Many of us had the opportunity to learn to play an instrument when we were kids, either experimenting with different instruments in music lessons at school, learning a particular instrument as an extracurricular activity in school, or having private lessons to learn how to play. Unfortunately, few of us stuck to music once we’d left. Even people that took their instrument seriously and earned certificates and passed gradings find that keeping up as an adult is tough.
With work, further study, family, and other commitments, as well as the pull of fun new hobbies, nights out with friends, and other forms of entertainment, it’s hard to find the time to practice. This means that very few adults play an instrument, and even fewer learn something new once their school days are over.
This is a shame. Just like music lessons are incredibly important in schools, and learning an instrument is something that we should encourage our children to do, learning to play something new as an adult can be incredibly advantageous. Here’s a look at some of the benefits that you could enjoy.
It’s Great for Your Brain
Learning something new is one of the best things that you can do for your brain health. Whether it’s learning to do things with your non-dominant hand, learning a lew language, or learning to play an instrument, whenever you learn something new, you give your brain a workout. Exercising your body keeps it fit and healthy, and exercising your brain helps to keep it young, avoiding the risks of cognitive decline as you get older. Learning an instrument can help your memory, as well as increase other brain functions.
Musicians are Often Great Multitaskers
When you play an instrument, you multitask. You listen, you read music, your hands move to keys or strings, you think ahead, preparing for your next move. All without really being aware that you are doing it. Practicing music can make you a better multitasker in other areas of your life too.
There’s also some evidence that people that play instruments are smarter than those that don’t. This could be because of improvements to memory and working out different parts of your brain, but it’s also to do with this ability to think about and do more than one thing at a time. People who learn an instrument, even in later life, are often able to learn other things and retain information more easily.
Music Can be Good Exercise
Yes, music gives your brain a workout, but it can also be surprisingly good for your body. When you play an instrument, whatever it is, you move. You also have to work on your posture, and some instruments are very heavy, giving your muscles a workout.
Wind or brass instruments, that you blow can also improve your breathing and lung capacity which can be great for your cardiovascular health.
Learning an Instrument Can Be Good for Your Mental Health
We all struggle with our mental health from time to time. For most, the last two years have been particularly hard. We suffer from stress, seasonal blues, depression, anxiety, and other issues, and most of the time we just try to carry on.
Music, and learning an instrument, can be great for your mental health. When you play, you let go of stress and worry. You stop thinking about your problems and you find peace.
Music is a Way to Make Friends
Another way that playing an instrument boosts your mental health is by offering a way to make new friends and meet people with shared interests. Even the smallest social interactions, such as chatting to someone in a music shop, or saying hi to the next student when you leave your class, can be a big mental health boost, and actually making new friends is exceptionally important.
Music also gives you something to talk about and shared with loved ones and acquaintances, boosting friendships and adding something new to your relationships.
Playing an Instrument is Fun
If you are learning to play an instrument as an adult, you are unlikely to go pro or win big awards. But that’s ok. There are so many other benefits, one of which is how much fun you could have.
Chances are, you’ve got a very busy life with plenty of stress. Anything that you can do to burn some of that stress off, smile and enjoy yourself while letting go of pressures is always going to be a bonus.
Lessons are great but to have the most fun it can be worth spending time in a London music studio. Hire a recording studio in London, get some friends together, and really enjoy yourself. Pirate can offer you a safe space to record, practice vocals, and experiment with the latest technology. They can also help you with practice spaces and offer self-service entry for convenience.
Learning to play an instrument as an adult can be hard. As an adult, it’s harder to start any new hobby. Children love to try new things and have no fear of failing, or of the unknown. As adults, trying something new can feel like more of a risk, and taking that first step is often the hardest part.
If you’d like to learn to play an instrument, first, think about what you’d like to play. Think about instruments that you enjoy listening to, or have always wanted to play, perhaps even looking back to instruments that you liked to play during music lessons at school, or that your friends played. Then look at studios, music shops, or tutors in your local area. You might also be able to borrow or test instruments before committing to make an expensive purchase of your own.
Then, start enjoying yourself and all of the benefits will follow. Whether you are going to have professional instruction or not, learning from online tutorials can be a great help, and give you a way to practice, and getting together to play with friends can be good fun. However you learn, remember to enjoy it, without putting any pressure on yourself.
