how does learning a musical instrument benefit you?

There is more to playing an instrument than just pushing out a melody, studies have shown that learning an instrument can enhance reading and coordination abilities.

Music can be seen as a universal language understood by many, and learning to play an instrument is a skill that can be beneficial to daily life.

In the UK only 13% of people aged 16-24 actively play a musical instrument, and 6% over 75s, however many more have been likely to experiment with instruments as a child.

In addition to being a hobby, playing a musical instrument can improve hand-eye coordination, as the sheet music being read from, has to be translated into hand movements.

This is essential as people who have poor hand-eye coordination are more likely to be clumsy and inaccurate when precision is needed.

Learning to play an instrument not only provides cognitive abilities, but also fosters social interactions, by providing a sense of belonging.

People who can play instruments are able to connect with one another, and form bands and ensembles with others who share the same enthusiasm.

Good memory and concentration is also encouraged when learning to play, as it requires large amounts of thinking and remembrance of different notes, terms and hand placements.

Playing and synchronising music could even evoke empathy as social connections are formed, creating a sense of unity .

Another benefit is that playing an instrument is seen as an emotional outlet to many, and so it can lower cortisol levels which is a key factor to stress, as well as improving mental performances.

The top 3 most popular instruments to learn are the piano, guitar and the violin, however the ability to make music is not restricted to these.

There are a variety of different opportunities when it comes to learning an instrument, and finding the right one to play can be difficult as there are thousands of instruments available including unusual ones such as the Hurdy Gurdy.

Yet the most important factor is the joy it brings when played.

Learning an instrument should not feel like a chore, otherwise the benefits aren't useful.

If the passion is there to learn an instrument, then it’s worth investing in some lessons or teaching materials to get started, as the skill in learning an instrument can be helpful in various situations and even future careers.