Learning in Retirement
It’s never too late to start Music Lessons
If you think you’re too old to learn a musical instrument, think again. At Resonance School of Music we have a rich community of retirees that are making music. While many celebrate childhood as the prime time for learning a new language, retirement presents a perfect opportunity to enroll in lessons.
Learning an instrument can still yield a variety of benefits. From enhancing your memory to boosting your mood, here are a few reasons why you should learn to play an instrument in retirement and why Resonance School of Music is the best Community Music School to join.
Music is A Stress Reducer
Whether you listen to classical music in the bath or enjoy listening to jazz while cooking dinner, listening to music can work wonders to calm you down and improve your mood. According to researchers, those effects are amplified when you’re the one responsible for creating those soothing melodies. Sitting down with an instrument is a great way to blow off steam, and some retirees even use music as a therapeutic tool.
Music Can Improve Memory and Hearing
In 2011, Northwestern University studied musicians between the ages of 56-65 and found that their auditory memory and ability to hear speech in noisy environments were better than their non-musician counterparts. The reason? According to researchers, music training actually fine-tunes the nervous system, leading to sharper hearing and retention. Not only that, but learning music is one of the best mental workouts available–like Sudoku on steroids. Learning something new, be it music or another language, stimulates the brain region responsible for memory and concentration. Plus, cognitively challenging activities are proven to have a positive effect on warding off Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
You’ll Meet New People
Life as a retiree can be challenging from a social perspective. Many individuals of retirement age are dealing with empty nest syndrome, and some may have even lost a partner or been through a divorce. Even if you don’t enroll in group lessons, you’ll still have a chance to meet new people. At Resonance School of Music our studios throw parties, open mic nights, or recitals so our students can mingle and get to know each other. Although your main interaction will be with your music teacher, after a while you’ll begin to meet other musicians who share a passion for your instrument or the style of music you play. Whether you invite your friends and family members to play with you, perform at community events, or learn an instrument with your grandchild, learning music is a great way to bond with those around you.
Music Can Kill Boredom
For those newly retired that aren’t living in a retirement home with tons of activities to take part in, ennui can quickly set in. Think about it: you’re accustomed to working 40+ hours a week, and now you have all that extra time to yourself. Unfortunately, those feelings of boredom aren’t as trivial as they may seem, and they can lead to restlessness, depression, physical deterioration, and loneliness if left “untreated.”. Playing a musical instrument is a great way to focus on something new and alleviate some of the boredom from everyday retirement life, which can be as dull as it is relaxing. Some people might look at learning how to play a musical instrument as an activity that’s best done when still a child, but when it comes to music therapy for retirees, it’s never too late to pick up a musical instrument.
