Why learn to play an instrument?

Why should I learn to play an instrument? Perhaps this is a question you’ve asked yourself before. You want to learn to play, but what reason do you really have aside from your sheer enjoyment of it? Is it really worth putting in all that time and effort when you could listen to music off Spotify using no effort at all?

There are actually many reasons to learn a musical instrument, from the positive effects it has on your brain to the physical skills developed through long-term training. Whether you are looking for lessons for you, for your child, or for someone else you know, there will undoubtedly be positive outcomes! But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s delve into what these benefits are:

Cognitive benefits

Innumerable studies have been done on the cognitive benefits that come with learning an instrument. And these aren’t just developmental benefits for children (though we will get into those in a minute). There are actually many cognitive benefits for adults as well! These benefits include increased dexterity, skills in listening closely and accurately, and even brain growth. This article by Sloan School of Music lays out 11 benefits of learning music for the adult student, and it explains how learning a musical instrument can reverse the course of brain shrinkage, instead helping your brain to continue growing for the remainder of your life! This means that learning an instrument is directly linked to maintaining memory, language skills, and more. No matter if you are 14 or 94, learning to play music will help you gain greater cognitive skills and maintain those into the later years of your life.

Developmental benefits

While it can be a struggle to get some children through lessons, those that stick with it will gain much more than just the ability to play a musical instrument. For instance, in a study done by Menglibekovich, learning to play an instrument showed direct correlations with developing long- and short-term memory, attention to detail and concentration skills, multitasking, problem solving, spatial reasoning, and motor skills (see article here for more detailed information).

Learning an instrument, particularly, allows children to visualize music and gain greater dexterity. In short, learning an instrument can help young children grow in both cognitive and motor skills, and the younger they learn to play, the better they will intrinsically understand music throughout the rest of their lives.

Musical benefits

While it may seem like a given, learning an instrument will also give you (whether you are young or old!) certain musical skills, and these are applicable beyond just the instrument you choose to learn. Would you like to have a better understanding of classical music? Or jazz? Would you like to be able to sing on pitch? Would you like to be able to keep rhythm? These are all things that studying music, in any form, will help with.

Studying an instrument in particular (as opposed to voice), additionally provides the opportunity to gain finger dexterity, multitasking skills, and music reading skills (voice students can, of course, learn to read music, but it is generally not prioritized as highly, as it is not necessary for a recreational voice student to be able to read music well).

Learning a musical instrument also helps you to gain an understanding of harmonization and music theory, meaning that you will learn skills in music creation, playing with others, and musical listening skills, all of which will be incredibly helpful to you if you enjoy music and would like to experience more of it in your day-to-day life.

Pure enjoyment!

And of course, there is great benefit in learning an instrument simply for the pure enjoyment of it. I could never over-emphasize this. I am a person who pursued my interest in the arts all throughout my childhood, and I now utilize the skills I gained through that pursuit in professional ways. Whenever I find myself in a conversation with someone else and it comes up that I teach piano, or that I love to dance, write, and more, the consistent response I receive is “I wish I stuck with that when I was a kid.” The thing is, I see absolutely no reason why you can’t continue to pursue your interests now. Even as children, participation in the arts often includes a pressure to pursue that art as a career. This means that many children drop music learning when the pressure becomes too much. Music is meant to be enjoyed and shared, and I believe wholeheartedly that anyone, of any age, should be able to find opportunities to learn what they love and share it with the world. Many people are quick to dismiss learning something just because they have no greater reason to learn it than simply wanting to. If you love something, go learn it! Besides, I just listed all the other reasons learning an instrument would be helpful to you, so now you can go learn with the confidence that it is far from a waste of time–it is a hobby that gives you mental and physical growth, greater cultural understanding and skill, and immense joy. So go learn! And have so much fun with it while you do!