Music has a powerful effect on the brain. Think back to a time when you heard one of your favourite songs on the radio or in a restaurant. How did it make you feel? Chances are you were delighted. You may have even quietly sung the song back to yourself and followed the beat, eagerly anticipating the chorus.
You’re certainly not alone as music has a similar effect for many people. Researchers have found that even sad music can provide a sense of enjoyment for some. Listening to music can certainly be mind-altering but what about actually learning to play?
Here we’ll look at some of the benefits of learning music. Read on if you’re still on the fence about picking up an instrument to play.
Learning Music Improves Cognitive Functions
Albert Einstein is widely recognised for his contributions to science. But what many people may not know is that he was an avid violin player. Playing music helped him think through some of his most famous theories. He would take refuge in his music when he ran into a difficult problem and would often come back with new insights. It turns out he may have been onto something.
One study divided a group of 70 healthy adults between the ages of 60 and 83 into 3 groups: Those who had studied an instrument for at least 10 years, those who had played between one to nine years, and a control group who had never learned an instrument. The group that had more than 10 years of experience with an instrument scored the highest in areas such as nonverbal memory, information processing skills, and other cognitive functions.
The more that individuals trained and played, the more benefits they gained. Interestingly, they still reaped the benefits even when they hadn’t played in decades. The results of the study show a strong correlation between learning music and academic success
Learning Music Relieves Stress
We all have busy lives – Errands to run, work to finish, meetings to attend, calls to make, etc. It’s like a never-ending cycle that goes on and on. For the most part, you’re able to handle everything that comes your way and still have enough time for a breather. But if things reach a breaking point, it can become too much for you to handle.
Music has a unique effect on our body. Just listening to a moving piece can help lower your heart rate and ease anxiety levels. Other notable effects include triggering the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that plays an important role in motivation.
Learning an instrument then offers incredible benefits for the mind and body. It acts as a form of self-expression and can even be used as an outlet to cope with stress. If you’re facing a particularly challenging or difficult moment in your life, playing an instrument can help turn those emotions around and improve your overall well-being. While it’s true that learning a skill is easier at an earlier age, it’s never too late to pick up an instrument.
Author’s Bio
Kym Wallis, the founding director of Higher Ranking has over 15 years of advertising sales, digital strategy, and business development experience. He is currently working as Digital Adviser for Bioscor.
