Those of us who have begun studying a new instrument as an adult realize just how challenging it can be. The greater the challenges, though, the greater the rewards!
This article from our friends at The Violin Case highlights some of the health (“good for you”) benefits of playing music…and some of the just-plain-fun aspects, too. While the article speaks primarily of fine stringed instruments, the benefits apply regardless of your choice of axe. 
If you’ve been wondering if you’re too old to learn a new instrument – perhaps one you’ve longed to play since you were a child – wonder no longer! You are never too old to learn if the desire is there. The fact that it’s good for you is just icing on the cake.
All the best to you in your musical journey,
Mark
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Tags: adult, benefits, brain, health, instrument, Learning, music, new, social
Learning, Music and Health | Mark September 15, 2009 | 
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Something we all knew intuitively now has scientific backing (score another one for scientists!). It turns out that while loud music can make you deaf as a post, it also stimulates your brain. Stay with me here…
According to researchers at Manchester University across the pond, loud music causes a release of hormones that make us feel good. This explains why, after a no-holds-barred practice session, you feel so much better than you did beforehand. Between the joy of playing and the joy of listening, you’re good. Who needs a “runner’s high”? 
This article contains many assertions that challenge conventional wisdom, and as with all things research-related, future studies may refute many of these findings. But as Part-Time Musicians (PTMs), we recognize the truth in the ability of music to lift our spirits, to refocus us upon the good in life rather than the bad.
NOTE: Long-term exposure to loud music causes hearing damage. Protect your ears; you only get one set!
One quibble with the article:
“When these desires are satisfied, the brain is stimulated into releasing feelgood (sic) hormones that make us calm, happy and responsive. So to trigger a dose of happy hormones on a Monday morning, you should, in theory, choose Black Sabbath over chamber music.”
While the research seems sound, the Mail’s author seems a bit ignorant of the “rock stars” that exist in classical music. Black Sabbath is all well and good, but don’t discount the brain-stimulating power of cranking up some Tchaik.
Keep playing,
Mark
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This article by Dr. Maoshing Ni was forwarded to me by Chicago fiddler Chris Marshall (thanks, Chris!). While it mentions many things you can do to maintain or improve your brain functions, the excerpt below is sure to catch your eye as it did Chris’s and mine.
“Many people marvel that Asian children seem so intelligent. It could be because they use their fingers more frequently. They eat with chopsticks and at one time, they used to compute with an abacus in school. In fact, some studies have been done with children who use an abacus daily, and findings show that engaging the fingers stimulates nerve endings that go directly to the brain, increasing circulation. Take advantage of this by practicing motor activities that use your fingertips, like crocheting, knitting, and other arts and crafts where you are manipulating small parts. Try playing the piano or a stringed instrument.”
Somewhat depressingly, Dr. Mao indicates that the human brain starts to decline at a mere 30 years of age. The good news? There are ways to stay sharp, and playing music is one of them…so play on!
All the best,
Mark
Related articles can be found here. Please feel free to leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you!
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In case you didn’t see this, I just had to pass it along as well. Our recent discussions about how playing music helps build neural networks and assist with recovery from stroke and other brain trauma ties in very well, as do all those studies indicating higher intelligence levels and test scores among student musicians vs. their non-musician peers.
Click here to read the article. Then go tell someone how brilliant you are for playing music. 
Once you do that, encourage them to join you. Like all truly good gifts, the more music we give, the more we get back.
Keep playing,
Mark
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It turns out we here at PTM are just a bit ahead of the scientists…but they’re catching up!
Good friend John Kool passed along this article he ran across, and it’s both interesting and entertaining. It addresses music in the general sense, not playing specifically…but if just listening to good music can give you a cocaine-like high, imagine the rush you can get from playing it!
Turns out we really do have a playing addiction. Keep feeding it, folks; it’s clean, healthy, and cheaper than drugs…even if you are an equipment junkie.
All the best,
Mark
Related articles can be found here.
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Tags: addiction, addictive, brain, cocaine, dopamine, emotional, mesolimbic striatum, MRI, music, PET scan
Music and Health | Mark June 22, 2009 |
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