Musicians may have an edge when it comes to keeping their minds sharp as they age. Recent studies suggest that people who play musical instruments regularly throughout their lives are less likely to develop dementia compared to non-musicians.
Why might this be the case? Playing music engages many parts of the brain at once. When you play an instrument, you’re reading music, coordinating complex finger movements, listening carefully, and often memorizing long pieces. This gives your brain a thorough workout.
Over time, this musical brain exercise seems to build up what scientists call “cognitive reserve.” Think of it like a brain savings account that you can draw from later in life. The more cognitive reserve you have, the more your brain can compensate for age-related changes or damage.
A study published in 2025 looked at amateur singers and instrumentalists as they got older[1]. The researchers found that both singers and instrumentalists showed fewer signs of age-related decline in certain brain networks compared to non-musicians. The musicians’ brains seemed to be more resilient to some effects of aging.
Interestingly, the benefits weren’t limited to lifelong musicians. Even people who started playing an instrument later in life saw some protective effects. A study of adults aged 60 to 80 who took piano lessons showed improvements in memory and other cognitive skills after just 6 months[3].
It’s not just about preventing dementia, either. Playing music seems to help keep the brain healthy and functioning well as we age. Musicians often perform better on tests of memory, attention, and processing speed compared to non-musicians[3].
But don’t worry if you’re not a musical prodigy. Even casual music-making can be beneficial. Singing in a choir, taking up the ukulele, or drumming along to your favorite songs could all help keep your brain in tune.
Of course, playing music isn’t a guarantee against dementia. Many other factors, like genetics, overall health, and lifestyle, also play a role. But adding some music to your life certainly can’t hurt, and it might just help keep your mind humming along for years to come.
So whether you’re dusting off that old guitar in the attic or thinking about signing up for piano lessons, remember that you’re not just making music – you’re giving your brain a valuable workout.
