Why you should take guitar lessons…seriously, go sign up…right now
Is taking guitar lessons right for you? Short answer – yes. Now, I know what you might be thinking. It’s too late for me, I’m too old to take guitar lessons. Or I’m too young to take guitar lessons. Or I don’t have enough talent. Or even, I shouldn’t waste my time with it – my life is too busy as it is! Well tell those voices in your head to shush, because you’re about to realize why you shouldn’t let any of those excuses stop you from doing what you’ve always wanted to do – take guitar lessons. Okay, time to look at the long answer:
Playing the guitar has many benefits, and I’m not just talking about making you look wicked cool (though that is certainly a plus!). One amazing benefit of playing the guitar, or really any instrument for that matter, is that it is good for your brain. Neat, huh? Who knew that you could be smart and cool?! Several studies show that the study of musical theory in all its lovely algebraic complexity, combined with the practice of painstaking coordination needed to strum and construct chords on the strings of a guitar, leads to increased cognitive function. Think of all the things you would be able to accomplish with that added mental dexterity! School work, work projects, and Sudoku may not instantly become a breeze, but you will certainly see improvement over time. Not to mention, your memory retention will get a good work out as well! Knowing your songs by heart is a great asset to your brain as well as your performing career.
Not only can playing the guitar boost cognitive function, but it can also contribute vastly to your overall mental and physical well being. Research suggests that regular practice of a musical instrument, such as guitar, can relieve stress and lead to the production of “pleasure” chemicals in your brain. So, basically, playing the guitar will not only keep your brain sharp, but it will keep it happy too! Your body will thank you as well, because when your mind is doing well, many aspects of your physicality follow right along with it. Less stress can reduce tension headaches as well as unnecessary muscle tightness. You’ll also get your heart rate up, improving physical health and stamina, when you practice or perform because you’ll be strumming and standing for long periods at a time. Yes, believe it or not, standing actually increases your heart rate when compared to sitting! Time to get together that band you’ve always dreamed of starting to get in some practice/performance hours!
Okay, so we’ve established that guitar playing can improve your clarity of mind and improve multiple aspects of your well being – let’s talk about how taking guitar lessons will improve your social life. Yep, you read that right. Now maybe you’re thinking that’s odd because, hey, don’t you need to spend a lot of time alone to practice your guitar? Well, yes. But don’t forget that during all that alone time working on your craft, you’re practicing for a reason – to be able to create beautiful music and share it with others! Performing your new found skills in front of your friends and family is one of the most rewarding experiences for a musician. Not only will you be able to spend some more time with your friends and family when sharing your music, but you’ll also be able to meet lots of great new people. From performing in a band (if that is your goal) to getting solo gigs, you’ll be meeting lots of audience members – aka potential fans- as well as fellow musicians. Some of the best and deepest friendships are rooted in a mutual interest, and what better interest is there than music?
Alrighty, let’s see – increased mental dexterity, less stress, more happiness, meaningful time with family, and the potential for lots of new friends. Sounds pretty good, huh? And really, those aren’t even all the things that make playing the guitar so great. For some things, you’ll just have to take the plunge and discover for yourself. Finally ready to put aside those excuses and go sign up for some guitar lessons? Contact Green Room Music Studios today to get started.
