Long ago the Great Chinese philosopher Confucius said that "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

Playing a musical instrument is a magical skill that reaps benefits and brings joy to everyone as they hear beautiful melodies and groovy tunes of jazz.

The Benefits

  • Increase the capacity of your memory - Research has shown that playing an instrument can stimulate the brain in a way that can change the shape and power of the brain whilst also improving your memory.
  • Improve your time management and organisational skills.
  • Beneficial to your team values - If you go on to play in an orchestra it can heavily benefit your teamwork, team values and team skills.
  • Teaches you perseverance - Learning an instrument teaches perseverance as you must practice improving your pieces and this helps imprint the idea that practice makes perfect.
  • Improves your coordination - The art of playing an instrument is known to enhance your hand to eye coordination as you must read music whilst simultaneously playing the correct notes.
  • Sharpens your concentration – Whether you’re playing on your own or in an ensemble, there are many factors of the pieces that you have to focus on including pitch, rhythm, tempo and just being part of the ensemble and the greater harmony.
  • Relieves stress – As you improve in your ability to play the instrument, you can play more diverse pieces that are more emotional. These emotional pieces are known to reduce stress and have even been used in therapy.
  • Creates a sense of achievement and purpose – Overcoming challenges, such as playing a technical piece, and passing musical grades that you never felt you would reach can create a sense of pride and purpose and positively influence self-esteem.
  • Improves your listening skills – Playing an instrument you are guaranteed to improve your listening skills because you will need very acute hearing to be able to tell when you play an incorrect note or if the pitch of your instrument is too sharp or flat.
  • Teaches you discipline – Playing an instrument can be challenging and therefore discipline is required to ensure that you practice enough and focus on the harder parts, not just the easy, fun sections.
  • Enhances your respiratory system – If you play an instrument that involves blowing into a mouthpiece, you will learn to take deep breaths and expel the air in consistent long burst whilst also helping you hold your breath longer.
  • Improves your mood and the mood of the people around you – Ultimately the best benefit of playing an instrument is the joy, happiness and excitement it brings to you and the people listening.

"Not only is it fun to play an instrument, but there is also no better feeling than to stand in front of an audience who is applauding you after you have just serenaded them with a melody that you have toiled over for what seems like an age."

What instruments can I learn to play?

There are several different categories of musical instruments including woodwind, brass, strings and percussion.

With in these categories some of the popular instruments to learn are:

  • Guitar (strings)
  • Violin (strings)
  • Cello (strings)
  • Recorder (woodwind)
  • Flute (woodwind)
  • Saxophone (woodwind)
  • Clarinet (woodwind)
  • Oboe (woodwind)
  • Bassoon (woodwind)
  • Piano/keyboard (percussion)
  • Drums (percussion)
  • Trumpet (brass)
  • French Horn (brass)
  • Trombone (brass)
  • Singing/the voice