Music has always been a very important part of people’s lives all over the world. Not only is music nice to listen to, it also can be motivating and relaxing to listen to. Music has proved to help change people’s mood and behavior, and has even contributed to improvements in our bodies physiological functions, which can include improved heart and breathing rates. If all these benefits can come from just listening to music, then what type of benefits, if any, could playing an instrument have towards you?
People who play instruments have proven to have increased cognitive abilities. These abilities have included improved learning abilities, memory, fine motor skills, and verbal and nonverbal reasoning. This means that overall, people who play instruments have more improved brains and are more capable when it comes to things like school. Why is this?
Studies have shown that neurophysiological distinction is developed and trained when a child actively learns to play an instrument. These kids have learned to hear and interpret sounds uniquely because of their experiences of playing different instruments, which you can’t learn just by listening to music. Since your brain doesn’t fully mature until your somewhere in your twenties, playing an instrument when you’re younger helps your brain development because it rewires the normal course of neuronal communication to where it can more effectively connect the right and left hemisphere of your brain. This evidently shapes a brain that is more capable of absorbing and understanding complex information.
Playing an instrument can also help with stage fright. While playing an instrument does not mean that you have to go up on a stage by yourself, or even at all, it is very common to have concerts that demonstrate all the different things you’ve learned. While you are in a group and are not pressured with the factor of having to do something all alone, it still helps you get comfortable with performing in front of large crowds and can help you feel more confident when you present something. Some people even play a solo or play in a small group, which can be even more helpful towards your ability to present in front of people.
Even without all the benefits of playing an instrument, it is also just a fun and interesting thing to do. An instrumental class like Band and Orchestra can act as a break from all the essays and mathematics that come with school. These classes can offer ways to express yourself through all the music notes and rhythms, and can be especially fun when you get to play song you know or just love. Classes like these are also easy to maintain. While you still have different assignments that you have to do, as long as you participate and do your work, then you will most likely have an A in these classes.
Overall, playing an instrument can result in extremely enhanced abilities that can improve your overall academic performance and can just act as an escape from all the stresses that come over the years. Playing an instrument can give you something to be proud of and can boost your confidence. This is why I think you should consider joining a Band or an Orchestra, because they can be really fun classes and can even help you academically if you take your time and try your best.
