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Why Music? Why not?
By Sharon Hopper
Senior Scribe
I have been watching the Andre Rieu concert on public Television, and I
have been wondering why we don’t participate in music like the
Europeans? Maybe it is because we are afraid to try
something that is new to us. Well I want to let you know that today is
the perfect time to start the hobby of playing music. One
of the excuses I hear most is “ I am on a fixed income or I am too old
to learn, or I have no musical talent.” Well in this article let
me attempt to sway you into a new consciousness of learning.
The truth is that Learning to Play an instrument is good for us.
Lets take a look at a few facts: Playing music will make you feel
better, lower your blood pressure, increase your mental
functions, decrease anxiety, increase hormones that help you stay
younger longer, and in general it is just plain enjoyable. Why in
the world would you not want to participate in such an overwhelming
plus in your life? There are many studies that you can read and study
on the internet promoting the benefits of learning an instrument during
the years above 50. In fact you can start at 80 if you
wish. There are thousands of sites on the internet as to the benefits
of seniors learning to play music. And the beautiful part of this
exercise is that it does not matter if you become proficient in
playing, but the process of learning is the key to the benefits your
body and mind will enjoy.
The Yamaha study, The Roland Wellness Study and the study of many
doctors all reaffirming the benefits of music in one’s life. Listening
to music can be very therapeutic, but the function of actually learning
and playing is far more impressive. I have the permission of a couple
of people I have worked with for the past and I would like to tell you
their story. A few years ago I had a lady student who was approaching
her 80th birthday and all of a sudden had a mild stroke followed
by some mini strokes. She was unable to play her organ and for
that matter was limited in many activities. But the stubborn person
that she was, she decided to try to regain the mobility in her body.
She started playing her organ every day and swimming for exercise. It
was only a couple months and she was back in class. She absolutely had
problems with playing but little by little she started to regain her
dexterity and mind/hand co-ordination. Everyone who was in her class
was amazed at the progress she was making and when I left her she was
playing better than ever and she was always telling people… “if you
don’t use it you will lose it.”
Jean is an absolute example of overcoming adversity by using a hobby
rather than medical therapy to improve her situation. Just a few months
ago I heard that Jean is still doing rather well for a 90 year old.
We often go to the doctors and take lots of pills that only cost us
money and actually can damage good parts of our bodies. And the cost in
dollars is often very high.
“Research has proven that exposure to music at an early age can
profoundly affect a child’s development. Now, new studies show benefits
for senior citizens as well, with music helping to improve their health
and well-being. Research shows that teaching healthy elderly people to
play music decreases their anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Almost everything is involved in musical skill – physical
coordination, mental concentration, memory skills, visual hand and eye
co-ordination. The entire brain is involved in making music. Every one
of those black dots on a page of music is a set of instructions to a
group of muscles. When an older person takes up an
instrument, they cannot fail to improve their lives. They may never get
to Carnegie Hall, but they cannot fail. Age is not a barrier to
learning and learning keeps the mind and muscles alert. The activity of
play music exercises the brain. Sounds can also positively change your
brain.
One doctor reports that a half hour of playing or practicing music
produced the same effects as TEN MILLIGRAMS OF VALIUM! Americans are
known to have more health problems than most Europeans, especially
heart and stroke, and even many types of cancer. Maybe the love of
music is part of the key.
Hey, people you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying
this new hobby. So Get Going! Why Music? Why not?
Sharon Hopper is a
Teacher, Performer and graduate of Roland Academy of Beneficial
Learning of Music
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