Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument – Selecting Musical Instruments

The piano is considered to be a percussion instrument.

​Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

As a child I took piano lessons and loved it. Until we could afford a piano I had practiced at our local church. Synchronized swimming was introduced to me and my interest changed. Later in life I took a few classes in drumming to understand assorted rhythms for my dance classes. While in college I selected voice lessons. I have always been surrounded by music or musicians for most of my life.

Listening, playing, singing, or dancing to or with musical instruments share many of the same benefits.

• Improves memory
• Improves coordination
• Is relaxing and assists meditation
• Relieves stress and tension
• Become more focused and improves concentration
• Able to be independent or work in teams
• Helps with socialization and communication
• Activates creativity and imagination
• Become more disciplined
• Builds self-confidence

I have found the above list to be true to my experiences and you are probably able to think of other benefits which you have discovered in your musical world.

A trombone and a clarinet are in the woodwind family.

​Types of Instruments

Regardless of the name of the instrument or what country they originate from there are four categories.

1. Percussion
2. String
3. Brass
4. Woodwind

Playing an instrument can be accomplished at any age. As adults we usually know what type of instrument we would like to play. However, if in doubt piano appears to be the instrument of choice for both children and adults. By tradition the piano is considered to be the foundation or starting point.

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The violin is in the string family.

​Selecting a Musical Instrument

Music appreciation begins in preschool or kindergarten where students have hands on experience with various types of instruments.

A child watching the instructor play a piano or guitar to lead the group may be influenced to try these instruments.

Children enjoy blowing whistles; perhaps this is an indicator that children who enjoy whistling will  be interested in woodwind or brass instruments.

Family members who play an instrument as a hobby or who are professional musicians will have strong influences over family members. The children who inherit genes for this endeavor have a head start created by nature.  

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The French horn, the trumpet, and the bugle are in the brass family.

​Non-musical families

Do not be discouraged if you did not inherit family genes for music. You are still able and capable to take part in musical endeavors.

To find what instrument is best suited for your personality type; try these ideas.

• Take quizzes which are available on the internet
• Visit a music store where you can sample instruments
• Speak with musicians and ask how they made a decision
• Try inexpensive plastic instruments
• Review videos​
• Parents observe your children's behaviors and guide them, however let the child make the final decision. Be prepared for your child changing his or her mind as they gain experiences with the different instruments. 

Child or adult, it is not uncommon to try different instruments before making a final singular choice. Sometimes several instruments may be selected.. 

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The doumbek, a popular Middle Eastern drumming instrument.

Personal Example

I selected the piano as a child
I tried a flute which my friend liked and discovered I did not have the lungs for it. 

As an adult I sampled the guitar, but the steel strings cut my fingers.

Later I enjoyed the drums because I wanted to learn different rhythms. Because I have participated in Middle Eastern dancing I played the doumbek in order to learn the different beats associated in this dance art. Many belly dancers have joined drum circles to better their understanding of the different beats in order to enhance their dancing and to enable a more accurate dance display with musicians during live stage performances.. Musicians appreciate the professional belly dancers who have mastered the beats.  

I am not a musician but I do respect people who have mastered playing one. The main importance of your selection is that you love it and you enjoy it. 

Are you having problems selecting a musical instrument? Learn more about instruments here. .Are you interested in other hobbies? Click here.

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