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Health Benefits of Music


by Timothy Owen


For many children throughout history, playing a musical instrument is as normal as playing sports or learning to read and write. Many schools offer music lessons as part of their compulsory curriculum and many offer after school lessons for a variety of instruments. Quite often, the extra-curricular lessons are free of charge and instruments can be borrowed, meaning that all children have the same opportunities to learn an instrument. Unfortunately, not all school pupils take advantage of these opportunities, and sadly this often something that many adults regret in later life.

Playing musical instruments across the board, some more obvious than others. For many children, playing an instrument at school opens a whole world of opportunities. Firstly, it offers a social gain. Taking lessons with groups of like-minded children can be an enjoyable experience for your child and close friendships are often formed. Even out of school, many groups of young people choose to show off their musical talents by forming bands.

Performing in front of an audience is a daunting prospect for many people, but performing from an early age can boost confidence and this can be taken forward into a whole host of situations in later life.

But apart from the obvious benefits that can be gained from learning to play a musical instruments, recent studies carried out in the University of Kansas have revealed that there are significant health benefits to be gained, particularly neurological. According to the studies, elderly people that have played an instrument to a substantial level and for a number of years are less likely to develop neurological diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. It is said that people that undertake musical activity throughout their lives are more likely to have prepared their brains to cope with the deteriorating effects that come with old age.

Keeping an active brain can help to slow down the effects of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and a great way of doing this is by carrying on playing musical instruments. Apart from within the school, there are many ways in which you can introduce your child to the world of music. Several musicians such as Stephen Baron have set up schools especially for young musicians.




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