Music Makes me Happy: the Harmonious Path

The Intrinsic Benefits of Playing an Instrument

Have you ever wanted to become smarter while taking part in a fun activity? Joining a band or even just playing an instrument can be beneficial in many ways. Despite the reasons for not joining the band, learning to play an instrument is essential because it boosts your IQ, makes you more confident in yourself, and can also help with stress.

Boosting Your IQ through Musical Training

Playing an instrument can boost your IQ.

“Scientific research has proven that musical training builds intellectual skills, raises IQs, increases spatial-temporal intelligence, improves memory, and develops creativity (Fonville).” Playing an instrument reshapes your brain by making areas that control things like memory and hearing larger and more active. Playing an instrument or even just listening to music makes your brain release an increased amount of BNDF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CREB (camp response element-binding), and synapsin 1, which all make you stronger and smarter. It also helps with things like improving your attention span and making you more self-disciplined, which can help you academically to do better on tests and assignments in school. As you start to learn more about playing an instrument and become smarter doing so, your confidence and self-esteem begin to improve as well.

Building Confidence through Musical Skills

Playing an instrument can help improve your confidence. “Once you are aware that you are able to do something well, like play the flute, for instance, you naturally become more confident of your skills (Mahadevan Academy).” When you learn to play an instrument, then you get a sense of achievement which improves your confidence. Playing in a band also increases self-esteem because every band member is important in order to make the band sound good. As you start to become more confident about playing an instrument by yourself and with a band, you won’t get as stressed over concerts and performances.

Utilizing Music as a Stress Reliever

Joining the band helps to reduce stress. “Playing music can help with stress, insomnia, and depression because it acts as an outlet for difficult emotions (Dias).” Playing an instrument acts as therapy for many people because it allows them to express emotions and creativity by playing beautiful music. Being in a band also allows you to meet new people and make new friends.

Some people say the band is too hard, but this is not the case. Nobody is an expert at playing an instrument when they first start; you have to practice for a long time before you get good at playing an instrument. However, practicing the instrument for that long teaches patience, and you learn a lot about reading music, following a conductor, and teamwork by working with the band, “You have to be disciplined in order to master playing your instrument. You have to set time each day to practice, practice and practice some more (Estrella).”

The Numerous Benefits of Playing an Instrument

Joining a band or playing an instrument can help you in so many ways. Everyone should learn to play at least one instrument at some point in their life. The band can help relieve stress by acting as therapy, boost your confidence when you finally play a song all the way through without messing up, and raises your IQ by reshaping certain parts of your brain. If you want to improve your life, go to a music store and pick up an instrument today.

References

1. Estrella, Elena. “The Discipline of Mastering a Musical Instrument.” Music Mastery Magazine.2010.
2. Mahadevan Academy. “The Confidence Boost from Learning an Instrument.” Music and Psychology. 2020.

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