Here are some reasons why learning to play a musical instrument is great for your brain

All of us cannot create music as powerful and soothing as that of Eric Clapton, and our tunes may not become a part of history enriching many lives. Yet, we should not be discouraged and play an instrument anyway. Not because we might be able to create divine art, but because it is healthy! Below are some reasons why. 

1.   Makes you more intelligent:

According to a study conducted by Harvard neurologist Gottfried Schlaug, adult musicians who played instruments had more grey matter in their brain than those who didn’t. 

‘What’s unique about playing an instrument is that it requires a wide array of brain regions and cognitive functions to work together simultaneously, in both right and left hemispheres of the brain,’, Allison Balbag, a professional harpist who has a Ph.D. on the impact of music on health told National Geographic.

2.   Makes you more confident:

Whether you are a confident guitarist that women love or an obscure keyboard player who struggles to express himself in public, playing an instrument helps any person feel more confident. The basic fact that you know how to do something that not everyone knows is something to be proud of, and while the instrument is in your hand there’s little else you can think about except the notes you have to hit, and the emotion with which you have to hit them. Such an act of expression will definitely make you feel better and confident, regardless of the failures you experience in life. 

3.   Can help prevent cognitive decline:

As we age, our brain ceases to function at its optimal level and many people suffer from some form of mental illness that makes life difficult for them and their caretakers. Playing a musical instrument at a young age, can strengthen neural connections in the brain.

‘Our study shows that even moderate levels of musical activity can benefit brain functioning. Our findings could have important implications as the processes involved are amongst the first to be affected by aging, as well as a number of mental illnesses such as depression. The research suggests that musical activity could be used as an effective intervention to slow, stop or even reverse age, or illness, related decline in mental functioning.’, psychologist Dr Ines Jentzsch.

4.   Makes you hear better in a noisy environment:

Ever been in a noisy environment and struggled to discern what your friend had to say? According to a study, musical training helps enhance auditory working memory thus making you a better listener and communicator. For the study, 44 adults (between 55 to 76) were made to listen to the synthesized speech syllable ‘da’ and the electrical activity in their auditory brainstems were measured. It was seen that people who had musical training even at a young age displayed the quickest brain response.  

5. Helps you become ambi-dexterous:

A lot of instruments requires a person to work both their hands at the same time. This helps develop good co-ordination between both hands, and this can come in handy as an important life-skill.