Music as a relaxation as well as a challenge

Music can mean so many different things to different people. Some professionals work hard in their office all day using the same part of their brain day after day. If you then come home and play your instrument that you enjoy for just 20 mins, I believe that it can already help you unwind and challenge your brain and emotional side. One has to multi-task in a very unusual way whilst playing music. Perhaps one has to trust one's own inner ear and be more extrovert than in one's normal daily lives. All these challenges are very good to have. If you have been playing violin since you were a little child than your brain and muscles are much more accustomed to the task of holding and playing an instrument. It becomes second nature and one doesn't have to think about the technicality of it so much anymore.

However, it is also something that one can pick up at a later stage. I believe that playing an instrument when you are young is vitally important. It really helps to develop the brain and gives children a wider spectrum of emotions. It is, of course, hard work but it is one of the most rewarding activities I know. Dedication, focus and attention to detail are all part of committing to a musical instrument, but it gives you a lot of joy and fulfillment in return. Music can bring people together when they are playing in groups, can form friendships and can develop into something secretive and personal to each person. Some need the milestone achievements of Grade exams and then the success is something wonderful, others just like to play for their own peace of mind.

But in any case I can not imagine my life without music and it has grown to be such a personal part of my life that I can only encourage as many people as possible to play or sing themselves. Music can give you the opportunity to travel, meet new people or just to relax in a different way.

Anyone can learn. Where there is a will, there is a way.