Every year, thousands of children begin their musical education all over the country. For a portion of these young musicians, this will be something they carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

Become an Adult Beginner

It is a popular belief that in order to become truly great in something, you must start young. If you begin in adulthood, you will never be able to catch up. Well, I am here to tell you that this is false! You can begin studying an instrument at any age. Some say it is more beneficial to learn a new skill at a later age. With this in mind and a little practice, learning an instrument as an adult can be a very rewarding skill. 

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to continuously adapt and form neural pathways due to the introduction of new stimuli and experiences. This process stays active for your entire life. Learning an instrument makes use of a function called structural plasticity. As soon as you pick up an instrument and make your first sound, your brain begins to adapt to this new stimulus. The more you practice, the stronger these neural pathways become. Overtime, through study, these pathways become more and more dominant. Whether you are in school, joining your first ensemble or an adult searching for a new hobby, this process will occur and you will be able to learn a new skill.

Benefits of Learning Violin

Self Discipline

As an individual advances in age, they become more disciplined. If you begin an instrument as an adult, it is likely you will advance at a faster rate then a young beginner, due to developed self discipline. Additionally, a sense of motivation will be stronger, due to this decision being one that you have made on your own. 

Social

Social opportunities are abundant when learning an instrument! Between receiving music lessons and joining ensembles, there are multitudes of opportunities for you to go out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Maintaining a social life is extremely beneficial to mental health, providing a decrease in anxiety and depression and increase in self esteem and empathy.

Self Improvement

An important aspect of learning a musical instrument is taking the time to practice, meaning you are placing time in bettering yourself. In addition to acquiring a new skill, you will be filled with a sense of accomplishment as you progress.

Remember, You are a Beginner!

You may feel uneasy with the idea of starting something new, but you only regret the chances you don’t take! If you start today, you will only get better and better as time progresses. Many spend their whole lives wishing they were musically inclined, and you have the opportunity to make it your reality. With adulthood comes the freedom to choose how you wish to spend your time, and learning an instrument is a wonderful way to use it.

Article written by Erica Garcia