The Top Benefits of Playing an Instrument

Thinking of learning to play an instrument? The possibilities are vast, from the piano and drums to the more unique sounds of the oboe! Perhaps, you’ve recently been inspired by a live performance or heard a really interesting guitar riff that you would love to master.

Well, brace yourself - as with any new skill, learning an instrument is a lot of hard work. It’ll take time to master too!

The plight of mastering a musical instrument might make you feel frustrated or hopeless at times. Maybe that’s why you are here. You’ve fumbled a chord one too many times and now you are looking for reasons to continue. Well, our advice is to stick to it! You’re special for getting this far and now, perseverance is key.

Here are a few benefits to playing an instrument that will hopefully convince you to press forward on your musical adventure:

Nurturing Creativity

Whether you’re jamming with friends or tackling a challenging musical piece, playing an instrument sparks your creative side. Even if you're working on a well-known tune that’s been done a thousand times, add your own flair! Composers may have their vision, but that doesn't mean you can't put your unique spin on it. Go wild, and make as many mistakes as you like. Don’t be afraid to make music that feels right to you, that’s how you’ll become the next great!

“Works of art make rules; rules do not make works of art” - Claude Debussy

Meeting New People

Consider joining an ensemble, like the school orchestra or a local band, to meet new, like-minded people. Playing with others not only enhances your teamwork skills but also cultivates relationships and leadership qualities that future employers value highly.

The largest part of an orchestra is the strings section so if you’re hoping to find lots of new friends, we suggest picking up the harp, violin, viola, cello, or bass!

“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” - Roy Ayers

Having Fun

Remember, the essence of learning an instrument is enjoyment! If a hobby feels like a chore, it's no longer a hobby. Playing an instrument shouldn’t feel like an obligation. Even when it gets a bit tricky, try to focus on what you’re achieving rather than the fact that it’s not fun right this moment.

Playing an instrument will stimulate your brain and an active mind is a happy mind! Studies show that playing a musical instrument positively impacts mental health by increasing feelings of relaxation and happiness.

“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.” – John Lennon

Achieving Something Great

Playing an instrument not only instils confidence and pride in yourself but others around you will be wowed too. Imagine the thrill of your first show, picture the faces of your loved ones brighten when you strike that first note. A feeling like that should be bottled and sold!

Persevering even when things get hard, even when you make the same mistake over and over will make your eventual achievement even sweeter.

“You build on failure. Use it as a stepping stone and close the door on the past. Don’t try to forget the mistakes, but don’t dwell on it.” - Johnny Cash

Building Confidence

Playing an instrument is a form of self-expression and getting comfortable with expressing yourself is no easy feat. The more you develop the skills, the more likely it is that you’ll be expected to play in front of an audience, perhaps at a recital or concert. Plus, if you’re moving through the grades, you’ll need to play as part of an exam. All of this is extremely useful for building your confidence.

"Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you're doing. If you're not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it." - Aretha Franklin

Now, you've got five awesome reasons to stick with your favourite instrument or even start from scratch. And did you know that almost every county has an ACF musical unit? So you can learn an instrument and join in on band adventures, both here in the UK and even abroad.