WHY STUDY MUSIC?
It's a question I hear often: why invest time in learning to read musical notes and mastering an instrument? In a world where we can instantly enjoy any song, anytime, anywhere, the idea of dedicating years to instrument practice might seem puzzling.
For me, the joy of learning new music and delivering live performances is unmatched. Collaborating with fellow musicians to create artful expressions is not only rewarding but has also forged lasting friendships. Many of the friends that I feel lucky to have had for decades started with a musical collaboration.
However, there's more to the story. Recent studies reveal a growing body of evidence suggesting that playing an instrument can significantly enhance brain function.
When you play a musical instrument, you're engaging your brain in ways that other activities simply can't replicate. The insightful graphic below, courtesy of Encore Music, illustrates how the brain lights up when you play even the simplest of melodies. This unique brain workout offers benefits beyond the realm of music, impacting various cognitive areas.
Why get a degree in/study the arts? In her piece "Art Is Pointless," Jasmine Kay Uy creatively answers this question:
The late GREAT Tony Bennett died in July, 2023 at the age of 96. Tony’s performances and recordings are legendary! I was lucky to see him perform at the age of 89 at the Hollywood Bowl with Lady Gaga, and it is a performance I will always remember. Many people may not know though that he had Alzheimer’s disease for the last few years of his life. While he could no longer remember a performance that he had given at Radio City Music Hall in 2021 just a few days before, when the lights and the music came on, he remembered every word and melody, sang the songs with passion, and left every member of the packed house wanting more. Researchers are studying the impact of music and memory. The benefits that we experience from active engagement with music are known to musicians, but are now beginning to become more widely known.
In the TED video below, Anita Collins talks about how multiple areas of our brain are engaged when we listen to music. When we play a musical instrument though, Collins offers it is more like a "full-body brain workout."
Click on the pictures to read more about the many personal and professional benefits that come from music instruction. In addition to being fun and personally rewarding, there are many long-term benefits for our brains as we age well into adulthood.
