5 Important Benefits of Playing an Instrument: Why Music Has Incredible Power and Will Change Your Life

This article on the benefits of playing an instrument is sponsored by Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse.

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Music has a profound impact on our mind and can change our mood or help us focus. When you learn how to play an instrument, music has an even deeper impact. It can be a challenge to learn something new and requires many hours of practice as you take in new information and learn a new skill. The rewards are worth the effort, however. No matter what age you are when you start practicing. Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from learning to play an instrument of your choice. 

1. Improves Memory 

Playing music requires using almost every part of your brain, especially since you have to learn new movements with your body as you get used to holding or using the instrument. As you practice your brain is stimulated with this new information, which makes it easier for you to learn other things and remember them.

2. Increases Cultural Appreciation for Music

The more you practice, the more you will learn songs written by other composers throughout history and across cultures. You might even develop a taste for different styles and genres of music. You could be drawn to certain composers or songwriters. This deeper understanding helps build your own repertoire and leads to a higher level of appreciation as you listen to new tunes. 

3. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Many different studies have shown that listening to relaxing music before a stressor helped to significantly reduce cortisol levels (our stress hormone), slow down the pulse and heart rate, and lower blood pressure, compared to those who do not listen to calming music. Listening to your own music is an even more profound way to take your mind off the stressful events of your day or life. And it can help you process emotions in a healthy way. 

4. Improves Social Skills

Musical training makes you better at detecting vocal emotions in people as they speak. As you learn about different pitches and variables of music you are able to intonate what a person’s mood or general feeling is depending on how loud or soft they talk, or how high or low their tone of voice is. 

It’s also beneficial to join a musical group to develop relationships with new people, build leadership and teamwork skills, collaborate creatively, and perform together. This helps build confidence and makes it easier for you to work with others in different aspects of your life. 

5. One of the Best Benefits of Playing an Instrument: It’s Fun! 

Playing music is an enjoyable practice. Not only does it do creative wonders for your brain, it also feels good to play around with different melodies and tunes. As you learn how different composers write their music, you will quickly hear music in new ways. As your confidence builds, you will start to bring your own style and flair to the way you play and perform and will express each piece in new and exciting ways. 

If you have no prior music experience, lessons are a great way to get started! Soundhouse Academy at Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse is the perfect local option to get started in a band. 

Decide whether you want to learn the guitar, bass, drums, vocals, horns, or a number of other instruments before you make your call!

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