Learning how to play a musical instrument is one of the healthiest and most productive activities that you can enjoy, and there are many benefits that you can reap from it. This article will cover some of the essential parts of it from a mental standpoint, and perhaps you will be encouraged to start playing in the near future.
Creativity & Expression
Music is an art, and just like the visual ones, it is one of the finest forms of expression out there.
The beauty of music is that there are many ways that it can be composed, and there are basically no limits; you might have sad and slow music that’s intended to move people emotionally, or you can have faster and upbeat music that’s meant to move people in a literal sense (i.e., dancing, clapping, singing-along, foot-tapping, and headbanging), and everything in between – there are different styles and genres that serve many different purposes.
Learning how to play an instrument allows you to tap into your creativity and gives you an avenue to express yourself. It can be an excellent way to cope with and find relief for stress and other mental health concerns,
Of course, you also have the added benefit of potentially having others enjoy what you’ve created. There’s probably no better compliment than someone appreciating and even relating to the feelings and emotions you’ve translated into notes and rhythm.
Memory & Cognition
Learning how to play music requires you to use your memory and attention on so many different levels, and it greatly stimulates this area of your brain.
Some examples of memorization include the note positions on your instrument, how to play scales, chords, arpeggios, how to read and understand rhythm, and of course, committing a piece of music to your brain so that you can perform it.
Not only that, music is something that demands a great deal of attention, so if you struggle to focus, picking up an instrument might be able to help you improve your ability to concentrate in other aspects of life like school and work.
However, there is always the possibility that you might enjoy your instrument so much that it consumes your focus and attention and it’s always on your mind, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless it starts detracting from other responsibilities. Balance is important!
Patience & Discipline
Building off the notion that learning an instrument requires a high degree of attention, it’s also an activity that can build your character by making you a more focused, patient, and disciplined individual.
This is especially true for those who commit to the instrument for years, and it can potentially become a life-long endeavor.
Becoming great at your craft requires a tremendous amount of practice time over a span of many years, and those who stick to music will always set aside time for it because they won’t reach their goals without dedicating this valuable time to practice and improve themselves.
Even world-class virtuosos never stop practicing because there is a need to always be on top of their game.
Conclusion
In general, musicianship is an activity that can stimulate your brain at a biochemical level and can simply make you feel happier or have a wholesome hobby to enjoy. However, by reading this article, hopefully, you’ve learned about some of the specific and practical ways you can benefit your mood, emotions, and behaviors. Although it’s great to start learning an instrument at a young age to take advantage of it as early as you can, it’s never too late to start enjoying a new activity that can provide years of fulfillment.
