Why I took up the cello in my 60sMichelle Hanson
Learning to play a musical instrument at any point in life
is good for the brain. Who cares if I sound like a 'sick
cow'?
It's exciting to know that I have done something right and
rewarding – taking up the cello in my 60s. A new study
from St. Andrew's University proves it. Taking up a musical
instrument, even late in life, is good for the brain, and “can
slow, stop, or even reverse, age or illness-related decline
in mental functions". Hurrah!
My efforts have been rewarded, because starting the cello
was a bit of a struggle, physically and mentally. Back
then, my mother was alive, and rather critical: “You sound
like a sick cow," she would cry out in a tormented way,
but I persisted, joined an orchestra, and now here I am,
with a bigger frontal cortex area than I might have otherwise
had, and able to “adjust my behaviour more effectively in
conflict-rich situations".
The more you practise the better, suggests the research.
Good. It will spur me on, sick cow or not. Because I
desperately need to keep my brain in order. Don't we all,
if we're going to live to over 100? Last week I went for a
walk with an old friend of mine and her dog. She is 92 and
browned off.
“How are you?" I asked. “Fed up. I want to die." This was
my mother's primary aim once she hit 96. “What do you
want for your birthday?" we would ask. “To be dead!", she
would say. No wonder. What else did life offer? At least
my old friend could walk about. My mother could hardly
walk, talk or eat.
If only they had played a musical instrument. You can do
it sitting down, on your own, with friends, cheer yourself
up, be in control, or wildly emotional. I cannot recommend
it highly enough.
Fonte: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/sep/
30/why-i-took-up-cello-in-60s
Glossário
took up: aprendi;
struggle: luta/muito esforço;
spur me
on: encorajar/estimular;
browned off: sem entusiasmo
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aquele que expressa o modo com que a autora avalia
sua experiência de tocar o violoncelo:
