mental Health
There are many ways in which music can alleviate symptoms of poor mental health. Creating and playing music is a great way to express negative emotions, and it can also be a way to self-soothe after a stressful day. Music can thereby help to minimise stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Learning an instrument and continuing down the path of creating and/or mastering songs will also give you a wonderful sense of achievement.
The ability music has to bring people together should also not be underestimated, and joining a band, orchestra or choir can be an easy way to make friends. Meeting new people and forming connections can work wonders for your mental health.
Look After Yourself & Pick Up an Instrument Today!
Learning an instrument can be intimidating, but everyone starts somewhere. If you’re thinking about trying something new, the best thing you can do is go ahead and do it. There are endless benefits to learning an instrument, and the quicker you get over that initial hurdle, the quicker you’ll be able to enjoy these benefits. Once you’re able to play with others, make your own music, and recreate your favourite songs, you’ll be so grateful you started today!
And there’s nowhere better to find your new instrument than at Angkor Music! The friendly and knowledgeable team can help you find an instrument to suit your style and preferences, as well as get you sorted with all the necessary accessories to make learning and enjoying this new hobby all the easier!
