what meaning does playing an instrument hold for individuals

Psychology:
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Introduction
Playing a musical instrument is beneficial to individuals in diverse ways. A qualitative study conducted on this research developed these insights into key themes including Happiness, Memory Enlightenment, and Social Connect. This essay explores further benefits of playing musical instruments to individuals, and the advantages it has in their lives aligned to the key themes.
Literature Review
Scholars argue that playing musical instruments enhances excellent social skills. Joining bands and playing a musical instrument with family members also improve life-long relationships (Cohen et al., 2002). Concentration is necessary for individuals aspiring to be better instruments players. It is required to understand and shift tempo, rhythm, pitch, note duration, and sound quality. Music also promotes happiness, enabling people to enjoy and play together.
Methods
The qualitative study used in this research include an interview trying to understand what it means to play musical instruments for individuals. The findings of this analysis are further investigated to develop theoretical models exploring the themes of happiness, mental enlightenment, and social connection.
Results
Three key themes were identified including; Happiness, Mental Enlightenment, and Social Connect.
Theme of Happiness
The interviewee evidently explored the theme of happiness. Singing and playing musical instruments as part of the interviewee’s life.

She began playing the piano at the age of six. After moving to Oxford, the interviewee joined the folk song society where she started playing and singing the guitar. The interviewee also explained that they enjoyed playing their musical instruments together as a family. These activities were fun and hence made them joyful. The interviewee also explained that learning musical instruments is exciting and fun. It also feels great to play to an audience. Joining the folk song at college made the students’ life happy and fun. Research proves that playing musical instruments and singing can transform an individual’s mind, day, and life (Cohen et al., 2002). An individual experiences happiness due to higher intelligence, confidence, and self-esteem levels gained from playing the instruments. The interviewee also explains that it is self-gratifying and honorable to perform at an audience where everyone joins in to cheer and applaud one’s efforts and musical skills. Philosopher Confucius argued that music produces pleasure that is pleasing to human nature (Cohen et al., 2002). Additionally, playing a musical instrument brings many benefits and joy to an individual and those listening.
Theme of Social Connect
Most individuals join bands and build life-long relationships with other people (Cohen et al., 2002). The interviewee joined the Ceilidh band before leaving after a year. However, he/she still attend the pub and play musical sessions. The interviewee believes that playing musical instruments is sociable as people interact through listening to tunes and accompanying them during the sessions. Occasionally, family members also play musical instruments as part of their activities. The interviewee explained that their family used to sing and play musical instruments together after their doing their homework and during their free-time. The theme of social connect is also evident when the interviewee explains that she likes singing in groups. The interviewee prefer singing sessions as it helps in boosting an individual’s team skills. Playing music as a group increase one’s concentration and ability to cooperate with the people around to create beautiful music. Research also proves that an individual must learn how to play together through active listening (Cohen et al., 2002). The interviewee also argues that music has a stimulating effect on people. For example, music can attract the attention of people who were less distracted in other activities, people, or sounds around them, as it was the case with the interviewee while performing at local pubs.
Theme of Memory Enlightenment
Firstly, learning a musical instrument makes individuals boost their memory and brain power. Participating in music from an early age guarantees an individual improved learning and memory abilities through stimulating different patterns during the brain development process. Research also links music education to higher IQ levels as it improves certain brain parts (Cohen et al., 2002). The interviewee acknowledged that learning a musical instrument requires effort and time. Additionally, the individual must exercise perseverance and patience to learn the skills. An example is when the interviewee was learning to play the violin. Every new instrument requires time, effort, and maximum concentration to learn and be good at playing it. The interviewee explains that playing musical instruments repeatedly sharpens an individual’s creativity, critical skills, and memory. Research also proves that music playing enhances positive psychological factors such as mental stimulation, coping strategies, and an enabling social environment (Cohen et al., 2002).
Conclusion
The study addresses the research question by exploring the valuable and meaningful experiences of individuals’ through playing musical instruments. The study included an interview highlighting the history of an individual, their interaction with music, and how it has influenced their social and home environment. The study concludes by proving that playing musical instruments appeals to an individual as it helps him/her improve their social relationships, quality of life, memory enlightenment, and happiness levels.

References
Cohen, A., Bailey, B., & Nilsson, T. (2002). The importance of music to seniors. Psychomusicology: A Journal of Research in Music Cognition, 18(1-2), 89.
Interview Transcript (Attached)

Appendices