8 Reasons for Music Lessons! (From Bravo Music)
For both children and adults, taking a music lesson is an enriching experience, and here are 8 reasons to try a lesson!
1. Music builds language skills.
2. Music improves the learning process in other academic areas and spatial/abstract skills.
3. Music teaches discipline.
4. Music supports muscle development and motor skills and develops strength and coordination.
5. Music improves social skills.
6. Music makes kids (and adults) feel good about themselves.
7. Music helps us understand culture.
8. Finally, music brings joy!
Playing an Instrument: Better for Your Brain than Just Listening
Playing an instrument may be one of the best ways to help keep the brain healthy. “It engages every major part of the central nervous system,” said John Dani, PhD, chair of Neuroscience at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, tapping into both the right and left sides of the brain. For example, playing the violin – which, like many instruments, requires the right hand to do something different than the left– uses the peripheral nervous system, which controls movement of your fingers, as well as gross and fine motor skills. The brain’s executive function – which plans and makes decisions – comes into play as a musician plays one part but keeps focus on what’s coming next. Couple that with the total sensory input – visual, auditory, emotional and all at the same time – and it becomes a total “workout” for the brain. “Recent studies suggest that music may be a uniquely good form of exercising your brain,” he said. “Fun can also be good for you.”
Click here to review the entire article from Penn School of Medicine.