Seven Reasons To Learn To Play Music

Sometimes it’s useful to take a step back and look at just why we are planning to do something, in this case, learning to play piano. So I thought I would review some of the great reasons which people have for learning to play piano, or indeed, any other instrument.

1. Enhance your joy in music

It’s sounds obvious, but actually it isn’t. When you begin to learn to play an instrument, from the beginning you will find that your appreciation of music increases. Your admiration for the technical skills of the virtuoso will be enhanced by your own growing understanding of just how hard those skills are to acquire. You will develop greater sensitivity to the nuances of performances, and will truly be able to distinguish the genius from the simply competent performer.

2. Improve your motor skills and even your IQ

There’s a lot of evidence to show that learning an instrument will improve your motor skills, in other words, your ability to use, in particular, your hands. Activities such as sewing, painting and making repairs, which require control and co-ordination, will become easier. This is especially true for children, where gains in motor skills among children learning to play a musical instrument have been shown again and again. There is also a lot of evidence that reasoning and mathematical abilities are improved by learning a musical instrument. This alone should encourage you to provide your children with music lessons. When you play music, you are developing the areas of the brain which deal with math, organization, and the control of the body. It’s like a work out for the brain!

3. Promotes self-discipline and a sense of achievement

Let’s not pretend that learning to play an instrument to a good level is easy. It requires self -discipline, organization, perhaps even some sacrifice of time that could be spent doing other things. But the sense of achievement which results from the study and effort of learning to play the piano, the guitar, the violin, or whatever the chosen instrument, is for most people important and worthwhile. Perhaps you feel that you haven’t really succeeded in much in life. Playing music is a sign that you have dedicated yourself to a worthwhile activity, which can make up for a feeling of past failings.

4. It’s a great social activity

Sooner or later you’ll reach the stage when you are good enough to play with others. Whether it’s a jazz band, a string quartet, a rock group or your local church’s praise team, playing the music that you love with others is a unique pleasure. For youngsters, it teaches teamwork, co-operation, and responsibility. For older people, who probably already have these character attributes, it offers companionship and company with like-minded people.

5. Playing music is a wonderful outlet for stress

We live in a world which is far more complex than it used to be. We all have so many demands on our resources, especially our emotional resources. Sitting down and playing music is a wonderful way of expressing our emotions. If we are tired, afraid, angry, sad, “Music hath charms to sooth the troubled breast.” Of course, listening to music is a great solace for many of us, but playing is even better, as we can infuse the music which our own feelings and emotions, and literally play out the negative and play in the positive.

6. Improves concentration and the ability to focus

When you play music, you have to concentrate on a lot of different things. Not only the physical playing of the instrument and hitting the right notes, but the accuracy of pitch, tempo, rhythm and a host of other things. You are lost in the world of music, and this practice of focusing very intently on what you are doing improves your ability to focus and concentrate in all areas of your life.

7. You bring pleasure to others

When you play an instrument well, or even adequately, you bring pleasure to your family and friends. Imagine being able to sit down at the piano, or reach for the guitar, and play favorite songs at family gatherings, so that everyone can join in. Yes, it’s an old fashioned image, but don’t we all long for those happy days when we were able to make our own entertainment?

These are just some of the reasons why learning to play an instrument enhances your life. So, if you’ve been wondering whether to get started on that long held dream, why wait? There are many resources online to get you going today!
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