1. Entertainment
First of all, it’s just plain fun! With just a modest cash investment (large Internet retailers carry violins as cheaply as sixty dollars), you now have hours of entertainment in front of you. And once you’re comfortable enough, performing for others spreads the joy around.
2. Nights on the Town
Learning any musical instrument will help with your sense of rhythm, tone, and overall musicality. Be afraid of the dance floor no more! Bonus: because of how it’s structured, the violin is more ear-training intensive than something like piano or guitar, so your off-tune karaoke will improve as well.
3. Free Therapy
We all need ways of expressing our inner angst or pure, unadulterated joy to be balanced, healthy people, and music probably the most powerful method we have to do so. The violin is a particularly apt instrument for this, since it mimics the human voice better than any other member of the orchestra. At the very least, it’s cheaper than an hour on the couch with the psychiatrist, and you never need to make an appointment.
4. Yes, You Can!
Taking up a new hobby and learning a new skill is one of the quickest, most effective confidence-boosters around. Keeping your hands (and mind) occupied is a great preventive measure to keep the blues at bay. You’ll find yourself with the courage to try other new things you’ve been meaning to do for years: parasailing, sky-diving, whatever!
5. Meet and Greet
Playing the violin means you’ll need some supplies, from time to time: new strings, fresh rosin, sheet music. Becoming a regular at your local music store means you have the opportunity to build new relationships not only with the owners, but other regular customers as well. This is doubly helpful if you’re new to the neighborhood and don’t yet know anyone.
6. Violin Hero?
No longer relegated to dusty concert halls, the violin is fast becoming something of a rock star. Big name bands like Yellowcard, Dave Matthews Band, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra-among others-all feature prominent violinists and violin solos. And even if you don’t become rich and famous, you can still learn that awesome violin solo from The Who’s Baba O’Riley.
7. Building (Mental) Muscle
Learning and playing a musical instrument of any kind has been linked to keeping your brain fit and flexible. The violin, with its focus on the left hand-the non-dominant hand for about 90% of the population-also focuses specifically on what is often the “weaker” half of the brain. Over time, daily violin practice builds new connections in the brain and makes pre-existing ones stronger and faster. And the benefits don’t stop there: the manual and mental dexterity required to play the violin, if kept up through old age, also helps to prevent senility and Alzheimer’s, keeping your wits sharp for the rest of your days.
