10 reasons to continue (or begin!) to practice an instrument and make music in your 50s and beyond
I played in a lot of bands in my 20s. Then I got a “real job” and had a life. Now I have time and energy to get back to it.
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1. It’s fun!
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2. Keeps your brain active
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There are so many directions to go in.
3. Keeps muscles strong
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I was losing grip strength: now I play scales for exercise.
4. Keeps your mind active
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Working out scales and rhythms is a great mind workout: like puzzles.
5. Computer music has no limits
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6. You can buy the exact equipment pros use for just a few hundred dollars
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I have mentioned this here before but for less than $1000 you can have an amazing high definition studio and use the exact sounds and software that the pros use.
7. It is very satisfying to make a sound that brings you joy
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8. You can look forward to an opportunity to play: it can get you up in the morning.
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9. You can relive the glory days if you were in a band when you were younger
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We are big in Japan...
10. Appreciate the world more as you stay open to ideas that can lead you to musical expression.
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None of them ever stuck and I haven't played a musical instrument of any time in over 30 years. Pretty sure I don't remember how. BUT I can still read music. Maybe it's worth experimenting with again. Back to basics with a recorder might be a good start.