A study suggests long-term music training may provide potential functional benefits to the brain and help keep it young

Picture yourself at a lively party, trying to catch a friend’s story over the din of chatter and clinking glasses.

For many older adults, this can be a struggle, as hearing and processing speech in noisy environments often gets harder with age.

But what if there was a fun, engaging way to keep your brain sharp enough to handle these situations with ease?

Research suggests that playing a musical instrument could be the answer.

A study published in Science Advances found that older adults who’ve spent years playing music perform better at understanding speech in noise, and their brains function in ways that resemble those of much younger people (Neuroscience News).

This isn’t just about hearing better—it’s about keeping your brain vibrant and resilient as you age. And here’s the kicker: you don’t need to be a virtuoso to see these benefits.

Even amateur musicians, or those who haven’t touched an instrument in decades, show advantages.

For example, a 2018 study found that musicians have “younger-looking brains,” with enhanced cognitive control and memory compared to non-musicians (BrainFacts).

Whether you’re a lifelong pianist or just thinking about picking up a guitar, music might be your brain’s best friend.

The Science: How Music Rewires Your Brain

So, what’s happening in your brain when you play music? It’s like giving your mind a full-body workout.

Playing an instrument engages multiple cognitive skills at once: reading sheet music, coordinating your hands or breath, listening for pitch and rhythm, and often memorizing complex pieces.

This multitasking strengthens connections between brain regions, boosting overall function.

The Science Advances study, led by Dr. Du Yi, used functional MRI to compare brain activity in three groups: older musicians, older non-musicians, and younger non-musicians.

The task? Identifying speech in noisy conditions. Older musicians not only outperformed their non-musician peers but also showed brain activity patterns similar to those of younger participants.

The researchers identified two key mechanisms at play:

Functional Preservation: Certain brain areas in older musicians, particularly those involved in sensory and motor processing, maintained youthful activity levels.
Functional Compensation: Other regions, like the frontoparietal and default mode networks, showed increased activity, helping to offset age-related declines.

This dual action suggests that music training doesn’t just slow brain aging—it actively rewires the brain to stay sharp.

Beyond Hearing: A Cognitive Powerhouse

Music’s benefits extend far beyond better hearing in noisy settings. Research shows that musicians often excel in several cognitive areas that typically decline with age. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages:

Cognitive Area	Benefit	Supporting Study
Memory	Musicians show improved working and episodic memory.	Frontiers in Psychology study on musical improvisation (PMC)
Executive Function	Enhanced planning, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.	NeuroImage study on gray matter volume (PMC)
Dementia Risk	Lifelong musical activity linked to lower risk of cognitive decline.	Alzheimer’s & Dementia meta-analysis (Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery)

For instance, a study in Frontiers in Psychology found that older adults who engaged in musical improvisation improved their performance on memory tests.

Another study in NeuroImage revealed that musicians have larger gray matter volumes in brain regions tied to working memory and executive function.

Most strikingly, a meta-analysis in Alzheimer’s & Dementia suggested that lifelong musical engagement could reduce the risk of dementia by building cognitive reserve—the brain’s ability to cope with damage or decline.

Busting the Myth: It’s Never Too Late

You might be thinking, “This sounds great for people who’ve played music since childhood, but I’m in my 60s and have never touched an instrument.”

Here’s where the story gets even more exciting. Contrary to the common belief that only lifelong musicians benefit, research shows that starting music training later in life—or even picking up an old hobby—can still boost your brain.

A study in Psychology of Music explored this idea by teaching piano to older adults aged 60 to 85. After just six months, participants showed improvements in working memory and processing speed—skills that often wane with age (Psychology Today).

Even if you played music as a kid but haven’t since, those early lessons might still be paying off.

As neuropsychologist Brenda Hanna-Pladdy noted, “Musical training can have a profound and lasting impact on the brain, creating additional neural connections in childhood that can last a lifetime” (National Geographic).

This challenges the assumption that music’s benefits are reserved for the young or highly skilled. Whether you’re a retired flutist dusting off your instrument or a complete beginner strumming a ukulele, music can enhance your cognitive health.

Practical Tips to Get Started

Ready to harness music’s brain-boosting power? Here are some practical steps to incorporate music into your life, whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie:

For Current Musicians:
- Keep practicing regularly, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day.
- Join a community band or choir to stay motivated and socially engaged.
- Challenge yourself with new pieces or genres to keep your brain active.
For Former Musicians:
- Dust off that old instrument and start with familiar tunes to rebuild confidence.
- Take refresher lessons to brush up on skills.
- Consider group classes for a fun, social way to reconnect with music.
For Beginners:
- Choose an instrument that excites you, like a guitar, piano, or even a harmonica.
- Find a teacher or online course tailored to older learners.
- Start with short, manageable practice sessions—consistency is more important than intensity.

Not ready to play an instrument? Even listening to music, singing, or dancing can stimulate your brain. The key is to engage actively, whether it’s tapping along to a beat or learning the lyrics to a new song.

The Bigger Picture: Music as a Lifelong Investment

Music training isn’t just about immediate cognitive gains; it’s an investment in your brain’s future.

Studies suggest that the neural connections formed through music can act as a buffer against age-related decline, much like a savings account for your cognitive health. This is especially important as the global population ages, with cognitive decline posing a growing challenge for families and societies.

Dr. Leonardo Bonetti, a researcher at the University of Oxford, emphasized music’s broader potential: “Music is a great tool to help understand how the brain changes its functional organisation to support memory as we age” (Oxford Psychiatry).

By studying music’s effects, scientists hope to develop targeted interventions to promote healthy aging, potentially reducing the burden of conditions like dementia.

Wrapping Up

Long-term music training offers a remarkable array of benefits for brain health, particularly as we age.

From preserving youthful brain function to enhancing memory and reducing dementia risk, music is a powerful, accessible tool for keeping your mind sharp.

Whether you’ve played for decades or are just starting out, engaging with music can transform the way your brain ages.

So, why not pick up that instrument you’ve always wanted to try? Or revisit the one you left behind? Your brain will thank you, and you might just have a lot of fun along the way.