There are lots of benefits of playing guitar. The following are 10 of them.
If you were considering starting with guitar playing but are still on the fence, hopefully this will give you all the motivation you need to get started.
Benefit #1: Improve Your Social Network
When you start to play guitar, you inevitably start to connect with and meet other guitarists and other musicians.
This might lead to just a few low-key jam sessions, or even might just involve discussions with other musicians or it could lead to playing in a band, orchestra or other ensemble and creating life-long friendships and often even to finding a life-long partner.
Benefit #2: Decrease Stress
O.k. I know there are times when you are trying to learn something and you can’t seem to get it and that can be very frustrating but the stress-relieving benefits of playing guitar particularly when you get in the flow, far outweigh those brief moments of frustration.
Benefit #3: Feel Good
Sometimes it just feels good to play guitar. In fact, some studies suggest that playing guitar, or another musical instrument can increase dopamine output which makes you feel great.
This is potentially part of the reason that it also helps to decrease stress.
I sometimes find after playing guitar for a long period of time that I’m tired but relaxed and almost euphoric.
Benefit #4: Improve Cognitive Functions like Memory & Multi-Tasking
Studies have shown that learning the guitar, or another musical instrument, improves memory, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and in general, improves brain sharpness.
This is not only good for the present but developing or improving guitar playing skills (or any instrument for that matter) can also help to reduce mental decline as you age.
If you are not sure how to start and are looking for some beginner-friendly guitar lessons for acoustic guitar which is a great place to start.
Benefit #5: Improve your Physical Condition
Sitting around and playing isn’t going to have you dropping pounds or give you ripped abs but if you are playing in a band or ensemble and you are standing up it really does feel like a workout after a good jam session.
Even sitting there and playing will do some good physically both in terms of burning some energy and in terms of strengthening your wrists and fingers and it can also be relaxing so it can help with reducing blood pressure.
I remember a friend of mine years ago who was into basketball. He couldn’t believe how easily I could palm the basketball in my left hand despite having smaller hands than him those strong guitar fingers were the key.
Benefit #6: Gain Satisfaction and a Sense of Achievement
There is nothing like starting out having no clue of how to do something and then after putting in the time, effort and practice, being able to fluently play one of your favorite songs. If you decide to learn guitar it can also help you with confidence and it can also help with bossing self esteem.
Benefit #7: Make Some Money
You may or may not end up being in a highly popular band making gazillions in album sales.
But even the most humble guitarist, once they have reached a certain level, can make money playing, whether that is busking, playing in a small-time band, playing for an orchestra, doing solo shows in a cafe, or playing at events such as weddings.
Live music is always in demand.
And even if you don’t make any money playing guitar directly, the increased mental and psychological benefits will help you to perform better at any given task which can help you to secure the job, promotion, or business opportunity that you seek.
Benefit #8: Improve Time Management
If you are learning guitar properly, you are spending time practicing. But if you are like most people you don’t have 8 hours a day to practice. So, for your practice time to be effective, you’ll need to learn how to properly manage your time for the most quality practice sessions.
This has benefits well beyond just learning guitar.
Benefit #9: Organizational Skills and People Management
As well as using organizational skills to help make your practices more efficient and effective, you are likely to use organizational skills to organize others, if you end up jamming with other musicians, whether in a band, orchestra, or just casually.
Even as a solo artist, if you are playing gigs you’ll need to exercise those organizational and people management skills.
Benefit #10: It is Fun
Plain and simple learning guitar is fun. O.k. there are times when you are struggling to learn something or when you are playing scales over and over again, that it can feel like a chore. If that is the case check out our guide for Online Guitar Lessons for Beginners it will for sure help you get your feet wet.
But for a majority of the time, it is just plain fun. Especially if you get involved with other musicians. There really is nothing like playing music with others, whether it’s jamming out some of your favorite songs or compositions or playing or creating your own original music.
Well, those are just a few of the great benefits of learning guitar. This is definitely not all of them. If you can think of any others that I haven’t mentioned here, feel free to add them in the comments section below.
FAQs Benefits of Playing Guitar
Learning any instrument is good for brain activity. There are plenty of studies that suggest engaging with music in any way is good for brain function and mental health. Being arguably the most abstract of the arts, music can help to engage parts of the brain that otherwise might lie dormant. This abstract quality means that the pure emotive power of music is not as easily codified into mere words but, rather, retains its power to invoke and evoke in someone certain feelings that they might otherwise have never accessed. Much like our sense of smell, music can conjure everything seemingly from nothing.
There has been plenty of research to suggest that playing a musical instrument is good for mental health, but what about the guitar specifically? The same research suggests that there is indeed a link between those who play an instrument like the guitar and those with lower blood pressure, lower levels of stress and anxiety, a decreased heart rate, as well as fewer symptoms of depression and angst. Even when not playing necessarily, there is an element of catharsis that listening to music can bring. The most sincere musical experiences can take us out of our bodies and minds. Even if only for a moment, this can do wonders for a millennial.
This will depend on your level of expertise with the instrument. If you have only been playing for a little bit, then you might want to hold off on playing so often or at least only play for a limited amount each day. This largely has to do with building up callouses at the tips of your fingers. If you practice too much to begin with, then you will have a tough time of it later down the line – much like working out, you need to give your callouses time to heal. If, however, you have been playing for a while and have already built up the callouses, then there really is no limit to the amount of time you can play each day and, theoretically, the longer you play each day, the better you will be.
While the guitar is not exactly going to deck you out with wild and bodacious pectoral muscles, there is certainly a link between strength and the guitar. If nothing else, then your grip on your fretting hand is no doubt going to become stronger as a result of prolonged performance and practice. Likewise, if play the kind of music that features a lot of repetitive strumming, then your strumming arm is likely going to reap the benefits. As with any form of exercise, the amount of time your spend at it each day will determine just how much strength you can expect to build in the process.
Tammy Houston says
It was really nice how you explained that learning how to play the guitar will allow a person a sense of satisfaction because of the idea that they will start off not knowing anything and then with just a bit of time and effort, they will be able to play it properly. I guess a sense of satisfaction is included, but the reason why I want to play the guitar was the idea that I like a good challenge. I am planning to learn how to play musical instruments for the fun and challenge, and I will start off with a guitar. Thank you.
Nate says
You’re very welcome Tammy.
Definitely fun and definitely challenging – but also satisfying (and even more fun) when you start to get more fluid. Keep up the hard work and the rewards will come!
Thanks for your message and for visiting Six String Acoustic.