This makes me wish I had taken my piano lessons more seriously...! I tried out numerous instruments when I was younger, but only dabbled before giving up; the trick is to persevere and get in that 10,000 hours they say it takes before you can get good at anything. It's never too late though, I've read numerous articles stating that one of best things you can do for yourself as you age is learn a new skill - be it ballroom dance, knitting or another language. The important thing is that it be a completely unique challenge.
As for musicians, we've seen way too many rockers going strong far into their 60's and 70's not to recognize this study may indeed hold some merit; Neil Young, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney to name a few. Here's two finely preserved relics, Daryl Hall (64) and Peter Frampton (61) to help prove my point. Enjoy :)
The brain is like any other part of the body - you need to exercise it to keep it in shape, especially as you get older. That being said, I'm not sure I've been learning anything new lately. Does that mean my brain is getting weaker? EEK!
ReplyDeleteYou can absolutely start learning at anytime. I was born in 66 and just started playing the guitar last year. Never to old to learn new tricks.
ReplyDeleteSpeakng of - I signed up with Lumosity and so far I love it! It's exercises for the brain and you can try them free.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also read this book which you might enjoy, it was interesting not in an earth shaking kind of way, but an easy read and super neat info kind of way.
https://www.amazon.ca/Head-Trip-Adventures-Wheel-Consciousness/dp/0679314091/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306529576&sr=8-3
Martha, haha - I think most of us should be getting worried!
ReplyDeleteWebDebris, I am truly impressed that you only started playing.
Tatiana, I checked it out and it looks very interesting. This is the kind of book I pick up and can't put down till it's done. I noticed that he is Canadian. Interestingly, about 2 years ago I started listening to self-hypnosis tapes quite regularly - I am a real believer in the power of the sub-conscious.