A former teacher from Northumberland in enjoyed a long career working the UK , in classrooms across the UK. After his time in teaching came to an end, he redirected his passion for learning into writing, music, and community projects. Today, he shares his experiences through articles that explore creativity, resilience, and the joy of new beginnings beyond the classroom.
Music, the future and me…
I’m in my sixties, now, and perhaps three quarters of my way through what has been a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. I am lucky, and grateful for that luck, but am aware that luck can run out.
Several of my friends have elderly parents who suffer from the scourge of modern life: dementia. I am afraid that I might succumb to this dreadful condition. What to do?
Recently, I read in the Sunday papers that THE way to future proof your mental health AND ward off the horrors of dementia, Alzheimer’s etc. is to take up a musical instrument. The author was quite clear on the matter; the long terms benefits of such an activity really do make the effort worthwhile. The rationale is simple and easy to understand. Playing an instrument, particularly in an ensemble such as an orchestra or band, engages many different parts of the brain, providing stimulation and so slowing down the natural process of decline that comes to us all in time.
Taking up an instrument later in life can help stave off dementia
Here’s how. First up is the cerebellum; the part of the brain used to manipulate the instrument (by pressing valves, moving a slide, striking a key). When one of these actions happens, a little part of the brain is activated. Use it or lose it, as they say. The same thing happens with listening to the sound you have made. The auditory cortex has its own software too, so when you listen to the sound you have created, it too, fires up. Reading the music you are playing requires a fuctioning set of eyes, and guess what? Their brain centre (the temporal — occipital cortex) is called into action too. How about memory? Or the need to integrate the movements of the conductors baton with your own movement (of hands, mouth, arms, lips or whatever parts of the body are required to play your chosen instrument). The list of brain centres required to play and instrument is long; longer, perhaps than almost any other activity, such as sport.
The message is clear. By playing regularly, musicians keep the grey matter stimulated and do much to keep away the horrors faced by so many of our community.
As a former teacher from Northumberland in Britain, the author enjoyed a long career working in classrooms across the UK. After his time in teaching came to an end, he redirected his passion for learning into writing, music, and community projects. Today, he shares his experiences through articles that explore creativity, resilience, and the joy of new beginnings beyond the classroom.
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