How playing an instrument benefits your brain - Anita Collins
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited as a source for claims that learning an instrument connects both brain hemispheres, though some commenters note they haven't verified it.
What it is
A short TED-Ed animated lesson by Anita Collins on what happens in the brain when people play a musical instrument. It argues that playing engages many brain areas at once, like a full-body workout, with long-term benefits.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2022 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Recommends noTooMooch · 2022-04 · on “New links found between musical training and cognitive ability”
There is an observable difference in brain activity between playing an instrument and actively listening: [this video] The activity of playing is unlike other skills based learning, including other arts. All this is in the video. It’s the intersection of applying ephemeral knowledge (music theory, intuition for what sounds good) and active muscle memory building. Personally, since picking up guitar and piano during lockdown, I’ve definitely noticed I’m faster at pattern recognition, more readily see simpler solutions to logic problems, and can find focus and flow with less effort. I did play saxophone from 5th grade on, but quit after HS; I was playing music before that too. The years in between
Cites porknChps · 2023-08 · on “Ask HN: What's your favourite hobby and how did it start?”
I grew up without TV and learned all the things to keep my mind occupied. The ones I spend most time on: Woodworking Playing music (guitar, piano, sax, drums, and Audulus 4) Programming (started around 90 in qbasic) Gardening (simple stuff these days, herbs and peppers, tomatoes; I make a lot of sauces to add to meals) Engine repair (started with tractors, now I just fix small engines) Building building (just built a greenhouse for friends; designing mine now) Logic circuit design (EE started in motherboard design as a career, switched to software as hardware went overseas) I went deep on all these at various points. Anymore really only spend enough time on them throughout the year to keep a
Cites mewziq · 2024-01 · on “Healing Invisibly: What doctors learn by playing music”
Learning an instrument is the only skills based learning that activates both hemispheres and eases their collaboration: [this video] Other skills, tested via imaging, seem to dominate one side or the other.
Cites easyPZ · 2024-05 · on “Researchers find high levels of lead, mercury and arsenic in Beethoven's hair”
Me too! What to play next occurs to me and my hands just do it. Have not checked if this Ted talk[1] holds up but for me playing instruments is very unlike anything else. Woodworking and cooking, while I enjoy them, do not have the same holistic euphoria to them. [1] [this video]