Why Learn Music?
Learning to play a musical instrument is an activity that can be deeply rewarding for people of all ages. It can provide hours of pleasure and help build lasting cognitive skills and confidence.
Learning to play a musical instrument is an activity that can be deeply rewarding for people of all ages. It can provide hours of pleasure and help build lasting cognitive skills and confidence.
Music is an incredibly varied field and learning to play an instrument opens an endless array of opportunities to learn about music from all over the world. There will always be something new and interesting to learn to play, another new challenge to attempt, and new friends to make.
There is a wealth of peer-reviewed research showing the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument and participating in music-making activities. Below, I have curated key information about why music learning is so beneficial, at different stages of life with links to the academic research that backs these claims up.
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.”
Jump to: children ↓ | young adults ↓ | older adults ↓
Children - Early Years to Teens
For children, learning to play music is not just a potential source of great pleasure and pride, it is also an excellent way of helping to build the foundational architecture of their developing brains. For parents focused on giving their children the strongest possible academic start, regular instrumental tuition is one of the most effective investments that exists.
Science shows that music-making is far more than just a creative extracurricular activity; it is a rigorous cognitive workout that physically strengthens and connects the brain’s two hemispheres. The practice of reading music and playing an instrument directly enhances spatial-temporal reasoning—a critical mental skill required to excel in complex mathematics, science, and engineering.
Additionally, the auditory focus required for music accelerates reading comprehension and language acquisition, while significantly boosting overall IQ, working memory, and classroom concentration. Ultimately, music acts as an academic catalyst, equipping children with the essential brainpower, focus, and discipline needed to tackle demanding schoolwork, and subsequently a university curriculum with confidence.
“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.”
“Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.”
Young Adults - Professionals & University Students
Nairobi moves at an incredible pace. Between building a career, navigating university, and the constant digital noise of modern life, the "hustle" can be exhilarating but also exhausting. For young adults, learning an instrument is not just about adding another skill to your resume—it can be an opportunity to completely recharge away from screens.
When you sit down to learn a piece of music, you are forced to be entirely present. You can’t worry about deadlines or scroll through a feed. This state of deep, focused attention provides a profound mental break, naturally recharging your brain and helping to clear the fog of daily stress and burnout.
Beyond this mental reset, music-making is a deeply social activity. Whether you want to join a local worship team, jam with friends at the weekend, or just connect with Nairobi's vibrant creative community, playing an instrument opens up a whole new world of shared experiences and human connection.
Older Adults
Later in life, having stepped back from the most demanding phases of building a career or raising a family, learning to play an instrument offers a highly rewarding pursuit. Rather than just a pleasant pastime, engaging with music at this stage is a robust way to actively maintain and even develop new cognitive abilities.
The objective health benefits of musical training for older adults are well documented. The process of reading sheet music and translating those symbols into precise physical movements provides a comprehensive workout for the brain. This continuous neurological stimulation builds new neural pathways, which research shows is highly effective in preserving memory, maintaining mental agility, and delaying age-related cognitive decline.
Beyond the neurological advantages, music-making serves as a powerful means of social connection. Whether participating in a church choir, joining a community ensemble, or simply sharing music with younger generations, mastering an instrument helps individuals remain physically active, creatively fulfilled, and deeply connected to their community.