All of you amateur musicians may get a big payoff for your hours of practice. A study published in the April 4 edition of the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Neuropsychology found that people who engaged in some musical activity throughout their lives show improvement in those areas of cognition that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
In the study, researchers worked with a group of 70 people, between the ages of 60 and 83. They asked them to perform a variety of tests to measure certain types of short term memory. They found that those who had performed music of any type for 10 or more years scored substantially better than those who had no musical activities in their history. While those who played for fewer years still scored better than those who did not play at all, the study suggests that the longer a person plays an instrument, the more benefits they derive. Those involved in the study that no longer played music still had improved cognitive skills.
In addition to memory, music has been shown to have other anti-aging benefits. According to Dr. Suzanne Hanser, chair of the music therapy department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression. There is even some evidence that making music enhances the immunological response that helps individuals fight viruses. Musical activities also provide a way to meet new people, get exercise, and challenge the mind.
The health benefits of music have spawned a new discipline, called Recreational Music Making (RMM). Neurologist Barry Bittman, M.D. conducted a study on the benefits of RMM in which he defined it as the “enjoyable, accessible and fulfilling group music-based activities that unite people of all ages regardless of their challenges, backgrounds, ethnicity, ability or prior experience. From exercise, nurturing, social support, bonding and spirituality, to intellectual stimulation, heightened understanding and enhanced capacity to cope with life’s challenges, the benefits of Recreational Music-making extend far beyond music. Recreational Music-making ultimately affords unparalleled creative expression that unites our bodies, minds and spirits.”
So how do you start, or restart, you musical career in your middle or senior years of life? You can start by looking up RMM on the Internet. There are a number of community recreational music programs. There are a number of Recreational Music Making programs abound, including Weekend Warriors, New Horizons, and HealthRHYTHMS, and Wanna Play? all sponsored by NAMM, the National Association of Music Manufacturers. All are designed for new as well as returning musicians.
Making Music Magazine reports on “better living through recreational music making”. The online magazine reports on recreational music groups across the country, and lists band camps and other educational opportunities.
If your community does not have a recreational music program, you can start one. NAMM and many of the other programs have support programs and even trainings camps for volunteers who want to start a program in their community.
In the study, researchers worked with a group of 70 people, between the ages of 60 and 83. They asked them to perform a variety of tests to measure certain types of short term memory. They found that those who had performed music of any type for 10 or more years scored substantially better than those who had no musical activities in their history. While those who played for fewer years still scored better than those who did not play at all, the study suggests that the longer a person plays an instrument, the more benefits they derive. Those involved in the study that no longer played music still had improved cognitive skills.
In addition to memory, music has been shown to have other anti-aging benefits. According to Dr. Suzanne Hanser, chair of the music therapy department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression. There is even some evidence that making music enhances the immunological response that helps individuals fight viruses. Musical activities also provide a way to meet new people, get exercise, and challenge the mind.
The health benefits of music have spawned a new discipline, called Recreational Music Making (RMM). Neurologist Barry Bittman, M.D. conducted a study on the benefits of RMM in which he defined it as the “enjoyable, accessible and fulfilling group music-based activities that unite people of all ages regardless of their challenges, backgrounds, ethnicity, ability or prior experience. From exercise, nurturing, social support, bonding and spirituality, to intellectual stimulation, heightened understanding and enhanced capacity to cope with life’s challenges, the benefits of Recreational Music-making extend far beyond music. Recreational Music-making ultimately affords unparalleled creative expression that unites our bodies, minds and spirits.”
So how do you start, or restart, you musical career in your middle or senior years of life? You can start by looking up RMM on the Internet. There are a number of community recreational music programs. There are a number of Recreational Music Making programs abound, including Weekend Warriors, New Horizons, and HealthRHYTHMS, and Wanna Play? all sponsored by NAMM, the National Association of Music Manufacturers. All are designed for new as well as returning musicians.
Making Music Magazine reports on “better living through recreational music making”. The online magazine reports on recreational music groups across the country, and lists band camps and other educational opportunities.
If your community does not have a recreational music program, you can start one. NAMM and many of the other programs have support programs and even trainings camps for volunteers who want to start a program in their community.
