It’s never too late to learn a musical instrument. While it’s true that kids and teens are more malleable and find it easier to retain new information, you are never too old to try something new—especially since learning how to play a musical instrument has a lot of surprising mental, physical, and emotional benefits. If you’re looking for a new hobby, such as taking piano or guitar lessons this 2021, here are some reasons why you should consider getting into music.
Mental
It helps reduce stress.
We get into hobbies because we need time to blow off some steam and get our minds off our responsibilities and duties. Learning an instrument is a soothing way to help you take your mind off what’s causing you stress and anxiety, especially since studies found that music is an effective tool for lowering stress. While listening to music is already effective, making the music yourself can also help you distract yourself since you will mostly be thinking about playing the instrument right.
It helps develop creativity.
Music may be technical, and it may involve a lot of practice and science, but making music at its core will always be art, and a means to self-expression. It’s also a kind of language that allows people to communicate their deepest thoughts and longings. Whether it’s reinterpreting an already existing song or creating a new one, music can be a way for you to channel your creative energy and speak when words fail you.
It uses every part of the brain.
In the past few decades, neuroscientists found that human beings’ brains light up whenever they listen to music. Moreover, they found that playing music is like a full-body workout for the brain. This is because playing an instrument causes us to use every part of our brain. Like in any physical workout where we have to stretch, bend, and move every part of our bodies, playing instruments can exercise our brain functions and strengthen them.
Physical
It improves coordination.
If you think you tend to be clumsy or think of yourself as having poor motor skills, learning how to play an instrument may be exactly what you need to improve your eye-hand and ear-hand coordination. This is because musicians usually have to anticipate the next steps and do multiple things like looking at a music sheet while playing the instrument properly. It also helps to speed up your reaction time since you have to quickly adjust when making a mistake.
It enforces personal discipline.
If 2021 is the year you want to improve discipline in all the aspects of your life, why not start with learning how to play an instrument? Making music requires a lot of dedication and hard work, and it’s not a skill that you can learn overnight. As you choose practice over a Netflix marathon, you might find that this kind of discipline can spill over to the other areas of your life, like your physical health and finances.
It prevents age-related hearing loss.
A study found that older musicians have a higher functionality in their hearing compared to their non-musician counterparts, many of whom had age-related hearing losses. It was a surprising and ironic result because musicians often have to deal with short-term hearing loss due to the loud volume of music during concerts and performances. If you want to help protect your hearing ability, keep your ears working through music-making.
Emotional
It helps improve patience, resilience, and perseverance.
There’s nothing like learning a new skill to help improve one’s level of patience, perseverance, and resilience. If you are someone who has always had to contend with giving up too soon when things get hard, playing an instrument can help you set new goals and believe that if you work hard enough, you can be good at it eventually.
It boosts self-esteem and confidence.
If you’re looking for something to help you take pride in your hard work, getting into music may be just the thing you need to start. This is because learning how to play an instrument or even to sing is not an easy feat, and when you master these skills, you might be able to find a new appreciation for what you can do when you set your mind to it.
Taking lessons may not solve all of your problems, but it’s a good place to start caring for your mind and body this 2021. So don’t hesitate to explore the world of music, no matter how old or young you are. You can do it!
