Learning an Instrument: Benefits for the Adult Brain

Why learning as an adult IS harder

Many adults, especially leaders, assume they “should” find learning straightforward because they are experienced and competent in their professional lives. But learning something new as an adult activates a deeper emotional journey. It requires the ability to control and then move beyond the real fear and shame that comes with being perceived as incompetent – a ‘learner’ or ‘beginner’. 

This is particularly hard for those who:

• Have been successful in life
• Are used to mastering complexities quickly
• Like or need to be in control
• Are in a competitive environment
• Need to maintain ‘face’ in front of their children, partners and colleagues

Learning involves making mistakes, which is inherently shaming

Here is where an in-person tutor is helpful. A good music teacher provides exercises at the appropriate skill level in a musical genre that appeals, supports the learner through the fear and shame, and encourages as appropriate. Learning online won’t provide this level of emotional support, although it’s useful for those who can’t access a human teacher, and actually may be more suited for improving technique rather than initial learning.

So Why Bother? The Reasons to Keep Trying

If it’s this hard to learn an instrument as an adult and to become proficient, why bother?

The answer is actually in the difficulty. Playing an instrument combines sensory and motor capabilities, inevitably coordinating left and right hemispheres and the prefrontal cortex, creating new synapses (neural connections) in the process.3 There is now powerful evidence of its positive impact on reducing and slowing the cognitive decline associated with aging in healthy individuals.4 These are powerful arguments in favour of learning to play an instrument at whatever age, when we are doing it through choice. It is a potent form of communication within families and even provides a bridge to your kids, upon whom you may have inflicted lessons (and perhaps even insisted they practice).

For leaders, these benefits can translate into sharper attention, improved emotional regulation, enhanced creativity and increased cognitive agility. The very qualities required to lead well in the work environment.

In this article, the focus is on brain and emotional health. The newspaper missed the cognitive benefits of learning an instrument beyond the science. In between the frustrations, it is often anchoring and calming, as we focus on the task away from everyday demands. It may become a joyful place for the player in an increasingly hectic and anxious world.

Most of us accept that we will never headline concerts, just as we will never play sport for our country. We watch, often in awe, as professional musicians seem to effortlessly deliver a hugely complex task that has taken them decades to master. The great news is we don’t have to be that good, (or pass Grades), in order to gain the cognitive benefits.

How to Get The Benefits With Less Frustration

This coach suggests that you choose a musical genre you love. Beg or borrow an instrument you fancy knowing how to play³. Buy or borrow some headphones and have a go. If you can afford it, buy some face-to-face lessons from someone who is both musically competent AND used to teaching adults.

This mirrors what we know from coaching. The journey starts (as always) with a first and single step with compassionate support.