How playing an instrument benefits your brain - Anita Collins

There is an observable difference in brain activity between playing an instrument and actively listening: link to this video The activity of playing is unlike other skills based learning, including other arts. All this is in the video. It’s the intersection of applying ephemeral knowledge (music theory, intuition for what sounds good) and active muscle memory building. Personally, since picking up guitar and piano during lockdown, I’ve definitely noticed I’m faster at pattern recognition, more readily see simpler solutions to logic problems, and can find focus and flow with less effort. I did play saxophone from 5th grade on, but quit after HS; I was playing music before that too. The years in between…

…ic. Learning a musical instrument fosters connectivity between both sides of the brain in a way no other skills based learning does1. I credit musical instrument skills for the abundance of creative energy I feel. That I spend time on daily or I feel depressed and “off”. And a fresh sauce makes boiled potato taste like Michelin star cuisine. 1 link to this video…

Learning an instrument is the only skills based learning that activates both hemispheres and eases their collaboration: link to this video Other skills, tested via imaging, seem to dominate one side or the other.

Me too! What to play next occurs to me and my hands just do it. Have not checked if this Ted talk1 holds up but for me playing instruments is very unlike anything else. Woodworking and cooking, while I enjoy them, do not have the same holistic euphoria to them. 1 link to this video