Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

We’re going to look at some astonishing scientific evidence showing that complex activities such as taking music lessons “resulted in a 50% reduced risk of developing dementia” and that taking piano lessons, specifically, reduces our risk of cognitive decline and decreases depression symptoms. (Read one of the many amazing studies here.)

Aside from the cognitive benefits, piano lessons are fun! If you haven’t joined our free piano course, I hope you will consider giving it a try, now! Borrow a keyboard and try a few lessons. You can find my previous Sixty and Me Free Piano Lessons on my Author page. Join our lessons any time and move at your own pace! I am being sincere when I say, it’s never too late to learn to play the piano.

31.0 “Playing Music Is the Brain’s Equivalent of a Full Body Workout!”

Have you ever seen the Ted-Ed lesson on how playing an instrument is like “fireworks” going off in your brain? Through delightful animation, Anita Collins shows us that playing a musical instrument gives us a huge boost in brainpower. She tells us that “practice strengthens brain functions, allowing us to apply that strength to other activities.”

If you ever wondered why it’s difficult learning to play the piano, consider this: “Playing a musical instrument engages practically every area of the brain at once.” Watch this short video, I think you will enjoy it!

There have been many scientific studies for many years showing that musical training boosts cognitive function in older adults and that piano lessons, in particular, improve our quality of life, enhance our mood, and raise our ability to think effectively, to concentrate, and to remember new information. I love knowing that by studying and playing musical instruments along with exercising, I’m giving myself the best chance of maintaining optimal brain health.

And now, Welcome to Lesson 31! This week we are focusing on note reading, and we have a song, some drills and a puzzle to help us improve our skills.

31.1 Mystery Song and Some Puzzles to Solve, p.79-81

On p.79 you will play the Mystery Song and see if you can guess the tune. If you are American of a certain age, you will recognize this folk tune by a 19^th century songwriter known as “The Father of American Music.”

If you are not American, this tune will not be familiar, so you will have to rely on your note reading and rhythm skills to figure out how to play it. And that’s what these two weeks will be all about – practicing your note reading through games, drills and song.

Once you think you are playing the song correctly, click on my ANSWERS link at the top of my website: UpperHandsPiano.com. Then click on p.79 (in BOOK 1) to find out the title of the Mystery Song, and the answers to the p.80 Word Search. (You can then search for this title on YouTube to hear the song performed by many artists.)

Click on “p.80 word search visually” to see all of the solutions for p. 80. Watch my video introducing this week’s lesson, and demonstrating one of the rhythms in the Mystery Song here:

Passion Practice

1. Let’s revisit Exercise #2 (Appendix iii) in C and G, this time playing it with hands together. This is a great exercise for the brain and for finger agility. It might feel a little confusing playing it with hands together, but you are ready for this challenge!
2. p.79 – Count and play the Mystery Song on p.79. Watch my video 31.1 above to hear how I count line two, measure 4, and line 3 measure 1. Remember Dotted Half Notes get 1½ counts (“1 & 2”) and are followed in this song by Eighth Notes which get ½ count (“&”). Fill in the letters to read the message below the song.
3. p.80-81 As I suggested in my video, play the 2^nd and 3^rd lines on p. 80 – hands separately – before writing the letters next to the note heads. Try the Word Search for a fun brain teaser. For the first week, play the 1st line on p.80, forward and backward, saying the note names as you play. Then on your second week, play the 2^nd line the same way.
4. Chord Calisthenics – Let’s revisit Chord Calisthenics #1, this time playing with hands together! Do the whole page (Appendix vi), all 12 keys.
5. Happy Spring! (If you are on my timeline, in the Northern Hemisphere, that is!) Review Spring, p.63. You can find the demonstration video and a reminder of how to play the repeats in Lesson 20.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you noticed an increase in your ability to think clearly, concentrate and remember things since starting our piano lessons, as the scientific studies predict? Do you find that even when it feels challenging, playing the piano makes you feel better? I notice that sometimes if I am feeling worried, anxious or stressed, if I sit at the piano and fully engage in my practice, it lifts my spirits. Does that work for you? Leave a comment below and tell us about the effects of piano lessons on your mood and mind.

As we hit mid-life and beyond, it’s natural for us to think more about what it truly means to live a successful life. Most will agree that successful aging goes well beyond the number of years we live.

What Is Successful Aging?

One potential definition of successful aging may be to say it encompasses holistic physical, social and emotional well-being, purposeful living, maintenance of our cognitive health, and an ongoing sense of fulfillment.

