When it comes to making beautiful music, there’s never a time when “I’m too late to learn” applies. As time passes, more and more doctors, experts, and health professionals are actively advising older clients to keep their brains in tip-top shape by taking music classes in the instrument of their choice. This not only helps them maintain coordination, but it also encourages a sense of purpose and stability. Some have even likened the experience to a practice such as yoga or meditation, due to the way it enhances their sense of balance.

This is a result of harnessing the power of music. Older than any human language, music and sounds have shaped our history and our basic humanity. Studies have shown that our ancestors used these sounds to arrange group activities for social coordination and survival techniques. This means that music in and of itself offers an unmistakable human connection.

Experts believe that playing music promotes a healthier body and helps to regulate biorhythms. Several forms of therapy have even succeeded in proving the positive effects of music by increasing a patient’s calmness, healing, and brain activity.

A popular misconception is that you eventually reach an age where you won’t be able to learn how to play an instrument, write a song, or even sing well. This is completely false. You can always take up a musical hobby and gain benefits from it no matter your age. In fact, a study conducted at the University of South Florida showed that after six months of one-on-one piano instruction with adults between the age of 60 and 85, the participants showed great gains in verbal fluency, planning ability, memory, and other important functions compared to those who didn’t take lessons.

This is because training in the musical arts creates a lasting effect on the brain. Musical training helps aging adults maintain and even develop skills. No matter what age you begin, training in the arts contains all the right ingredients of a cognitive learning program that tends to be looked over. After, just as we’re supposed to work out our physical health, we should also exercise our minds and musical abilities.