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Are you considering learning the guitar? Or do you already play and need some fresh encouragement?.
In this article I will give you TEN reasons why you should play the guitar.
Express Yourself
Playing guitar is a great way to express yourself creatively. With the right technique and some basic music theory concepts, you can use your guitar as an emotional outlet, to tell stories and connect with other people. Whether you're playing your own original compositions or interpreting the work of others, playing guitar is an excellent form of self-expression.
It also allows you to experiment with different sounds and styles. You can try out different chord progressions, experiment with fingerpicking and strumming patterns, and even incorporate percussive elements into your playing (just check out Mike Dawes for all that juicy percussive stuff!).
Getting started is easier than ever with all of the resources available online though I do recommend getting a teacher as soon as you can and I talk more about why here.
Relieve Stress
Playing guitar can be a great way to relieve stress and unwind after a long day. The physical act of playing, combined with the meditative quality of music, can be incredibly calming and relaxing. When you play or practice an instrument, it requires a certain level of focus and can easily help you melt away the worries of your day.
Research has shown that playing music can have a positive effect on stress levels and mood. One study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that playing music was effective in reducing stress and anxiety in patients waiting for dental treatment. Other studies have found that playing music can help improve mood, decrease pain, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. There’s more about the mental health benefits of playing guitar in this article.
If you're looking to use your guitar as a stress-relief tool, try setting aside a few minutes each day to play. You might find that a short noodle on your guitar helps you relax and unwind, or that strumming a few chords in the morning helps you start your day off on the right foot.
Socializing
Playing guitar is also a great way to socialize and meet new people and group guitar lessons can be especially good for this. Whether you're jamming with other guitarists or performing in front of an audience, playing guitar can be a great way to connect with others who share your love of music.
You may have heard the phrase ‘music is a universal language’ and it’s absolutely true. No matter where you go in the world, you're likely to find other musicians who are eager to play and share their music with you. Whether you're playing in a local coffee shop or on stage at a music festival, playing guitar can be a great way to connect with other people.
If you are interested in connecting with other musicians, try attending group guitar lessons, local jam sessions, open mic nights, or music festivals. You might be surprised at how many other guitarists you meet, and how quickly you form bonds over your shared love of music.
Boost Creativity
Learning to play guitar can help boost your creativity by challenging you to think outside the box and experiment with new sounds and techniques. As you explore different chords, scales, and rhythms, you'll be exercising your brain and unlocking new neural pathways.
In addition to improving your technical skills, playing guitar can also help you develop your own voice and style as a musician. By experimenting with different sounds and styles, you'll learn to think creatively and outside the box, and develop your own unique sound.
If you're looking to boost your creativity with your guitar, try experimenting with different genres and styles. You might try incorporating elements of jazz, blues or classical music into your playing, or experiment with different tunings to create unique sounds and textures.
Enjoy Music
Perhaps the most obvious reason to play guitar is because you simply love music. Playing guitar allows you to enjoy music on a deeper level, as you become more attuned to the nuances and intricacies of music in general.
Learning to play guitar can also help you appreciate a wider variety of music. As you develop your technical skills and musical knowledge, you'll be able to appreciate the subtle differences between different genres and styles, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes each one unique. I remember when I was at college and University and we had a ‘styles’ class especially for this reason.
Improve Coordination
Playing guitar requires a high level of coordination between your hands, fingers, and brain. As you practice different chords and progressions, you'll be training your brain and muscles to work together in new and more complex ways.
Improving your coordination through playing guitar can have benefits beyond just your musical ability. Research has shown that practicing music can improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and even help improve balance in older adults. You can read more about the mental health benefits of playing guitar here.
If you're looking to improve your coordination through your guitar playing, try practicing different fingerpicking patterns, or working on more complex chord progressions. You might also try incorporating percussive elements into your playing (used by players like Mike Dawes), such as tapping or slapping the body of the guitar, to challenge your coordination even further.
Build Confidence
Playing guitar can be a great way to build confidence and self-esteem. As you develop your skills and become more comfortable with your instrument, you'll gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in your abilities.
In addition to building confidence in your musical ability, playing guitar can also help you build confidence in other areas of your life. Research has shown that practicing music can help improve self-esteem and self-confidence, and even help reduce social anxiety. This article shows that even just listening to music has a good effect on individuals’ self –esteem.
If you're looking to build confidence through your guitar playing, try setting achievable goals for yourself (a good teacher will have this built into their lesson structure) and as you achieve these goals, you'll gain a sense of pride and accomplishment that can help boost your confidence in other areas of your life as well.
Develop Discipline
Learning to play guitar requires a high level of discipline and commitment. As you work to improve your skills and master new techniques, you'll need to set aside time each day to practice and refine your playing.
Developing discipline through playing guitar can have benefits beyond just your musical ability. Research has shown that practicing music can help improve focus and concentration, and even help improve academic performance in children.
If you're looking to develop discipline through your guitar playing, try setting a regular practice schedule for yourself, and stick to it as much as possible. You might also try breaking down larger goals, such as learning a new song, into smaller, more manageable tasks, and focusing on completing one task at a time.
Boost Brainpower
Playing guitar can also help boost your brainpower and cognitive function. Research has shown that practicing music can improve memory, processing speed, and even help delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline.
In addition to improving cognitive function, playing guitar can also help you develop better problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning abilities. As you work to learn new songs and techniques, you'll be exercising your brain and developing new neural pathways.
If you're looking to boost your brainpower through your guitar playing, try challenging yourself with new and complex songs and techniques. You might also try incorporating different genres and styles of music into your playing to keep your brain engaged and challenged.
Have Fun!
Ultimately, the most important one on this list.
Always have fun!
About The Author
Aaron Carrington is the owner of Carrington Guitar Academy in Bath, UK. Since graduating from The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London. Aaron has played in high profile locations such as Buckingham Palace, The Savoy and The London Eye.
He’s been a regular part of the UK wedding and corporate gig scene and has travelled internationally to the Middle East to play in top quality residency bands 6 nights per week. The finesse gained from this level of playing experience is passed on to his guitar students.
Now permanently in Bath, Aaron strives to deliver the highest standards of guitar teaching at Carrington Guitar Academy by offering a personalized lesson plan tailored to each student’s goals. You may also catch Aaron busking regularly on the streets of Bath. If you're interested in guitar lessons get in touch to book a FREE trial lesson!
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