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10 Research-Backed Reasons to Play an Instrument

lab coat scientific research reasons to play musical instrument

Considering all of the benefits, it should serve as no surprise that nearly half of all young adults in the United States report being able to play some kind of musical instrument.

Playing an instrument stimulates multiple parts of the brain, builds your hand-eye coordination skills, promotes creativity, and enhances your memory, even in those with Alzheimer's Disease. Along with the mental and physical health benefits, dipping your feet in this billion-dollar global market as a hobby may even end up earning you a few bucks.

Music affects the brain in many different ways. Needless to say, playing an instrument does wonders for both your physical and mental health. It is an activity that promotes creativity, self-expression, productivity, and may even prove to be lucrative in the long run. With so many different genres, sub-cultures, communities, and instruments to play, music is a craft that anyone and everyone should take advantage of enjoying.

  1. Playing an instrument boosts hand-eye coordination. This is no joke. Research has even found more neural connections and activity between both hemispheres of the brain in musicians opposed to those who don't dabble in the art. This study demonstrates that children who took lessons had enhanced motor skills and reaction time. Another study has found playing an instrument to be indisputably in recovering the motor skills of those who have suffered brain damage as the result of a stroke.

  2. Playing an instrument enhances your memory. Studies have proven that playing an instrument improves your working and verbal memory, which also benefits the memory of those with Alzheimer's Disease.

  3. Playing an instrument maintains your emotional health. Music has shown itself as an effective way to destress, but research is also finding it useful form of therapy to treat symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, and as a way to cope with trauma.

  4. Playing an instrument increases your reading comprehension. Reading music may not impact your vocabulary, but research has found that children who read music had enhanced reading comprehension skills. Musical training has also resulted in increased phonological awareness and sense of rhythm.

  5. Playing an instrument may earn you a few bucks. Music is a billion dollar industry, globally and the average musician in the United States earns nearly $30 an hour. Publishing your music online opens the flood gates to digital sales as well as revenue from listeners streaming your music on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.

  6. Playing an instrument connects you with others. With so many different genres, there is bound to be a sound that speaks to everyone's soul. Playing an instrument is a great way to communicate and express yourself to others. Performing or simply rocking out in your garage with a few buddies is another great way to bond with and make new friends.

  7. Playing an instrument increases your mathematical skills. Believe it or not, music is incredibly mathematical. The relationship between notes is best depicted through ratios and composing your own music forces you to calculate your playing. Although simply reading and playing sheet music is enough to increase your awareness of these relationships. Research has also found that children who played keyboard scored significantly higher on standardized arithmetic tests than those who didn't

  8. Playing an instrument boosts your ability to focus. Even merely listening to music encourages the brain to concentrate.

  9. Playing an instrument increases your fine-hearing abilities. According to this study, music "tones the brain for auditory fitness". Musicians generally have improved hearing and auditory processing abilities, with the most skilled musicians retaining the ability to detect what notes are being played by ear.

  10. Playing an instrument introduces you to new cultures and ideas. It is assumed that music has existed for at least 50,000 years. That being said, it is only natural that there seems to be an endless array of genres, cultures, and ideas. Listening to and playing music from around the world introduces you to history, ideologies, and ideas from all around the world spanning across many different eras.

The benefits of playing an instrument are incredible and undeniable. This form of art promotes mental and physical wellness, socialization, and self-expression. Furthermore, playing an instrument increases your motor skills, reading comprehension, mathematical abilities, auditory processing, and overall cognition. Music has also been found as an effective form of therapy, treating symptoms associated with depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Still looking for more reasons to try out one of our 30+ online music courses? Read 5 Reasons to Play an Instrument. For more information about ArtistWorks, our lessons, or our expert instructors, please contact us.

Purple bar 10 research backed reasons to play an instrument

 

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