I Joined a Band and My Brain Could Not Be Happier
Did you enjoy playing a musical instrument when you were young, but haven’t picked it up for decades? Have you ever wanted to sing in a choir or take up painting or photography? Now is the perfect time—and your brain will thank you.
Many of my fondest teenage memories are tied to playing the drums. But then life happened: college, work, marriage, kids. Before I knew it, I hadn’t touched a drumstick in more than 30 years.
Two and a half years ago, I decided to change that. I purchased a kit, brushed off the rust, and eventually joined a band. The group was designed to practice for three months, play one gig at a local bar, and disband. It was a low-risk way to test the waters, and I absolutely loved it. After our gig, I kept practicing and eventually found a more permanent band. We’ve now been together for 18 months.
I initially pursued drumming again simply to pick up another hobby. But when I started learning about brain health, I realized that playing drums and being in a band were so much more than a hobby—they were directly tied to strengthening the health of my brain. I was doing one of the most effective things one can do for long-term brain resilience.
Here are seven research-supported reasons why playing in a band helps keep my brain sharp and resilient:
1. Cognitive Stimulation from Learning and Practicing Music
Learning songs, mastering rhythms, and remembering setlists engage memory, attention, auditory processing, and executive function.
To learn a song, I repeatedly listen to the original tracks on Spotify and then check out drum covers on YouTube for inspiration. I am always trying different rhythms and fills when I practice at home and with the group until I find something I like.
For difficult parts, I break them down into smaller pieces, slow the tempo, and practice them until I can ultimately play them at the standard speed.
For the setlist, I take shorthand notes for each song (we play more than 20 songs at a gig). I mark who kicks off the song and how the drum part starts and ends. I can improvise the middle of a song, but I need to nail the start and finish or it will be obvious to listeners that something wasn’t right.
Each rehearsal challenges me to take in and retain new information quickly—similar to learning a language. Practicing music enhances neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form and reorganize connections. Drumming also engages both hemispheres of the brain, thereby improving communication between them and sharpening coordination and response time.
2. Social Interaction and Belonging
I am slightly introverted and prefer smaller groups to larger ones. Being in a band fits me perfectly. Regular rehearsals and occasional gigs create consistent, meaningful social engagement—something strongly associated with lower dementia risk.
We collaborate, make decision together, and share a passion. These moments stimulate empathy, memory, and emotional regulation—all key to maintaining cognitive function as we age.
3. Motor Skills, Coordination, and Brain-Body Connection
Most instruments require fine motor control, but drumming takes it further. It demands synchronized hand and foot movement across independent rhythms. For example:
One hand might play eighth notes on the cymbal,
the other plays a syncopated snare rhythm,
while each foot independently works the bass drum and hi-hat—
all at once and all in time with the band.
Drummers constantly scan the group, adjust in real-time, and stay on beat. It’s a full-brain, full-body workout, which explains why I am often physically and mentally drained at the end of a practice session.
4. Creativity and Emotional Expression
Music expresses what words sometimes can’t. Whether it’s improvising a fill, shaping a groove, or finding the right mood for a song, playing drums engages the creative parts of my brain.
As a drummer, I choose when a song needs drive, funk, or restraint. I also designed and created our band’s website and demo video (embedded above)—mixing my technical and creative sides. Creative outlets like these reinforce cognitive flexibility, helping me better adapt to challenges.
5. Stress Reduction and Mood Boosting
Making music triggers the release of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins—neurochemicals associated with pleasure, motivation, and calm. It lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. This is true for me when I am practicing alone or with the band.
Being in the moment playing drums, focused on rhythm and sound, can create a flow state that alleviates anxiety and boosts my overall well-being. At times, it even feels spiritual—a sense of calmness within the chaos.
6. Goal Setting and Purpose
In the past year, our band has tackled a lot: learning new material, prepping for shows, recording in a studio, and creating a demo video and website. These goals give structure and purpose—two underrated ingredients for long-term brain health.
Working toward a shared goal also adds a layer of accountability and personal investment that keeps me motivated. For example, having performances on the calendar ramps up my practice. I play longer, more frequently, and with more focus.
7. Use It or Lose It
Playing in a band activates nearly every domain of the brain:
Memory (learning songs)
Sensory processing (listening to others)
Motor control (playing)
Emotion (interpreting and expressing)
Social cognition (interacting with bandmates)
This whole-brain engagement builds cognitive reserve—the brain's backup capacity that helps buffer against aging and even disease.
Conclusion
Rejoining a band isn’t just a nostalgic return to my youth—although I cherish that part, too. It’s also not just a hobby. It’s an evidence-backed brain health strategy.
From learning and creativity to movement, connection, and purpose, playing in a band activates multiple brain systems simultaneously. These combined effects likely have a compounding benefit for brain resilience and healthy aging.
So pick up your drumsticks, guitar pick, paintbrush, or microphone. Whether you’re returning to an old passion or trying something new, engaging your brain creatively and socially is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
If you’re looking for more evidence-based ways to keep your brain sharp, subscribe to my Substack or share this article with someone who might need a nudge to start playing again. 🥁🎸🎨🎤
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