From djambee to trumpet, there are not only countless instruments, but also countless reasons to learn to play them. It is not only a fun hobby, but also a positive influence on your cognitive, motor and mental skills. A win-win, right? Plus, you don’t even have to play the stars from the sky to benefit from it.
Relax, take it easy!
In addition to listening to music can help you relax, playing an instrument can also help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, according to various studies. It can also reduce stress, anxiety and depression. According to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, while playing you enter a ”flow state”, a mental state between boredom and high alertness, which helps you to synchronize with the music and play smoothly.
Talk Dutch to me!
A study from the Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Neuroscience in Leipzig tested the influence of musical training on speech and music processing. It showed that music and speech are processed in the same brain areas. So if you are musically advanced as a child, you are most likely also more advanced in language skills.
It’s all about confidence, baby!
Learning to play a musical instrument is not always easy, but by taking small steps first, it becomes easier to take the big steps. With every new song you learn on your electric piano, you overcome another obstacle. And for children and adults alike, this will strengthen their self-confidence and make them mentally stronger, also in non-musical situations.
We’re all in this together!
Would you like to play in a band or orchestra eventually? Then you will have to learn to take other musicians into account and listen to each other. Because if everyone only played for themselves, it would be a big chaos. The fact that everyone has their own specific task, but also has to help and support the others will help you improve your social skills.
Focus on me, ff-focus on me!
Coordination, feeling, hearing and seeing, it’s all part of making music. And let’s certainly not forget developing and using your creativity. When learning a musical instrument via YouTube, for example, your cognitive skills and mental agility are increased almost immediately.
According to a study by neuroscientist Dr. Ines Jentsch, music education leads to better information processing and therefore more concentration by increasing the speed at which you solve tasks without compromising your accuracy.
