DeepGamma.

Benefits of music extends far beyond relaxation and entertainment.

Some people enjoy stimulating their brains through active hobbies such as playing chess, solving puzzles, or reading. However, if you’re searching for a fun and brain-stimulating activity, learning to play a musical instrument may be an excellent choice.

So, beyond stimulating your senses of vision, hearing, touching and fine movements, what other benefits can you and your brain gain from playing a musical instrument?

Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

Numerous studies indicate that both music listeners and musical instrument players experience similar benefits though playing an instrument offers greater engagement, hence more cognitive advantages.

Playing a musical instrument also ranks among the top brain exercises with long-lasting advantages. It engages all parts of the brain simultaneously and may even have the potential to alter brain structure.

The benefits of playing a musical instrument can be experienced by people of all ages. For young people, learning to play a musical instrument during childhood and adolescence can have profound effects on brain development, cognitive skills, and academic performance. For older adults, this activity typically serves as a fulfilling and enjoyable hobby. Even so, it concurrently helps keep the brain active.

1. Music Strengthens Memory

Learning to play an instrument requires and offers you a good memory simultaneously.

A study conducted on cognitive control in auditory working memory also shows that the neural activity of musicians increases during enhanced working memory performance, compared to that of non-musicians. The benefit may be a consequence of focused musical training.

In order to freely express yourself in music , you need to remember several different pieces of music. To become a confident musician, you may need to take a step further. Generally speaking, people prefer a musician who plays a piece of music from memory to one who is reading from the score. This might be good news for some of you who want to train your musical skill and elevate your memory at the same time.

2. Music Changes Brain Structure

Through extensive studies of brain scans, scientists can see the difference in the brain structure between musicians and non-musicians.

After a closer and thorough analysis over a period of time, they conclude that playing a musical instrument increases the grey matter volume in many brain regions. It also strengthens connections between neurons and increases communications across the brain hemispheres.

Once the grey matter volume increases, it promotes the brain plasticity and allows the brain to process information more effectively.

3. Music Reduces Stress

We all know that music can lower stress and anxiety levels. However, the impact of it goes far beyond what you may think.

Stress is linked to memory. When we’re stressed, we can’t remember things well. Stress can cause severe changes and damages to certain areas of the brain. It also affects many other cognitive functions, including thinking, reasoning, and learning skills. That’s certainly not what you want for your brain.

If you’re a person who can’t easily break free from overthinking and worries, involving yourself in an active activity like playing an instrument can provide a healthy diversion and distraction from daily stressors.

4. Music Helps with Mindfulness and Flow

Amid the modern times, characterised by hectic lifestyles and a backdrop of constant chaos, many people are searching for a channel for emotional expression and release. Playing an instrument allows us to temporarily escape from the reality and, sometimes, enter a state of mindfulness and flow.

When we become fully immersed in the activity, we lose track of time and worries. In a state of tranquility, our heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels are lowered. The brain also becomes adept at comprehending, retains, and recalling information.

5. Music Improves Attention Span

Some people love to play music in the background while working, driving or studying since it helps them to stay focused. Your own experience may confirm this. However, playing a musical instrument takes your attention span to the next level.

Unlike listening to music, playing an instrument forces your attention to focus on the task at hand. Music also trains your ability to maintain focus for a certain period of time without getting distracted. A study from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the Universidad del Desarrollo Chile shows that children, aged 10 – 13 years old, who practice music regularly at least 2 hours per week have improved their attention and working memory. It is hoped that the same results would be seen in adults.

6. Music Improves Eye-Hand Coordination

Have you ever spectated a performance by a genius pianist and been completely blown away by the speed of their finger movements? Apparently, advanced eye-hand coordination is particularly observed in pianists.

Good eye-hand coordination is vital for children and remains important in adults throughout their lives. It’s the ability to synchronise visual information with motor movements particularly those involving the hands. Eye-hand coordination allows us to effectively perform everyday tasks with speed and accuracy. It apparently requires both fine and motor skills, which declines as we age.

When playing music, the brain is generally in sync with the body. For example, in the beginning stages of learning an instrument, beginners focus their eyes on the music sheet, interpreting and processing the notes in their minds. Then, the magic unfolds on the instrument as the fingers, hands, and feet collaborate intricately to produce the desired sounds. This intricate interplay, both internally and externally, results in a sophisticated eye-hand collaboration.

And the more they practice it, the better it gets.

Playing a musical instrument benefits the young brain and the ageing brain alike.

– DeepGamma

All in all, engaging in musical practice activates and stimulates all regions of the brain. Learning and playing a musical instrument not only enhance overall brain function and cognition but also improve our overall performance in daily life.

Playing a musical instrument greatly boosts brain power in a way not many other mental activities can do. Although, for some people, this may present challenges initially, maintaining momentum will eventually lead to effortless and gratifying progress.

The next time you choose a musical instrument to play, consider it not just a source of enjoyment but also a rewarding cognitive and mental workout for your brain.

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