Playing a musical instrument is a common hobby, especially among children, teens and young adults. A series of surveys asked 3,000 U.S. citizens about their experience with musical instruments as kids and whether they still played their instrument. The surveys found that 66% learned to play an instrument at some point. However, most adults no longer play the instrument they learned — in 2018, only 9.66% of adults between the ages of 30 and 49 had played an instrument in the last 12 months.
According to YouGovAmerica, many Americans who never learned to play an instrument wished they had. These respondents noted that “it would have benefited them in life.” Unsurprisingly, there’s truth to the statement. Learning an instrument and playing regularly has many mental and physical benefits. It can increase your quality of life, strengthen your brain and improve your physical health.
Mental health effects of playing an instrument
Playing an instrument has tremendous effects on your overall mental health. Plentiful research shows that music and instruments can train your brain to be faster and healthier. Here are some of the long-term effects that playing an instrument has on your mental health.
Improves and strengthens the mind
Training your mind to hear music, recognize patterns and memorize notes can have amazing long-term effects on the brain. A study published in 2021 found that musical training can improve the brain’s neuroplasticity. This means the brain is better able to adapt, heal, recover and learn. It’s essential for healthy aging and can even combat cognitive decline and slow down the effects of dementia.
Learning to play an instrument can also improve your memory and concentration. Think of playing an instrument like a gym for your mind. When you force yourself to focus as you learn a new instrument, your mind will become more capable. You’ll find it easier to focus and memorize new subjects over time, even if they aren’t music-related.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Another benefit of learning and playing an instrument is that it may decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Music can release dopamine in the brain, which makes the body feel relaxed and at ease. As a result, practicing an instrument daily will lead to lower stress levels.
Improve listening and reading skills
Reading sheet music is like learning a new language. To the untrained eye, sheet music is a blur of unrecognizable symbols and shapes. But, as you learn to recognize these shapes, you’ll become a better and faster reader overall.
In addition, playing music requires a unique listening ear. You’ll have to learn to recognize the difference between notes and isolate specific sounds. For example, a study found that musicians are better at hearing specific sounds or voices in a noisy room.
Physical health effects of playing an instrument
Although the mental benefits of playing an instrument are undeniably positive, the physical health effects are both good and bad. As a result, musicians and music students should monitor their physical health and take the necessary precautions to ensure they get the benefits of playing music without suffering the drawbacks. Here’s how playing an instrument affects your physical health.
Oral health effects
Some instruments, specifically wind instruments, can negatively affect oral hygiene and health. For example, playing brass instruments requires the musician to press their tongue against their teeth or the roof of their mouth. For short musical sessions, this won’t have any long-term effects. However, holding this force for prolonged periods may change the shape of your mouth, loosen teeth or shift your teeth.
Poorly cleaned brass and woodwind instruments are breeding grounds for bacteria. Musicians must blow into the instruments, which collect spittal. If the instrument isn’t regularly cleaned, mold, yeast and bacteria can build up, leading to cold sores, asthma and illness.
Before playing a brass or woodwind instrument, meet with a local dentist to discuss the pros and cons of learning the instrument. In addition, your dentist can help you find a proper acrylic guard that can protect the soft tissue of the teeth.
Skin and bone health
Your facial skin is sensitive and prone to acne breakouts. Poorly maintained and infrequently cleaned instruments that touch the face can increase acne breakouts, especially in teens. Skin infections are common around the lips of woodwind and brass instrument musicians, and violinists are prone to acne around the cheek and chin area. Individuals with metal sensitivity can also experience reactions to brass instruments.
There are positive bone health benefits associated with playing a musical instrument. Many instruments require your hands and fingers to stay strong and flexible, which can keep osteoporosis at bay. In addition, a 2008 study found that music can also increase growth hormone levels, which can help injuries heal faster.
Heart health
Because playing music can decrease stress levels, your heart health will also benefit. As your stress decreases, your blood pressure lowers, which puts less strain on your heart. Some studies have found that singers, pianists and other musicians had lower blood pressure and heart rates than the general population.
Hearing effects
Music has positive and negative effects on your hearing. As mentioned earlier, learning to play music will fine-tune your listening skills and make it easier to pick up on minute sounds. However, if you’re playing loud music, you can suffer long-term side effects such as tinnitus.
To avoid damaging your hearing, monitor the volume of your instrument or avoid loud instruments such as drums. You can also purchase specific headphones that will prevent hearing damage.
Is playing an instrument good for your overall health?
Overall, playing an instrument is good for your health. You’ll see many great mental health benefits with limited drawbacks to your physical health. In addition, you can avoid the physical health drawback entirely by keeping your instruments clean, meeting regularly with your dentist and monitoring the volume of your instruments.
Playing an instrument with a pre-existing condition
Some individuals may experience difficulty playing instruments if they have pre-existing health conditions that limit their movement or affect their mouth or teeth. For example, individuals with arthritis may have limited mobility in their hands and joints. However, this doesn’t mean they are unable to learn new instruments. Instead, simply start slow, and the regular movement of the hand joints may decrease the arthritis symptoms.
Before playing an instrument that directly aggravates a pre-existing condition, meet with your doctor or dentist. Your healthcare professional will be able to find the best solution and allow you to take advantage of the benefits of playing an instrument without the drawbacks.