By Ellie Carter

From the bright, rhythmic tunes of modern pop, to the moody melodies of grunge/alternative, there is truly something for everyone in music today. Learning an instrument allows you to be a part of it. 

Learning an instrument is incredibly helpful for mental health, creativity, and patience. Given the incredible benefits, everyone should try to learn an instrument at some point in their lives. 

Music provides a creative outlet, allowing you to channel your emotions into something positive and beautiful. 

“I feel that it’s a way you can express yourself, like things you can’t express in words you can express in music,” said Rozzie Line, an aspiring professional musician. 

Conveying sentiments into music enables you to release them. In fact, it has been found that music improves brain chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin, which both are involved in improving mood. Also, when someone is focused on playing a piece, they don’t think about any other pressures, which relieves stress and anxiety.  “When playing music, it is possible to achieve a unique sense of peace,” said Daniel Barenboim, a famed pianist. 

Besides self-expression, music can support creativity. 

“Music listening may be useful to promote creative thinking in inexpensive and efficient ways,” according to a study done by UC Berkeley. 

And this study was just about listening to music; imagine the benefits of both playing and listening! If someone participates in a group, whether that be a band, orchestra, or something else, those peers can inspire you too. Not to mention that those people will also provide a wonderful sense of community. 

Some people choose not to try out an instrument because they think it’s too much work. Admittedly, studying most instruments takes a lot of time and energy. Even once someone masters an instrument, learning a piece takes work. However, this effort has shown to benefit patience and perseverance because the musician continues to try. Once someone understands a piece, it is beyond fulfilling, and the confidence that comes from it helps endurance in other subjects as well. If someone is concerned about price, many community bands and orchestras are free to join, and second-hand and rental instruments are relatively affordable. 

Music inspires, enlightens, and supplies incredible benefits. B.B. King said it best,  “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”