A Mighty Wind-Instrument, That Is
The benefits of playing a wind instrument include better breath control, better listening skills and relaxation.
When we talk playing an instrument, we often think of electric guitars, or keyboards. But one of the top ten instruments people love to play, four of them are wind instruments: the clarinet, flute, saxophone and harmonica. Makes sense. How many pianos do you see in a marching band?
Practicing and performing is enjoyable enough, but did you know playing a wind instrument (as well as singing) may help you sleep better, and even reduce snoring? We breathe more easily and efficiently because playing a wind instrument strengthens our lungs and respiratory system. Find out more here.
It also helps our immune system. When we learn to play an instrument, we often become inspired to create our own music. According to an article by Live Science, making music enhances the immunological response, which enables us to fight viruses.
In this time Covid, some people may worry a wind instrument may be a risky choice. Let’s allay any fears here.
Improve time management, and organization and math skills in addition to these benefits:
Stress relief: Playing music brings your energy and focus into a positive activity, which can help alleviate stress, which can help get your blood pressure and heart rate down to a healthy level.
Fine Hearing – Learning music refines your hearing skills by training you to isolate sounds as they occur. Studies show that musicians are better at picking out specific voices and sounds in a noisy environment.
Exercise – Playing an instrument naturally leads to increased physical activity. Whether you’re playing the piano, guitar, strings, or a wind instrument, you’re using your arm and back muscles to play and/or hold up your instrument. And if you play the drums, you even get to do some cardio!
Posture – Any good music teacher will correct your posture during lessons. This can help you get into the habit of sitting up straight and having proper alignment even when you’re not playing. These are all great ways to alleviate neck and back pain.
Mental Performance – Playing music is like doing a workout for every part of your brain. It helps improve your mental performance and memory. There’s even evidence that music can help a patient’s brain recover from a stroke, as well as slow the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Coordination – Using your fingers, hands, and feet in a rhythmic manner for a sustained amount of time, while also being conscious of playing the correct tones, can be a challenge for even the most coordinated people. Over time though, playing music refines your motor skills that go beyond the hand-eye.
Reading Skills – Reading music helps strengthen your ability to process information by creating new connections between the synapses in your brain. As a result, reading and absorbing information from other sources becomes a lot easier.
Listening Skills – Learning music doesn’t just improve your ability to hear details; it also makes you better at listening. Whether you’re practicing on your own or playing with other people, you have to listen for timing, expression, and whether you’re in tune. This can make you a better listener even in everyday conversations as well.
All those benefits are fine, but we play for the love of it. And here are five wind instruments to try now.
The harmonica is compact and portable, and an especially cool addition to any band.
1. Harmonica - Be it blues, jazz, rock, folk, or country music, the harmonica (also known as the “Blues Harp”) is a great choice for adult beginners. Plus, harmonicas are very portable — you can carry and practice it anywhere and anytime. Some famous players: James Cotton, Chryssie Hynde, Katie Couric. Yes, that Katie Couric.
2. Saxophone – a seductive, powerful and often tender instrument. I have fond memories of my older son rehearsing Satin Doll again and again. And again. Sax heroes include Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Joshua Redman, a virtual boys’ club. But no more since the likes of Melissa Aldana have joined their ranks as one of the greatest.
3. Clarinet – from Sharon Kam playing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto to Benny Goodman’s swinging stylings on St. Louis Blues, or Moonglow, the clarinet can create an uptown or downtown mood.
4. Trumpet – the stuff of marching bands, as well as improvisation – no one did it better than Miles Davis. Herb Alpert brought a distinct southern California, South-of-the-Border sound with his Tijuana Brass.
5. Flute – Again, memories of my little sister practicing, then later bereft at abandoning it. There’s another woman who can make a flute sing, none other than the bodacious and uber-talented Lizzo.
However you choose, at Stage Music School we want you to play for the love of it. And we’d like to show you how. Check out our award-winning instructors and talk to us today. Learn more about Woodwind Instruction at Stage Music Center
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