"In my book, Music Between Your Ears, I talk about the importance of actively engaging with music to reap its greatest benefits. In that section, I discuss instruments that almost anyone can learn to play, no matter one's age or prior experience. I mention drums and bells, and I am now happy to add the ukulele to that list."
"Ukulele. What a curious word for a curious instrument. Until recently, my only experience with the ukulele was watching Tiny Tim play it while singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" on The Ed Sullivan Show (you can find this on YouTube if you're not familiar with it). But I'm happy to report that, over the past few months, I've been educated. I've learned that the ukulele is a highly accessible instrument that is growing steadily in popularity."
"My education began unexpectedly following a conversation about my book. After finishing an interview, the woman I was speaking with said that she appreciated my advocacy for active involvement with music. She specifically mentioned the example in my book that playing a musical instrument can lower one's risk of developing dementia. She then told me that she plays regularly at a local ukulele club that includes people of all skill levels, from experienced players to complete beginners."
Active engagement with music offers significant benefits, and learning a simple instrument can make those benefits accessible to people of any age or experience. The ukulele is a highly accessible instrument whose popularity is growing, and local ukulele clubs welcome beginners through experienced players. Playing an instrument may lower the risk of developing dementia. Jim Beloff helped popularize the ukulele after discovering one and creating arrangements and writings, which spurred club formation. Personal anecdotes and community resources encourage people to consult the internet to locate local ukulele groups. The word "ukulele" means "jumping fleas" in Hawaiian.
Read at Psychology Today
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