Now that the back-to-school season has become little more than a formality, September is also, as every year, the essential moment to sign up for extracurricular activities, particularly artistic and of course musical ones. Music schools, conservatories, private teachers, online courses… Whether for children or adults, the choice of learning an instrument in order to join group music sessions and play with friends is vast. But really, what are the daily benefits of playing a musical instrument? While the list is long, we’ve picked out five that we think are particularly important.
Boost your memory
Learning an instrument—just like, to a lesser degree, dancing or learning foreign languages—is a fantastic way to develop memory skills, particularly visual memory. Even if at first it seems mysterious, musical notation has a magical quality: it encodes both harmony and rhythm. Perceptual memory, which draws on our senses, is highly engaged in music-making, calling upon sight, touch, and hearing. Some musicians—such as those playing wind instruments—can even sight-read and mentally transpose music on the fly. And just like learning to ride a bike, reading music is: “for life!”
Increase concentration
Playing in a group or performing solo calls on many skills, and one of the most crucial is concentration. Making music together—even in a duet—requires listening and understanding others. You’ll need focus to answer a musical phrase with a solo, to deliver a brass punch in a section, or to drop a drum break on a subtle offbeat. Mental concentration allows you to block out distractions while staying fully present in the task. This ability can then be applied to all areas of personal and social life.
Enhance sharing
Making music naturally encourages social interaction, especially for those who are less outgoing. In an orchestra, an ensemble, or even a choir, musicians escape isolation and share intimate moments with others. Much like in sports, the musician becomes part of a team. They share their passion through common goals such as attending rehearsals in preparation for concerts and performances. Sharing also extends outward—to the audience. Experienced musicians will tell you: “the joy of delivering a warm concert to an appreciative audience, spreading happiness, and creating unforgettable moments—that’s the real reward of hard work.”
Boost creativity
All forms of artistic practice aim to develop emotions, intuition, and instinct, while fostering creativity. In popular music, two complementary worlds come together in a song: the lyrics, carrying the message—be it poetic or political—and the composition, which wraps that message in a musical framework. There are many types of creators in music—songwriters, composers, arrangers, orchestrators—who differ from performers. Yet making music is open to everyone, regardless of level or budget, because all it really requires is your personality.
Reduce anxiety and stress
Scientific studies have proven it: making music reduces anxiety by lowering stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. The positive effects of music—whether listened to or performed—are even the basis of a field called music therapy. The therapeutic benefits of music go beyond reducing anxiety: they also help ease pain and slow cognitive aging. Drummers mastering polyrhythms by coordinating arms and legs, or guitarists singing while playing, develop undeniable skills that release stress…
No doubt about it: making music is one of the best ways to achieve personal and collective fulfillment, no matter your background, age, location, disability, or social class. For yourself or your loved ones—especially the youngest—wishing to experience the joy of playing music together means one thing: learn, play, improve, and above all, enjoy! As the saying goes: “Music soothes the soul…”
So whether you are an experienced musician, a parent invested in your children’s musical education, a music teacher, or a school director, you’ll find right here our selection of instruments, accessories, and audio equipment to help you start the school year off on the right note.
