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Music is a fascinating subject for science.

After all, it appeals to several senses in us and our brain is activated on several levels.

It doesn't matter whether you just listen to music or play an instrument yourself.

Scientists have already found the perfect formula for a pop song and that concertgoers live longer.

As if that weren't enough, a - probably not entirely independent - British study commissioned by the music streaming service Spotify claims that people who can play an instrument are less prone to psychological problems.

They would be better, happier and more relaxed.

At least 89 percent of all study participants said that.

It didn't matter whether they played guitar, flute or piano.

This is how the investigation went

The study was divided into two phases: Using one group, the long-term positive effects of making music on the mental state should be demonstrated, while using a second group, how positive learning a new instrument can be in crisis situations.

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Let's start with group two: With his podcast, the Irish musician and lead singer of the band The Blizzards, Niall Breslin, dared an experiment in the name of science. Because we shouldn't sing loudly together due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to play an instrument together. Everyone knows that singing along to a song out loud can be liberating. Hence the question of whether instrumental music making has the same effect?

To find the answer, Breslin bought 400 ukuleles and distributed them to 400 people struggling with mental health problems.

The participants in the experiment were then taught via video how to play the instrument in order to later cover a song together via video switch.

All participants reported in the podcast that although they found learning the ukulele a challenge, it also put them in a good mood.

Most want to keep playing.

Breslin's podcast runs exclusively on Spotify, the commissioner of the study.

So we should keep in mind that this feel-good study could have triggered a certain positive PR effect in all listeners in addition to a scientific interest.

But on with the study:

And what about when you've been playing an instrument for a long time?

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Of course, the magic of something new is always pretty cool, and with a relatively simple instrument like the ukulele, you can make good progress pretty quickly.

Successful experiences that make you happy.

The study also looked at the effects of playing a musical instrument that one has mastered for a long time and practiced regularly.

This is where group one comes into play - i.e. those study participants who were asked about the long-term positive effects of making music.

The results are of course purely subjective, but speak volumes: of the 89 percent who feel significantly better because they play an instrument, around 56 percent said that it relaxed them, 48 percent felt more satisfied, and 43 percent even found that it has a calming effect.

The survey also showed that around 75 percent choose guitars and the like when they feel particularly stressed after a hard day at work, because of money worries or an upcoming event and want to relax.

So what are you waiting for: Maybe now is the best time to finally learn the instrument that you've always wanted to play.

This article was first published in September 2020.