Health Fair Project

Benefits of Playing an Instrument/Singing

By Lila Schroeder

Poll

Who creates and reads music by either playing an instrument or singing?

• I don't play/sing yet!

• I do, but I don't play/sing very often... yet!

• I do, and I play/sing all the time!

​Cognitive Benefits

• Improves memory function

  • Uses logic-based parts of brain & parts that control creative tasks

• Directly correlates to academic success in kids & adults

  • Abstract reasoning

  • Problem solving

  • Ability to retain

  • Decision making

​

• Finding community

  • Ensemble/chamber group

• Teaches patience

• Music appreciation

• Time management skills

​

​Lifestyle Benefits

• Increases happiness (endorphins)

• Reduces pain (neural pathways for pain = same for music)

• Reduces stress (cortisol)

• Self expression (interpreting music)

  • My experience with opera

​

​Mental Health Benefits

• Strengthens muscles

  • Core + posture for singers

• Good for lungs 

• Boosts your immunity

  • Increases immunoglobulins (help fight off germs and bacteria)

• Faster reaction times (coordination + focus)

​

​Physical Benefits

Quiz Time!!!

Multiple Choice

How does creating music reduce pain?

• Reduces cortisol production

• Music same neural pathways as pain

• Music uses multiple parts of the brain

• https://capricciocolumbus.org/

  1. Can join low skill youth/adult choirs in Columbus

• I recommend starting with the ukulele or piano if you want to start learning an instrument

  2. Ukulele: can buy a beginners book or just learn chords and songs using the internet

  3. Piano: I recommend buying an adult beginners book - actually learn to read music and not just copy hands for full benefits!

• Not interested in learning, but want to connect to music?

  4. Capitol University right here in Bexley many great performances

​Resources if you want to explore more

​Works Sited

• Levitsky, Mike. "Piano Power." 16 Benefits of Playing an Instrument, 13 Mar. 2019, pianopower.org/16-benefits-of-playing-an-instrument/. Accessed 18 June 2024.

• Merit School of Music. Healing Benefits on Brain and Body of Playing Instruments. Merit School of Music, meritmusic.org/how-playing-an-instrument-improves-health-wellness/. Accessed 14 June 2024.

• The Sloan School of Music Team. "5 Ways Learning an Instrument Can Improve Your Mental Health." Sloan School of Music, 22 July 2020, sloanschoolofmusic.com/improving-mental-health-musical-instruments/. Accessed 14 June 2024.

Thank you for listening!