I think it’s common knowledge that listening to music is great for our brains. It’s the reason why it makes us happy or sad depending on the genre or mood of the music as it strikes our emotions.
But researchers have also found that learning to play a musical instrument is like giving your brain a full body workout. That’s because playing an instrument requires every part of the brain to work together. It requires the involvement of the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). While the brain is processing sound, the motor systems in our brains also have to control sensory information such as fingers, hands, and arms.
In fact, studies show the benefits of playing musical instruments help your brain more than any other activity. The following video by Anita Collins explains why fireworks go off in musicians’ brains when they play and the long-term positive effects of learning to play an instrument.
Watch how playing an instrument benefits your brain…
As a musician, I’ve noticed how my own memory has benefited from playing guitar from a young age and look forward to playing for the rest of my life. Please share how playing an instrument benefits your brain with your friends and family.
