Keeping the mind sharp is important as we age. Learning to do new things and making sure we exercise it like a muscle is how we avoid degeneration in old age. When listening to music, several areas of your brain become engaged and more active. When you play a musical instrument and make music yourself, that becomes a sort of full-brain workout. Anita Collins explains how neural pathways are created when you learn to play an instrument, and how proverbial ‘fireworks’ go off in the brain when you play. Also examined is how music and learning to play music can serve as a long-term, positive effect on your brain.
