6 reasons why it’s not too late to learn a music instrument

Have you been considering piano lessons? Or a self-learning journey with a relative’s old guitar? Be it a new year’s resolution to pick up a new hobby, or a lifelong dream in your bucket list — we’re here to tell you why it’s never too late to start to learn a music instrument. 

1. Music enhances your memory

A study by Stanford has shown that learning a music instrument can stimulate areas of your brain that are involved with focusing, predicting, and updating memories. Over longer periods of time, music engages your brain and contributes to how your brain polishes up on its ability to retain information. Another study involving adults aged 60 to 85 (with no musical experience!) showed how a few weeks of music lessons improved their verbal fluency and processing speed.

Though it’s no sure solution, there’s no denying all this research showing how constant exposure to music can enhance your memory!

2. The connection between music and your wellbeing

Throughout adulthood, responsibilities with your career or family may restrict you. Only until after you find yourself settled down might you finally consider doing something for yourself. Learning something new out of your own personal interest contributes to a sense of meaning in the world. Like belongingness, participation, and involvement. 

Numerous studies have researched and proven the positive effects of art education on individual wellbeing, most of these finding that music-making in all its forms and participation contributes positively to one’s happiness. This makes learning a music instrument quite literally the act of chasing happiness. 

3. It's hard work, but it's not impossible to learn a music instrument

We believe that learning a music instrument is like learning a new language. Something that is effectively taught to be easier done during one’s childhood. There’s no denying that anything picked up during your formative years will often be easier retained. However, like the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, hard work applies to everyone for every skill, no matter what age you’re at!

Making a move, no matter when you do it, is the first step to mastering a music instrument. There is no better time than now!

4. Online resources are just one click away

We’re blessed to be living in a technologically advanced where learning a new skill is just a Google search away. 

The Soundbrenner Blog is one hub you might want to consider getting started on. Looking for online resources to learn music instrument theory? We’ve got it. Don’t know how to structure your practice sessions? Got you covered! Need inspiration to get started on your self-learning journey? We’re here to help.

If you’re a visual learner, you may want to check out Soundbrenner Learn on the Metronome by Soundbrenner app. Featuring professional instructors from different musical backgrounds is a must. You can learn just about everything from odd meters to life-changing practice of music instrument techniques. 

The Internet is abundant with millions of resources waiting for you to try out! You may even find that you enjoy the process of searching for educational sites as much as the learning itself.

5. Technological advancements have greatly enhanced the learning process

Combining online resources with innovative tools can significantly assist your learning process. 

The Soundbrenner Pulse is a great place to start if you want a simple but smart device to help you. When you first start learning a music instrument, the Pulse can help you with building and strengthening your sense of rhythm through internalizing the beat. Even after you’ve passed the beginning stages of mastering rhythm, the Pulse can be used during practice sessions and gigs to support you with feeling the beat. 

Innovative music-tech companies are on the rise, so take advantage of this and supplement your learning sessions with useful tools.

6. You only live once

As cliché as it is, you really do only live once. Whether you’ve just reached adulthood or have been gracefully aging for some time now, the opportunity to learn will always be waiting for you. If you have the resources to start to learn a music instrument, why not start now? 

If all you’re waiting for is a sign to get started, here it is — Your life is yours to live, so go and learn the piano! Take those violin lessons! Pick up that guitar! And always remember that every master was once a beginner.