Music: good for your health!

Today’s news included an interesting article entitled The power of music: It’s a real heart opener. While many people know how relaxing it can be to listen to “good music” – the definition of which changes from person to person, and even with each person’s mood at the time – we part-time musicians also know how calming and therapeutic it can be to sit down and play good music.

Running through some pieces at the end of a tough day can really improve a person’s outlook; it can also work on a much greater scale. After a recent surgery, I found a great deal of diversion in practicing guitar and trying to learn viola (many thanks to my family for their patience during the viola practice, BTW). The music, bad though it was at times, helped me focus upon something other than my day-to-day progress and how I wished it were faster!

One practicing tip that helps foster those good feelings: whether you’re “on” or “off” in your practice session, end with something fun. Yes, you’re allowed to have fun; that’s why they call it playing an instrument and not working it! Ending with something rewarding makes the entire session, whether five minutes or two hours, just feel good. And that’s why we play, isn’t it?

If you have anything you’d like to add or a personal experience to share, please do so by posting a comment or dropping us a line. In the meantime, keep playing!

Mark