Learning to play an instrument takes hours upon hours of determined practice. This doesn’t go without affecting musicians’ mental and physical health.
Playing an instrument is special because it is a form of art that is only heard and cannot be seen but still entertains the same. Playing and learning an instrument can help students develop a healthier lifestyle, especially when it comes to their mental health.
“It helps clear my brain in a way that helps me express my feelings and thoughts,” freshmen band student Sam Sickler said.
Sickler furthers that just playing an instrument helps significantly reduce his stress levels. This mental stimulation has a large influence on daily tasks, making them less hectic.
“A lot of people who are musicians tend to have higher test scores,” Music Director Erin Armstrong said. “They tend to do pretty well academically, and they learn to have that drive and the self-discipline to do well.”
A study performed at the University of Georgia on children ages 7 to 17 discovered that students who take part in music classes have exhibited several beneficial behaviors, such as improved problem-solving, time management, enhanced social skills and self-awareness.
According to Armstrong, in addition to strong values and self-discipline, instruments also provide teenagers with a sense of belonging and community.
“I mean friendships and your sense of community, your sense of belonging,” Armstrong said. “I think it gives people a safe place.”
Instruments have also helped with finger and hand-eye coordination. Those who play instruments are more likely to have better reflexes than those who do not.
“The ability to simultaneously use different fingers to play a comprehensive piece of music greatly increases a child’s fine motor skills as well as their overall coordination,” stated an article in Coastal Kids Pediatrics.
Overall, playing instruments helps musicians find peace, self-reflect and think in a more clear and organized manner.
“There are times when music has been so rewarding and something that I’m always finding something deeper in,” Armstrong said.
