For many individuals, playing music is more than simply a past time, it is an utter passion that delivers a true sense of accomplishment. As an avid musician, I try to make time for my passion on a daily basis and find a sense of regret, and lack of productiveness of the days that I don’t.

The feeling of achievement isn’t the only thing an accomplished musician gets out of their music though. Turns out, music plays a more pivotal role in the well-being of those who indulge in it. Below are some of the things I have noticed in my own time playing, as well as some more tangible benefits I have come to hear about.

Passion

The first component I feel compelled to discuss is the sheer passion I find in creating music. Everyone has their own hobbies, and for musicians, playing the piano or strumming a few notes on the guitar is one of the most relaxing things we can do. For example, small time musician Alex Dev describes why she does music in this musician interview.

Conversely, not everyone creates music themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t kick back and enjoy their favorite tunes. For example, how often do you find yourself driving home from a long day of work and unwinding to your favorite Chili Peppers album? Or the latest single by Adele?

Self-Expression

In a world where conformity is the number one rule, being able to express yourself through the joys of music is a priceless asset. Whether you feel at home while listening to death metal, or a kicking back to your favorite sonnet by Beethoven, leave the real world behind and express yourself through your favorite band.

For those of us who create music, however, sometimes that expression comes in the form of a story. I often discover a new meaning in songs I have been hearing for years once I take the time to listen to the lyrics. And when I write my own songs, it’s a nice way to release some of the tension I might have, or tell a little story if I should feel so inclined. Often times, this is can be my most trusted outlet.

Improving Your Hearing

Not all musicians have great hearing (Beethoven was completely deaf in his later years), but playing music does wonders to improve your hearing. While playing, musicians can pick out a wrong note, or an off-tone vocalist in an instant. This helps in their own playing, because most musicians I know are complete perfectionists.

Musicians also have what I call selective hearing, and the more you play, the better it gets. For example, as a percussionist, I can often listen to a song and isolate the drum tracks from the rest of the song in my head. A horn player may be able to do the some thing in their heads wen listening for the horns in a symphony. It can be a pretty cool feature to have.

Go read the Benefits of Music part II.

Guest Post: Trevor Blackman is a self-proclaimed online entrepreneur, who also enjoys the musical arts! He spends countless hours playing his guitar and dabbling around on the piano. Sometimes he even torments his neighbors in the late night hours with his 8-piece drum set! He is the founder of social interview website www.FruitoftheWeb.org, where he interviews musicians discovered on YouTube. In his spare time he loves to play with his dog, Henry.