New Year's Resolution: Play Music!

As we near the end of 2017, a lot of folks are probably thinking about what they'd like to do differently in the coming new year. If one of your goals is to learn how to play an instrument, you're in good company! Many people start taking music lessons at the beginning of the year.

However, if you're still on the fence, there are so many good reasons to learn an instrument!

1. Playing music makes you a better reader! That's right. Learning to rapidly read the language of music helps your brain process written words in your native tongue. You'll get quicker at reading and sharper, more thorough comprehension of what you read. For more information on this, visit Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075843.htm

2. Learning an instrument exposes you to history and culture from all over the world! Inevitably, as you're learning new pieces of music, you'll find composers you really enjoy. Many beginner piano books, like the Schaum series for instance, have interesting blurbs that tell the history of the composer or the piece at the top of the page. These are fascinating bits of information to know (and help you dominate at Trivial Pursuit!).

3. Your hands, arms, and fingers will be stronger and more dexterous. You'll love the gains you'll see in your typing skills, crocheting ability, and your thumb war championship ring collection! ;)

4. Playing an instrument improves self-discipline and is super rewarding! By practicing music daily, you commit to the process of learning and improving. The gains you see will be slow and steady, but they will happen. Before you know it, you'll be learning songs that you've always wanted to play on piano, guitar, or whichever instrument you choose. And you'll have gotten yourself there by sticking with it!

5. Music is awesome for stress relief! When you've had a rough day, what better way to leave your cares behind than to immerse yourself in a beautiful piano piece? Nothing relieves stress quite like rocking out on your favorite guitar song. Using music as a way to cope with life's stresses will help your psyche, and as a side benefit, your skills of self-expression will expand too!

I could go on and on about the benefits of playing music. There are WAY more than what this short list covers. But if you want to find out for yourself, we're offering a special through January at Summit Academy of Music. If you sign up for piano lessons by January 31, you'll receive the first 2 lessons FREE. Contact us today.