Do you dream of learning a new instrument as an adult? It’s not too late.

Research shows 9% of Americans learn how to play instruments as adults.

The violin is an especially excellent instrument to practice playing if you’re 18 years old or older. Let’s explore six incredible benefits of adult violin lessons.

1. Physical Benefits

Trying to lose weight? Playing the violin counts as part of your exercise regimen! That’s because violin playing burns calories.

Playing this instrument is an excellent workout for your right and left hands’ small muscles.

The faster you play notes on the violin, the more you’ll improve your fine motor skills. These skills refer to your ability to use your wrists’ and hands’ small muscles to create movements.

Fast note playing will also build your finger dexterity. This is your ability to manipulate controls or handle small items using your fingers.

Holding your violin bow properly will strengthen your hand, too. You might even eliminate some of your arthritis pain when you learn to play the violin. That’s because violin playing can strengthen your fingers’ muscles and make them more agile.

Other physical benefits of violin playing include the following:

  • Upper body strength
  • Balance
  • Posture

Your endurance and muscle tone may even improve when you play the violin. This will result in a healthier lifestyle and body-mind alignment, leading to a better quality of life long term.

2. Life Lessons

Another benefit of playing the violin is it will teach you dedication and patience.

Learning how to read music and play the violin can be rewarding, but you won’t master it overnight. The learning process is slow and methodical, requiring repetition and thinking.

Focusing on violin playing may eventually help you slow down and live in the moment. You may not need instant gratification as much, and when you experience it in other areas of your life, it might seem more rewarding.

3. Social Opportunities

Yet another reason to play the violin is it will help you meet other people and develop new friendships. It will build your rapport with other people and your social confidence.

Violins are melody instruments, so you can play them by themselves or with other instruments, like cellos or even other violins. Playing this instrument with others is a great way to create beautiful and fun live music. You’ll also enjoy engaging with other people who love music as much as you do.

Don’t have time to meet with others for an in-person jam session? Schedule an online jam session with friends and family using Zoom, Facetime, or Skype. This experience may feel larger than life, particularly if you’re playing your favorite genre of music.

4. Building a Habit

Violin playing will teach you how to build a healthy, beautiful habit.

You won’t improve your playing without steady practice. Consistent practice will lead to gradual progress, so avoid missing practice days if possible.

5. Emotional and Creative Outlet

Playing your favorite song on the violin can be the perfect way to end a grueling day at work. Playing this instrument is a convenient way to decompress and express yourself.

You’ll eventually gain the skills you need to play a tune for every mood you’re in. This may help you release stress and emotions.

Having trouble playing the correct notes and making appealing sounds using the right techniques? Don’t worry about playing every note perfectly when you begin playing the violin. Focus on having fun.

Playing the violin can be relaxing and satisfying when you focus on portraying and creating emotions and characters for other people to hear.

6. Mental Benefits

Hobbies like violin playing may keep your brain from deteriorating as you age. That’s because learning a tricky finger pattern is like trying to say a tongue twister with your hands: It stimulates the mind.

Practicing the violin strengthens your brain functions. It can also improve a person’s hand-eye coordination, your ability to use your eyes and hands simultaneously.

Practice an etude, a short musical piece focusing on a couple of specific techniques, if you want to challenge your brain even more.

Additional Mental Benefits

Violin playing may help you manage your anxiety, improve your self-control, and fight depression. That’s because playing a musical instrument releases dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” chemical messenger, which helps you feel pleasure.

This means violin playing can spark positive emotions, which your mind needs to be healthy.

Learning how to read music and play the violin may also enhance your communication skills. Your long-term and short-term memorization, writing, and reading skills might even improve. This may lead to better test scores in college and improved job performance.

Other mental benefits of violin playing include better focus and a higher mental processing speed. Your processing speed is how long it takes you to perform mental tasks.

Experiencing the above-listed benefits will boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. You can expect to feel good, smart, and happy when you start playing the violin.

Adult Violin Lessons

Adult violin lessons are a wonderful way to work out your hands’ muscles and stimulate the brain. Violin playing will also teach you the value of being consistent and persistent. Playing the violin gives you an outlet for expressing yourself, relieving stress, and socializing with others, too.

At the Music Arts Center of San Antonio, we offer high-quality violin lessons. Our other music lessons include piano, voice, and singing lessons.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our lessons, and sign up today!