Violin

The violin is one of the most widely recognized musical instruments among children and adults of all ages and has been treasured by many since the 16th century. It is of course a beautiful instrument, both to look at and to listen to. There are many benefits of learning the violin.

Physical benefits include arm strength, improved finger dexterity, improved posture and better coordination and motor skills. Mental benefits include improved concentration, greater perseverance, sharpened memory, enhanced self-discipline and boosted academic skills.

Albert Einstein often spoke about his love of playing the violin, stating that he was at his happiest when playing. He quoted: “If I were not a Physicist, I would probably be a Musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. I get most of my joy in life out of music”

Piano

Many a research has proven that playing the piano is good for a person’s health and overall well being whether he or she begins piano as a child or as an adult.

Playing the piano can increase cognitive development. Numerous scientific studies have shown that producing music stimulates the brain in ways that almost every other activity cannot. Neurological pathways are connected while playing the piano that can then be utilized in other disciplines, such as mathematics, science and engineering.

Eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills are also developed..

Playing the piano (like any other instrument) requires a certain amount of dedication. Regular practice sessions each day will instil discipline in an individual that can then be applied to many other areas of life.

Music itself can reduce anxiety and stress. Sitting down to play a piano for even a few moments on a busy day can help the mind refocus: relieving stress and even lowering a person’s blood pressure.

Playing the piano can also affect the mental health of an individual. Social pain, such as loneliness can also be battled when playing a piano.

Conclusion

Learning new things keeps your brain sharp. One of the beautiful things about learning an instrument is that there is always room to learn more! From new pieces, new songs, new strumming patterns, you can always find something to push yourself to learn.

There are no ill effects from learning an instrument, but the benefits are good for the body and mind of any individual. Playing an instrument allows for both strict discipline and unlimited creativity. All this is found in an activity that can be done by any individual with a desire to learn, regardless of age or intellect.

Viola

Playing the viola in some ways is similar to the violin, offers similar benefits and is a skill that offers a lifetime of enjoyment. The viola is a very versatile instrument, which can produce a beautiful sound as a soloist or form part of a supporting and enhancement to an orchestra.

The Viola has a very unique role within an orchestra and requires a different set of skills to a violin. By supporting the harmonies within an orchestra you will develop gifts of working with others that will serve a person or child well into their adult life in their vocation and in family life.

Playing viola in an ensemble requires a selfless attitude, supporting with harmonies, without it, the performance suffers and no one will want to listen. This methodology transfers directly to the job market. Companies and associations need members who possess both the willingness and the propensity to work well with others. By highlighting this aspect of your years playing the viola, you gain an advantage over other applicants.

Guitar

Playing guitar helps in enhancing your brain to function via initiating signals that subconsciously commands your hands to memorize where to place your finger on a certain fret or right chord.

This is very similar to playing piano and even typing whereby you know without even thinking exactly where or when to place your fingers on certain keys naturally.

The guitar is a very portable and versatile instrument! It can be played alone, or with a group of people, as part of a rhythm section or accompany vocals.

Whether you play electric or acoustic guitar, you will look awesome with a guitar strapped to your body!

Drums

Playing the drums is a lot of fun, whether you play it as a professional or amateur. You can be silly or be strong, you can play with different rhythms an you an collaborate with different instruments.

Most people will agree that playing the drums requires a lot of coordination! You are required to focus on one pattern with one hand and a different rhythm with your other hand. You create different sounds with different hands at the same time. All this means you are you are going to enhance your coordination overall.

Drumming helps to develop creative skills. It encourages you to be creative with sounds, rhythm and movement. It is a great workout and can help relieve stress. Rhythm, and more specifically the act of drumming, has been shown to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol. Drumming can give you energy, can relax you and can help you blow off steam, resulting in a more healthy mood.

Drumming can sharpen your concentration. You have to truly focus in order to play the drums. With your arms you are actually doing several things at once while your feet do something different and your entire body needs to keep the beat. Not a simple task. Learning the drums will help you train your mind to focus intensely on several tasks at once while also using your body. And you can use that concentration for almost anything.

Drumming also improves your reflexes, as you require extremely quick movements of the hands, fingers and feet in order to maintain the beat and work on several different tasks at one time. By training your body to excel at drumming you will simultaneously improve your reflexes, as your body will be more accustomed to quick, repeated movements.