The Undervalued Role of Music in Adult Lives

There are countless articles and posts about the benefits of playing an instrument as a kid: research has proven that music education enhances a child's math skills, organizational abilities, self confidence and general intelligence.   




But the benefits of playing an instrument are not merely developmental.  Music benefits adult life as well.

Here's how: 
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Learning to play an instrument in adulthood has been associated with improved long term memory, as well as reduced risk of heart disease.

Playing an instrument has also been shown to provide a healthy therapeutic outlet that encourages both emotional expression and healing.

Adult music education is inherently social, connecting the adult student with both a musical mentor and a large community of listeners and fellow musicians.  Researchers agree that social connection is a major factor in keeping our brains healthy. 
 
The insight provided by the study of international music, from Bach to Reggae, rap to Native American songscapes, can enrich and expand the adult learner's cultural intelligence, improving cross cultural, as well as cross generational, understanding.

Whether taking up an instrument learned as a child, or learning to play for the first time, an adult who plays a musical instrument is always learning, always improving, always challenged with new goals, never bored - a great antidote to mid-life  malaise. 

In other words, the benefits of playing a musical instrument are not just for kids.  

If you are considering returning to that instrument you once played, or would like to learn an instrument for the first time,  here’s how you can get started. 

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