Touring musicians are not the only ones who benefit from carrying their instruments. Even casual players and travelers, in general, can find value in bringing an instrument along for the ride. You don’t have to lug a double bass or entire drum kit to have fun, however. If you are open to trying out other musical instruments, you can buy percussion instruments, strings, wind, and other types that you can hand carry. A 16-inch frame drum, for instance, is small enough to carry around or be tucked in your luggage. Whichever type of musical instrument you choose, here are some of the reasons why you should consider grabbing one for your upcoming trip.
Strengthen your respiratory system
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Traveling in a foreign country encourages you to try things out. Whether it is sampling the local delicacies, visiting landmarks, or going up a mountain, there is a lot you can do. It just depends on what you fancy. Even if you’re not planning on being adventurous, traveling from one place to another does require a lot of walking at times. Non-musicians typically have shallow breathing. For some, even a bit of walking can leave them exhausted. This is typically not the case for singers and musicians. Singing and playing wind instruments require being able to breathe from the diaphragm. Musical exercises can strengthen your respiratory system, allowing you to travel farther without huffing.
Physical exercise
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Getting enough exercise while you’re on the go tends to be tricky. Schedules can get hectic, especially if you’re traveling with a tour group. This makes it more challenging to get some exercise and your body moving. Playing an instrument during your trips changes all that. Most musical instruments get your arm and back muscles moving while banging on the drums lets you do some cardio. It beats going to the gym any day.
Improve hearing
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To stay safe, travelers are often advised to be aware of their surroundings. This is especially true if you’re a female traveling alone. You need to be able to look for elements or pick up sounds that can get you into trouble or put you in danger. Learning music enhances a person’s hearing and listening skills. Some activities allow the individual to learn how to isolate sounds. If you have taken music classes before, you may have experienced listening to songs and identifying what instruments were used; this is one way of learning to isolate sounds.
Walking around in a busy city can be an overwhelming experience. Imagine hearing a lot of noise coming from all directions. Being able to isolate sounds allows the person to pick out specific voices or sounds from a crowd. And this will prove especially useful if you happen to get waylaid, and are on the lookout for your travel companions. You’ll find it easier to identify their voices amidst the noise.
Make new friends
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The arts and music transcend culture. Music allows you to connect without the need for words. You can easily make friends by playing a tune or listening to somebody who plays on the street. Spontaneous encounters can also help you see or experience music in a different way. People have unique backgrounds and ways of learning music. Interacting through music allows you to learn alternative ways of playing the instrument and other related skills.
Perhaps you may even have opportunities to jam with the locals or other travelers. Think of jamming as a way to communicate without speaking. It teaches you how to give and take, learning how to express yourself without overpowering the other players – it’s an exhilarating experience you should try out during your next trip!
Get some alone time
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Trips are not just about parties or filling your days with things to do. Some days you may just want to unwind and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city or other people. Playing an instrument during your travels can help you do that. You can choose to stay in your hotel and play a few tunes on your guitar. Or maybe you can just watch the sunset while playing the flute. Regardless of how you want to relax, carrying a musical instrument lets you do just that.
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Give your brain a workout
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Exercise is not just about the body but also the mind. Playing a musical instrument enhances the way your brain works. This comes in handy when you are in a foreign land. Take learning a new language, for instance. It requires the ability to memorize words, see patterns, and understand sentence structure, among others. The same skills you need to learn how to play instruments will be beneficial in learning a new language. What’s cool about this is the amount of time you need. Studies show that an hour’s worth of practicing playing an instrument is enough to help you learn a new language and obtain other benefits. So, what’s stopping you from taking your guitar or tambourine to your next trip to the trip? Just remember that regulations on traveling with a large instrument can vary from one airline to another. If you plan to travel with a saxophone or a larger instrument, use a hard case and avail of insurance, as much as possible. This ensures your instruments are protected even when traveling to another country.
