Sandra Low

Does learning music have benefits ? You bet ! A 2020 article in Psychology Today listed five cognitive benefits :

1 ) Concentration — learning music requires sustained attention , which boosts the working memory in older adults .

2 ) Self-discipline — music training enhances impulse control , which leads to overall success in life .

3 ) Empathy — learning and listening to music leads us to reflect on the emotional and psychological content of the music . This promotes self-reflection , leading to increased empathy for others .

4 ) Self-esteem — learning an instrument increases self-confidence , which leads to a positive self-image .

5 ) Protection against age-related decline — neural plasticity is the foundation of the learning brain and is what keeps us young .

Does this list of benefits induce you to want to learn music ? You are probably thinking “ Am I too old ?” No , you are not . I learned piano at age 52 with my first lesson in September of 2013 . And during my second year of learning , I decided I wanted to have more accountability and be able to track my progress , so I learned Conservatory Canada repertoire . I did my first practical piano exam for Level 1 in June 2015 at 54 . I am now studying for my Level 6 practical exam , and I plan to write my Level 8 music theory exam after that .

Learning piano has its challenges , but anyone committed to practising can succeed . Learning much later in life , I have done more than I thought I would . I thought it would be a hobby , but it became much more — it became a passion for me .

Finding the right teacher is the key to unlocking your music potential . For you to progress , you

must find a teacher who teaches in a way that fits your learning style , who has depth of knowledge , experience teaching adults , and many teaching tools in their toolbox . The teacher should also believe in your potential to succeed . In writing about harmony , I am not thinking about the melodies I can play on the piano . I am thinking about a deeper harmony . I know that my patience , my problem-solving skills , and my self-discipline have improved dramatically since I have learned music . My creativity is now high , where it was all but nonexistent before , and my self-confidence is at the highest point ever . Because of the joy I feel ,

I believe that I have achieved harmony within myself and within my place in the world . I believe in my potential , and I know that my contribution will make a difference to the people , the communities , and the organizations I invest in . That is where that one decision to learn piano has taken me . I hope you will join me to see where it can take you .

After thirty-eight-and-a-half years as a medical lab technologist in molecular diagnostics screening labs , Sandra Low retired last year . She now has music , hiking , and volunteer work keeping her happily occupied .

news & views SPRING 2023 | 37