The prospect of learning a musical instrument may seem intimidating, especially if it’s your first time and especially if you’re an adult. We’re here to tell you that a) there’s nothing to be afraid of, and b) you’re never too old to take up a musical instrument.
Here are 5 reasons why you should take up a musical instrument:
It’ll help you relieve stress
Music has a calming effect on most of us, if not all of us. It’s even been proven to lower our heart rates and blood pressures. Psychologist Jane Collingwood claims that slow-paced classical music is the most emotionally beneficial— “Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.”
It’ll make you smarter
Many existing studies point to a correlation between musical training and academic success— and not just for children, but adults as well. Picking up, practicing, and learning an instrument ultimately stimulates the brain— helping to improve neurological functions like abstract reasoning skills and memory.
It can give you a sense of achievement
There’s something to be said about picking up a skill that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with your day job or academic background. Learning and improving upon playing your musical instrument of choice will inevitably give you a sense of pride and achievement in yourself, and especially if and when you decide to share your new skill with your friends and family.
It’ll make you more patient
One can argue that nothing requires more patience than the learning of a new musical instrument. It requires picking up and juggling several new skills at once— including things like how to best grasp the instrument and how to read sheet music. It’ll likely test your patience if you’re notorious for being a bit on the short-tempered side, but in the end, it’ll be well worth it. Not only will you know how to play your saxophone or piano (or whatever instrument it is!), but you’ll be able to use that patient energy in your everyday life as well.
It’ll make you more well-rounded
(And maybe more attractive to someone you’re trying to impress—wink, wink)
A lot of those cliché movie tropes we see time and time again—like that heartthrob crooner who walks around with their guitar or the mysterious saxophonist with the soulful eyes— exist for a reason. Everyone loves a musician, but especially an unexpected musician. So if you’re an engineer, teacher, nurse, or whatever the case, add a little spice to your social repertoire by picking up a new musical instrument. By no means does it need to become your whole life.