In other words, successful aging involves not just longevity, but also the ability to maintain a high quality of life as we grow older.

While genetics plays a role in determining our lifespan, there are several key factors within our control that can significantly impact how we age.

By understanding and implementing the secrets of successful aging, we can unlock our potential and increase the odds that we will continue to thrive in the future, too.

Physical Health and Well-Being

Maintaining physical health is a cornerstone of successful aging. This involves maintaining physical fitness, regular exercise, and adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, regular medical check-ups, and preventive measures like vaccinations and screenings.

By staying active and participating in fitness activities that promote endurance, flexibility, and balance, we can also enhance our ability to age with grace and independence.

Prioritizing both fitness and nutrition helps us to enhance our overall well-being and increase our resilience to age-related health challenges.

Successful aging also includes taking proactive steps to manage chronic conditions and seeking appropriate medical support when needed.

Emotional and Social Well-Being

Successful aging also includes maintaining a strong support network of family, friends, and community connections.

Staying connected to friends, family, and community members can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of isolation, and foster a sense of belonging.

Actively nurturing these relationships through regular social interactions, volunteer work, or joining interest groups can create opportunities for meaningful interactions and shared experiences and may also provide a sense of belonging and purpose.

Bridging the generation gap by engaging with younger people allows for exchange of wisdom, experiences, and learning.

Intergenerational activities and mentorship programs can contribute to a rich and fulfilling life.

Nurturing emotional well-being also involves developing strategies to cope with stress and seeking support when needed.

Adopting mindfulness practices and self-care activities can also contribute to emotional resilience.

Aging Successfully Includes Purposeful Living and a Growth Mindset

Successful aging involves identifying and pursuing meaningful activities and goals that align with personal values and passions.

This may include continuing education, volunteering, engaging in creative endeavors, or starting a new venture.

Continuing to learn and grow throughout life is key to successful aging.

Cultivating a growth mindset and seeking opportunities to learn, develop new skills, pursue hobbies and explore new interests fosters personal growth and contributes to a sense of fulfillment.

Taking up educational pursuits can stimulate the mind and foster curiosity and creativity, both of which have a strong correlation to higher levels of happiness and well-being.

Successful aging often includes a desire to make a difference and leave a positive impact on future generations.

This can be achieved through mentoring, philanthropy, or sharing wisdom and experiences with others.

Successful Aging Includes Maintaining Our Cognitive Health

Perhaps the most essential element of successful aging is maintenance of our cognitive health. Cognitive health is key, in and of itself.

Beyond this, however, staying intellectually active, agile, and capable facilitates our continued physical health, emotional health, social connections and more.

Scientists have begun to study a rare group of people who seem to defy the aging process when it comes to their cognitive abilities.

These individuals, known as “superagers,” are people who are over the age of 80 and still possess the mental abilities of much younger people.

Interestingly, a key element that sets superagers apart is their lifestyle. They tend to lead active and socially engaged lives, often participating in activities that challenge and stimulate their minds.

In other words, they actively commit to the other components of successful aging we have described above.

Embrace the Journey, Thrive in Your Golden Years

Each day presents an opportunity to accept change, cultivate connections, and pursue growth.

By actively managing all aspects of our well-being and by especially working to maintain our cognitive health, we can navigate the complexities of aging with grace and vitality.

We can all celebrate the wisdom that comes with experience, the continued magic of intellectual challenges, and the beauty of a life well-lived.

Let’s agree to commit to the blueprint above, too, and pledge to actively attend to our physical, emotional, social, cognitive health and more, so that we may all thrive in our golden years.

Together, let’s pursue this phase of our journey with enthusiasm, embracing every opportunity to live a life that is vibrant, purposeful, and rich in experiences.

And as we do, let’s redefine the meaning of successful aging and inspire others to do the same.

Please share all your hopes, dreams, ideas and challenges related to successful aging so we can all benefit and get stronger together!

Thank you as always for reading.

If you haven’t yet subscribed, please visit KindCompassCoach and enter your email address so you never miss a post. 

Let’s Start a Conversation:

Are there celebrities or famous people who you consider models of successful aging? Who do you most admire and why? Was there a role model in your life who personified what it means to age successfully? What have you done to follow their example? How do you model successful aging? What habits or new activities to you hope to pursue to further nurture your health and well-being?

Originally posted at: Scheana Shay’s Black Tube Top & Mini Skirt Set

Originally posted at: Scheana Shay’s Black Tube Top & Mini Skirt Set