Learning to play a new musical instrument usually has the reputation of being a young person’s game. Just like learning a different language, learning to play an instrument is generally seen as something someone does during their formative years. Any delay in the beginning will be seen as leaving the aspiring musician hopelessly behind. However, as more adult music lessons are being utilized, the idea that making music is for kids is fading.

In fact, adult music lessons have become a growing trend as of late, with more adults making music a serious part of their lives. But what is driving this trend? What reason do these people have for turning to music later in their lives? The answers might surprise you and inspire you to start your musical journey.

5 Reasons Now Is the Time to Start Your Adult Music Lessons

More Time

For many adults, finally turning their attention to making music is pretty simple: they didn’t have time before. Our lives are so full that, for many—between work, kids, and spending time with their significant other—there really isn’t much “me-time” left over. Add to that the simple fact that, while adults can learn to play an instrument just like younger people, it can take a little bit longer, and time can become a serious issue.

But as many adults reach the end of their careers, they find they have more time. And they want to spend on the things they’ve always wanted to try.

And this can be an advantage over younger students. Adults tend to set the bar for themselves rather high, but they also have a better sense of themselves.  They know how they learn best and tend to be more motivated than their younger counterparts. The brain tends to be a little more “plastic” in youth, allowing children to pick up skills faster. Still, adults are much better at controlling their impulses, seeing the “big picture,” and understanding key musical concepts, like scales and chords, and how they relate. Adults may learn a bit slower, but all their extra life experience is beneficial.

Health Benefits

One of the more important reasons people start adult music lessons later in life is all the health benefits it brings.

Music has a fantastic influence when it comes to boosting your brain. Music engages the part of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating events in our memory. Each of these areas helps with cognitive ability away from the music room. This also helps boost general memory; studies have shown that musicians have a better “working memory” (what used to be called “short-term memory”) than non-musicians.

On the physical side, music can trigger the brain to release chemicals that distract the body from pain. Music is soothing and helps with relaxation and stress. It has even been shown to help the body recover from illness and injury faster. This is thought to be thanks, in part, to music’s healthy effect on blood vessel function, helping them to open and allowing for an increase in blood flow and circulation.

Lastly, music offers several social health benefits for adults as well. Meeting new people and forming new friendships can be hard later in life. However, music classes are low-pressure places where people with similar interests can meet. On top of that, there’s a special social satisfaction that comes from working with a group towards a common goal, an activity many older adults no longer have in their lives.

Emotional Equilibrium

In addition to its physical health benefits, music’s emotionally therapeutic virtues are also well known. Playing music serves as a powerful method of stress relief and creates a feeling of balance and calm. For many adults, music lessons become a safe space—a sanctuary even—where the noise of daily life fades away—at least for a short time.

A New Challenge

Some people come to music simply for the challenge of it. Imagine an athletic and competitive adult; someone who plays tennis and likes horseback riding, for example. People like this have a tendency to challenge themselves regularly. For many, learning to play music can be a new challenge.

Learning to read music is so much like learning to read a new language that a background in linguistics can help, and the coordination required for many instruments might be challenging for even an accomplished athlete. Take the drum kit as an example: each hand and each foot is doing something different from the other. It’s both physically and mentally challenging, requiring critical thinking, a strong sense of rhythm, and the courage to try.

Just the kind of challenge you might be looking for!

The “Bucket List”

Learning to play an instrument may be a dream that first comes about in childhood, but countless people grow up never letting go of it. Before long, it’s a dream that they may have felt passed them by or an itch they never scratched, so they add it to the list of things they want to do before their time is up, so to speak.

No matter the reason you have to take up music lessons as an adult, don’t let the lifetime spent not playing be the reason you don’t take up music. The process may be slower, but given enough time and dedication, any music student of any age can catch up with their younger musical peers.

Adult Music Lessons at The Music Studio

Want to reap these benefits for yourself? The Music Studio offers a wide range of adult music lessons and classes! Check them out and sign up today!