Music and Aging: Can Learning an Instrument Keep Our Minds Sharp?
One of the fascinating things about music is how it pulls our whole brain into action. Think about it: when we play an instrument, it’s not just our ears at work. Our motor skills, vision, and memory all get a workout too. That’s why, over the years, researchers have come to see music as a unique way to study how our brains adapt and change—what we call "neuroplasticity."
So, it’s natural to wonder: if playing music can help our brains grow stronger, could it also help slow down the cognitive decline that often comes with aging?