String players have always had a reputation for being smart. Einstein played the violin and many other highly intelligent people either play or grew up playing a string instrument. However, recent research has shown that playing cello does, in fact, increase mental flexibility and “brain plasticity,” developing brains both larger in volume and with heightened mechanisms of use.

In fact, a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital found “a correlation between musical training and improved executive function in both children and adults. Previous studies have identified a link between musical training and cognitive abilities, but few have looked specifically at the effects of early musical training on executive function.”

On top of the hard connections in your brain, you also develop your muscle memory in general. Let’s not forget that playing cello includes a lot of fine motor skills which are crucial to a good performance and technique.

Are you easily distracted? Tried meditation and it didn’t work? Well learning to play the cello can actually help you become better focused. You quickly build focus when you have to keep repeating a section during practice to make sure it is in tune and played with the metronome.

This never ends either. Once you’ve mastered one piece, you are on to the next piece meaning you constantly get better at focus. Once you have mastered the basic techniques as well, there are many more advanced techniques to learn.

Maintaining a consistent practice routine also builds up your discipline. Once you set a goal of being able to perform by a certain date you will focus on preparing for that performance and in turn become a more disciplined person.

When others hear you playing the cello they will awe at your performance.

The cello is used in many rock bands and grabbing an electric cello will only amplify (pun intended) the cool factor.

Wouldn’t you like to be these guys?!

Playing the cello allows you to escape the regular world while practicing or in rehearsal. If you have had a bad day, the cello can be very therapeutic; you can play any song that you are really good at and soon enough you will feel like you can take on the world again.

Sitting in orchestra rehearsal, focusing only on the music and blending your music with the music around you, can be a wonderful form of meditation. You soon forget about all the worries in your busy life for a few hours and let the music consume you.

Many people who play feel a positive influence from the instrument on the rest of their life. They feel uplifted psychologically and spiritually by the cello. Playing brings the mind and the body together in a strengthening way.

Imagine being able to live comfortably by playing cello. While becoming a famous cellist like Yo-Yo Ma or being principal of the New York Philharmonic is highly unlikely, you can still take on a career as a cellist.

Many cities have minor professional orchestras that are not as competitive as the major orchestras and they still pay. In addition, you can become a private music teacher instructing students in learning to play the cello.

If being a full-time cellist is not for you, you can always play for gigs. Weddings and other events often hire quartets to play. You can make some great money from these gigs and you sometimes get free food!

One of the best parts about playing the cello is that you meet lifelong friends who share a common interest. From your stand partner in high school to that violinist you played a gig with, as a cellist you have so many opportunities to build close relationships with those around you.

No matter where life leads you, these friends will always have cello and orchestra in common with you. Years down the road, you can still reminisce about all the orchestra memories you share.

Even if you don’t make best friends for life, you are bound to meet a lot of great people who share the same interests as you do.