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There’s more to learning how to play an instrument than just making beautiful music. Learning to play a musical instrument can increase concentration and focus. It can help you improve your coordination, your listening skills, and also provides stress relief. Whether you want guitar lessons in Woodbury, MN, or violin lessons in St. Paul, the benefits of learning to play an instrument are well documented – not just in children, but in adults, too. The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument extend to people of all ages. For children, learning to play an instrument can: Teach Discipline and Patience Learning to play an instrument requires both discipline and patience. Children will learn these two skills in a fun way when discipline and patience are woven together with a neat toy -- an instrument -- and a simple goal like learning to play a favorite song. Increase Physical Skills Learning any instrument requires hand and eye coordination. Whether drawing a bow across a violin or plunking keys on a piano, music students must learn to read music while making the strings or keys sing. Improve Math Skills It may seem anathema, but music and math are highly related. Through music lessons, students learn scales, rhythm and beat. Through learning the scales, or musical steps, children begin to understand patterns. By understanding beats and musical measures, students begin to gain the skills necessary to divide and do fractions. Increase Social Skills and Fun Music is fun, and it’s also social. Children who learn to play an instrument have the opportunity to jam with friends in the garage, play in a school band or perform at small venues. Music is meant to be heard and shared. The benefits of children learning a musical instrument are well-documented, but researchers are only beginning to study how lifelong learning benefits older people. The things that happen in a young brain– like growing new connections and pathways – also occur in more seasoned brains. In one study, researchers from the University of Florida taught piano to adults between the ages of 60 and 85. Six months later, the budding instrumentalists showed improved verbal and cognitive skills. In adults, learning to play an instrument can: Keep Your Mind Sharp Research suggests that lifelong learning helps keep the older mind active. The benefits of lifelong learning aren’t limited to group classes. Adults can improve their focus and concentration by learning new things, like a second language or to play a musical instrument. Increase Confidence Experts have long known that accomplishing a goal leads to increased self-esteem and confidence. However, a growing set of research suggests that simply taking action towards a goal, whether you accomplish it, can do the same. If you decide to learn to play the violin, you may not be able to play Chopin right away. However, practicing and taking lessons will improve your confidence regardless of whether you ever join the symphony. Improve Memory Playing and listening to music stimulates your brain, which can increase memory. Researchers have long known that there is a significant difference in the brains of musicians and non-musicians. When you play an instrument, the part of the brain that stores memories grows and becomes more active. Build on skills you already have If you enjoyed playing piano as a youth, learning a second instrument will help you build on critical skills you may already have. You’ll upgrade your music reading and comprehension skills while learning something new. Learning to play a musical instrument is physically, mentally and spiritually beneficial to children and adults. Whether you’re taking guitar lessons in Woodbury, MN, or learning the ukelele from YouTube videos, learning to play an instrument can enhance your life.
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