10 Reasons Why You Should Play A Musical
Instrument
1. OPEN A CAREER OPPORTUNITY…
Learning a musical instrument can open a door of great career opportunities for you. If
you have a gift of teaching, speaking, or performing, music may be a great career path for
you. There are many career avenues to pursue in the music industry, and learning to play
an instrument can provide a financial opportunity, while also allowing you to do
something you enjoy.
2. CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS…
Not only can learning an instrument bring you a career opportunity, but it can also be a
great way to meet new people and cultivate relationships. Life is not about going out and
making friends; it is about going out and being a friend. Many lifelong friendships can
be cultivated while learning an instrument as you share a common interest with the other
person.
3. EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS…
Learning an instrument can help increase one’s level of knowledge. Every person has a
small part of the brain called the motor cortex. This is the creative, musical, and
performing arts part of your brain that helps enable you to dance, play an instrument, or
even perform acting! Regardless of the instrument, a student will strengthen this part of
the brain. There has been proven research that music has helped students improve
academically. According to a study, physician and biologist Lewis Thomas discovered
that music majors scored the highest reading scores (“The Case for Music in the
Schools,” – Phi Delta Kappan, February 1994). Additionally, music can help kids
understand math and fractions more effectively. Studies have shown higher test results
when playing a musical instrument (Neurological Research March, 1999).
Chris Lavidas, Chief Music Officer of BGM, Inc.
 1325 E. Davis Street, Suite B, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
 Phone: 847-749-0137, Fax: 847-483-9198
 Email: chris@breakinggroundsinmusic.com
www.breakinggroundsinmusic.com
10 Reasons Why You Should Play A Musical
Instrument
4. BUILD UP YOUR CONFIDENCE…
Because of the uniqueness and creativity of music, many people perceive playing an
instrument as “cool”. Games like Rock Band and movies like School of Rock have
influenced many people of all ages to learn an instrument. With this said, learning how
to play an instrument can help develop a student’s confidence level, and help individuals
discover a talent they once thought they never had. We all need encouragement in life,
and music is a good way to build up a student’s self-image.
5. LEARN TO BECOME MORE DISCIPLINED, RESPONSIBLE, AND
ACCOUNTABLE…
While music is fun, it is also a responsibility and commitment on the student’s behalf.
Students develop self-discipline skills by learning the importance of maintaining a steady
practice schedule. They develop basic skills such as being responsible by promptly
attending each lesson, staying organized, and coming prepared to proceed with new
material. The success of a student depends solely on the student. The harder they work
and stay focused, the more they will achieve and stay motivated. Therefore, lessons can
be a great way to improve these important life qualities, which will help build structure in
other areas of life.
6. PROVEN HEALTH BENEFITS…
Did you know that a drummer can burn as many as 500 calories playing the drums for 90
minutes? Did you know that playing any instrument can help release the endorphins in
your body, which will result in reduced levels of stress? Playing a musical instrument
has countless health and medical benefits. It can help in anything from coordination to
cognitive thinking to reducing levels of depression. There have been countless research
studies done by medical doctors and universities on the importance of music in one’s life.
Playing an instrument can keep a person healthy and happy for a long time.
Chris Lavidas, Chief Music Officer of BGM, Inc.
 1325 E. Davis Street, Suite B, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
 Phone: 847-749-0137, Fax: 847-483-9198
 Email: chris@breakinggroundsinmusic.com
www.breakinggroundsinmusic.com
10 Reasons Why You Should Play A Musical
Instrument
7. MUSIC CAN HELP OTHERS IN THE PROCESS…
Learning how to play an instrument can have a positive influence on young, aspiring
children who want to learn. A student taking lessons can help influence the young child
down the street by their skill on the instrument, work ethic toward the instrument, and
being a positive role model to that child.
8. IT GIVES A STUDENT SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARDS…
We all become motivated when we have goals in our life. A plan of action stimulates our
desire to achieve that goal, no matter how difficult it can be. Playing a musical
instrument will give the student something to work towards. They will learn how to set
goals, develop an action plan, and learn to persist and not give up until they understand
the material. They will learn that challenges will help them, mold them, and strengthen
them to take their skills to a new level. Vital life qualities such as goal-setting,
persistence, exuberance, and focus are cultivated.
9. YOU CAN BE YOU…
In mathematics, we have absolute answers. For instance, two plus two always equals
four, or five times four always equals twenty. There is absolute truth to this. However,
music is the opposite. It gives a student a chance to be expressive, original, creative, and
help develop their own unique style. There is no right or wrong way to play an
instrument. There are countless ideas a student can create on his/her instrument by just
being expressive and trying new things. This prevents boredom, because there is always
something new to learn each time a student sits down behind his/her instrument!
Chris Lavidas, Chief Music Officer of BGM, Inc.
 1325 E. Davis Street, Suite B, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
 Phone: 847-749-0137, Fax: 847-483-9198
 Email: chris@breakinggroundsinmusic.com
www.breakinggroundsinmusic.com
10 Reasons Why You Should Play A Musical
Instrument
10. MUSIC IS A BLAST…
Satisfaction is not just in the attainment, but also in the process. Learning an instrument
is fun, because the students will be able to notice their progression. When they see
themselves continuously improving, they will be excited, motivated, and ready to take on
new challenges. Additionally, students can meet other musicians, make music, or even
join a band. This is an excellent way to build a student’s personal skills, while also
having fun doing it!
Chris Lavidas, Chief Music Officer of BGM, Inc.
 1325 E. Davis Street, Suite B, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
 Phone: 847-749-0137, Fax: 847-483-9198
 Email: chris@breakinggroundsinmusic.com
www.breakinggroundsinmusic.com