Better Brain by Dr. Julie

Better Brain by Dr. Julie

Share this post

Better Brain by Dr. Julie
Better Brain by Dr. Julie
Should I learn a musical instrument to keep my brain healthy?

Should I learn a musical instrument to keep my brain healthy?

FAQ Series

Julie Fratantoni, PhD's avatar
Julie Fratantoni, PhD
Dec 04, 2024
∙ Paid
69

Share this post

Better Brain by Dr. Julie
Better Brain by Dr. Julie
Should I learn a musical instrument to keep my brain healthy?
5
7
Share
person playing piano

FAQ Series

I’m starting a new mini-series where I address some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to keeping the brain fit as you age. Enjoy!

Question

Response

Learning is beneficial and important to do throughout your entire life.

You get the most benefit when you’re learning something you care about, enjoy, and are curious about. If you want to learn the piano and enjoy it, great, keep at it. But don’t do it just because you think you should.

If you love learning about the brain and want to support my mission to make neuroscience more accessible, subscribe today!

The thing that makes musical training good for your brain is that you are engaging in learning. Learning increases neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change).

Learning comes in many forms:

  • Social learning (ex: meeting new people or checking in with friends and asking questions about their life)

  • Physical learning (ex: yoga poses, dance moves, tai chi)

  • Educational learning (ex: books, podcasts, seminars, workshops, documentaries)

The takeaway here is to find activities you are interested in and to challenge yourself to never stop learning (it doesn’t have to be an instrument).

Note: Depending on the season of life you are in, the amount you challenge yourself will look different. It’s important to discern if you should add something new to your plate, especially if you’re currently overwhelmed or stressed.

RESEARCH BREAKDOWN: What does musical training do for the brain?

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Better Brain by Dr. Julie to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Julie Fratantoni
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share