5 Benefits of Playing the Guitar

1. It Improves Your Concentration

Learning to play an instrument is not easy – it requires a lot of concentration. It’s easy to slip up and play a wrong chord, especially if you’re focused on other things like reading music or finger placement. Taking lessons and playing guitar regularly will increase your concentration and reap rewards in other areas of your life. According to the American Psychological Association, playing an instrument as a child sharpens your mind as you age.

2. It Improves Your Memory

According to the University of Zurich, playing the guitar stimulates the parts of the brain responsible for cognitive and muscle memory. So by practicing the guitar, you are doing useful brain training and improving your memory.

3. It Improves Your Multi-Tasking

There are many techniques to remember when playing the guitar, so guitarists are often good at multitasking. You have to read music on the guitar, move your fingers in position, play the right notes, read ahead, stay in time and listen to the music. These elements rewire the guitarist’s brain to become better at multitasking, an ability that is useful in all areas of life.

4. It Builds Your Confidence

Ruining a piece you’ve spent ages trying to perfect or creating a masterpiece from scratch should boost your confidence. Playing guitar in your spare time will give you a sense of achievement and satisfaction outside of work and help your creative brain develop. And finally, this new skill will make you feel confident.

5. It Makes You More Disciplined

Mastering the guitar takes persistence and determination. Many people start playing as a hobby and stop because it’s the easiest thing to do. Being strict with yourself and making time to practice will make you more disciplined and that will help you in many ways besides playing the guitar.