How Learning Music Can Help Keep Your Brain Young
At AS Music School, we’ve always believed that learning music is about more than just mastering notes and rhythms—it’s about developing skills that benefit you for life. Now, growing research is proving exactly that. Musical training can play an important role in maintaining long-term brain health.
In a recent article by Dr. Tommy Wood, the connection between creative activities and brain function is explored in depth. He highlights how playing musical instruments, dancing, and engaging in sports that require co-ordination are all linked to improvements in brain function. More impressively, these activities are associated with a lower risk of dementia.
One study discussed, “Creative Experiences and Brain Clocks,” examined how creative activities such as music, dance, and art influence the brain as we age. The findings were remarkable: individuals who had developed a higher level of expertise in these areas actually had “younger-looking” brains.
The study showed improved connectivity in important brain networks that are typically vulnerable to aging. In particular, the fronto-parietal network—responsible for attention, focus, and decision-making—was significantly stronger in those who regularly engaged in complex, creative skills.
So what does this mean for students at AS Music School?
It reinforces something we see every day in our lessons: learning music is one of the most effective ways to challenge the brain. Reading music, co-ordinating both hands, listening critically, and expressing emotion through sound all combine to create a deeply engaging mental workout.
Over time, building these skills doesn’t just make you a better musician—it helps support cognitive functions that often decline with age. In other words, every practice session is an investment in musical ability and lifelong brain health.
Whether you’re a beginner picking up your first instrument or an advanced student refining your technique, you’re doing more than making music—you’re strengthening your brain in meaningful, lasting ways.
If you want to read more, follow the link to the full blog post: Keeping your Brain Sharp