用音樂陶冶生活：你應該學一種樂器的8個原因
If you've been waving over the idea of learning how to play, here are some reasons to play a musical instrument! There is so much to be gained from just taking some time out every week to practice and get better. If you already play, but have lost your motivation, check out these reasons to play a musical instrument to fall in love with your instrument again!
如果你還在猶豫要不要學樂器，看看下面這幾個學習樂器的理由吧！每週抽出一些時間去練習會讓你有很多收穫。如果你已經學了，但是失去了動力，看看下面的理由，你會重新愛上你的樂器的！
1. You'll be smarter
你會更加聰明
One of the reasons to play a musical instrument is because it will actually make you smarter. Many studies have been done on this, and they all show that playing an instrument changes the structure of your brain, expanding the parts that control hearing and memory. Musicians have even been found to pick up new languages easier. Pretty cool, right?
學習演奏樂器的一個原因是實際上它會讓你更加聰明。很多研究表明演奏樂器能夠改變大腦的結構，擴展控制聽力和記憶的部分。人們發現音樂家學習新的語言會更加容易。很酷，對嗎？
2. Entirely new language
全新的語言
Speaking of new languages, learning to play an instrument will actually teach you a new language in and of itself: music theory. Those little black dots on lines aren’t just dots, they’re an entire language spoken through music that the composer wrote, in the same way an author would write a novel. There’s so much to learn besides the notes, such as keys and time signatures, just to name some basic ones.
說到新的語言，學習演奏樂器實際上也是學習一門新的語言：音樂理論。那些線上的小黑點兒不僅僅是黑點兒，它們是一門語言，作曲家用這門語言作曲，就像作家用語言寫小說一樣。除了樂符外還有很多要學的內容，比如按鍵和拍子記號等，這些都是基本內容。
3. It passes the time
它能打發時間
If you’re ever bored, you can always pick up your instrument and play. I play the piano, and sometimes when I want to relax and just take some time to myself, I’ll go sit down and start playing. Before I know it, an hour has gone by, and I’ve gotten in valuable practice time as well as gotten rid of stress and had some personal fun for a while. It’s something that you’ll always be able to do, and you’ll never get bored, because there’s always a new song to learn!
如果你覺得無聊，那你可以在任何時候拿起樂器開始演奏。我彈鋼琴，有時當我想放鬆或自己獨處時，我會坐下演奏鋼琴。當我意識到時間的時候，一個小時已經過去了，我不僅度過了寶貴的練習時間，也去除了壓力，並且自娛自樂。只要你學會了，你想演奏就能演奏，不會感到無聊的，因爲總有新的歌曲可以學！
4. You'll be more fun
你會享受更多樂趣
I have a friend who plays the ukulele, and she takes it with her everywhere because it’s so small and portable. If we’re somewhere like an outdoor mall or even outside of an ice cream shop where people won’t mind the noise, she’ll just start playing. You’d be amazed at how quickly a crowd forms around her! People start requesting songs, and in no time at all, she’s made her own little concert for all these people she doesn’t even know! People gravitate to musicians, because there’s something inherently welcoming and fun about music. Haven’t you ever been entranced by that cute guy playing the guitar? Of course! Now it’s your turn to do the entrancing!
我有個朋友會彈尤克里裏，她去哪裏都會帶着，因爲非常小方便攜帶。如果我們去到類似於戶外商城的地方，或者在冰激凌店外也可以，這種地方人們一般不會介意噪音，然後她就會開始彈奏，會有很多人的圍聚過來，是不是很神奇？人們會開始點歌，她立刻就可以在這些完全不認識的人面前開一個小型的音樂會。人們都會被音樂家吸引，音樂天生就有一種受歡迎的歡樂魔力。你難道沒有過被那個彈吉他的可愛傢伙吸引的經歷？當然有啦！現在輪到你來讓別人爲你着迷啦！5. It's an invaluable skill
它是寶貴的技能
Being a musician for a living is tough, but knowing how to play an instrument well is a skill that can never be taken away from you. Once you learn, you’ll never completely forget it. It’s something to fall back on if you ever need it. Out of a job? Perhaps scout out some local bands that are willing to pay for your skills at your particular instrument. Or, if you’re skilled enough, you can give lessons and make money that way.
當音樂家來養家餬口是很難的，但是知道如何演奏樂器確實是一項終身的技能。一旦你學會了，你就永遠不會忘記。你需要時就可以用它。找不到工作？也許去當地的樂隊找找，說不定他們願意僱你演奏樂器。或者如果你的演奏技巧相當熟練，你可以講授課程，通過這種方式來賺錢。
6. You’ll develop an ‘ear’
會開發音樂“耳朵”
One of the things that I love most about being a musician is that I hear music in an interesting way. Most people hear the song as a whole, but I personally listen for certain aspects of it. I can appreciate an interesting chord progression, or a key change, and understand the dynamics of a song and what makes it work. Trust me, that will make you love a song a thousand times more. And perfect harmonies are like the kryptonite of any musician with a good ear. You hear a well executed harmony and your knees will just turn to jelly from pleasure!
作爲音樂家，我最喜歡的一件事情是用一種有趣的方式來傾聽音樂。大部分的人都把歌曲當做整體來聽，但我個人是從幾個方面去聽的。我可以欣賞有趣的和絃進行、按鍵的變化、理解歌曲的變化和原理。相信我，這會讓你把一首歌聽上上千次。完美的和聲對於擁有敏感耳朵的音樂家而言簡直就是致命的誘惑。聽到好的和聲，你會開心得雙腿發軟。
7. Can play other instruments
可以演奏其他樂器
If you can play just one musical instrument, you’ll be able to learn how to play others relatively quickly. Once you’ve developed an ear for music, you’ll be able to tell what sounds good and what doesn’t, so even if you don’t want to take lessons for a new instrument, you’ll be able to teach yourself. Playing many instruments is a huge benefit, and something that you’ll never know when you’ll need. If you wanted to go the route of giving lessons, you’d be able to give lessons for all the instruments you play and perhaps make that a full time job!
如果你會演奏一種樂器，你會很快地學會演奏其他樂器。一旦你有了一雙音樂的耳朵，你就能知道什麼聽起來好聽什麼不好聽，所以即便你不想上課去學新的樂器，你也能自學。演奏多種樂器會很大有裨益，你永遠不知道你什麼時候需要它。如果你想走培訓的路線，那你可以講授多種課程，也許培訓會成爲你的全職工作！
8. You'll find peace
你會找到平和
That might sound cheesy, but you will. Music is a powerful emotional stimulus, and it’s something you can always turn to whenever you’re feeling bad. Many people I know have said that playing their instruments helped them deal with their depression and other emotional issues. It’s a method of release, and even of meditation if you use it that way. If you’re having overwhelming negative feelings, give an instrument a chance. It could be just the thing you need to help you through it.
聽起來有些俗氣，但是你會的。音樂是一種有力的情感刺激，無論你何時感覺不好，你都可以求助於它。我認識的很多人都說演奏樂器能幫助他們處理抑鬱和其他情感問題。它是一種發泄的方法，還可以作爲一種冥想的方式。如果你有大量的負面情緒，試試樂器吧。 它可能就是你需要的東西，它能夠幫助你。
Music is a passion of mine, but I know that may not be the case for everyone. Still, I hope this list has inspired some people to learn to play an instrument. Which one would you be most interested in learning?
音樂對我來說是種激情，但我知道可能並不適用於所有的人。然而，我希望上面的這幾點能激發一些人去學習演奏樂器。你最想學習哪種樂器呢？
