The Many Benefits of Learning Music: Mind, Body, and Beyond

I doubt anyone would argue that music isn’t a fun or enjoyable pastime. But did you know there were health benefits as well? Both Johns Hopkins and Harvard University will tell you that simply listening to music will improve your quality of life by elevating your sleep quality, mental acuity, and memory, while simultaneously reducing your blood pressure, stress, and even pain level.

“Music is structural, mathematical and architectural. It’s based on relationships between one note and the next. You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of it” (Hopkins Medicine).

Regarding kids who learn an instrument, they are set up for success in a way that kids who don’t simply are not. Children who take music classes have an increased ability to concentrate, enhanced fine and gross motor skills, better executive function, as well as greater sensory development. As a result of these positive changes, these kids perform better in school. But there are social benefits as well: creativity, empathy, and emotional maturity all receive a boost via learning music (Education through Music).

But those benefits do not suddenly end when we transition to adulthood. Many of us, once we leave school, tend to fall into a repetitious routine, which has negative impacts on our minds. Taking music lessons as an adult increases cognitive function, lowers anxiety levels, allows us to build social connections, contributes to our sense of self-worth, and helps with time management (Music Institute of Chicago). The importance of these factors only increase with age (University of Michigan Medicine). Some anecdotal evidence, along with emerging research, indicates that music therapy (both listening and performing) may stave off the effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia (HHS Alzheimers Info).

So, if you’re ready to begin your musical journey for any of these reasons or so many more, head to Silversound’s website to check out your options!

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