Back from War. Over the past several years, I have gotten the privilege to work with Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans. Several of these young men have taken to learning to play instruments while in treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With PTSD, it is my inclination that playing an instrument is so helpful because it stimulates bilateral cognitive processing, meaning it stimulates processing across both hemispheres of the brain. In some types of therapies for trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the idea is to reprocess the trauma in a way that spreads the information across both hemispheres of the brain, breaking it up in a way so that it is not “stuck” in one area, causing the person to stay in a traumatized state. Alright, so the idea is to move information around the brain. What else triggers multiple parts of the brain and requires movement across the two hemispheres? Playing music. So in learning and playing an instrument, a veteran is practicing using all parts of his brain, which is important when you realize that he is dealing with trauma and simultaneously in treatment to reprocess traumatizing experiences in a way that will allow him to think about those experiences without reliving them. So when a veteran learns to play an instrument, he is, one, teaching himself to use his entire brain to process information, and two, he is learning and integrating a “feel good” skill, which would help him to avoid self-medicating with drugs or alcohol.
If you are a veteran, try to integrate learning an instrument into your recovery process. Here are some tips to do this:
- Go to a local music store, there are Guitar Centers everywhere, and try out a couple of instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele). See what jumps out at you, and what feels comfortable.
- Find a teacher at a music store or if your comfortable with online referrals (such as craigslist) find one online. You can also go it alone and get a method book that includes a play along CD, I have listed some suggestions here. If you are recovering from combat with symptoms of PTSD, look for a Music Therapist in your area.
- Be prepared for it to go slow at first, remember mastery requires 10,000 hours (from the Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell), so getting good is a fraction of that. Let yourself have fun. Go online and get some of your favorite songs in chord or tab form. (You are always welcome to email me if you have questions.)
“What if I want to select an instrument to target what I’m dealing with?”
- All instruments require the use of multiple areas of the brain and learning an instrument creates new neural pathways in the brain, even in adults! This is important if you are dealing with trauma because somehow your experience has gotten “hung up” in your brain structure and you need to start using your brain in new and different ways to change that brain structure. Of course therapy helps, but engaging in a new past time will help new areas develop in your brain to assist in this process, also you’ll get the added benefit of fun and relaxation.
- You may also approach the instrument with regard to what you are dealing with upon your return. For example, Drums are great for managing anger because they require physical activity and provide for a lot of “release.” If you have room, you can get an entire drum kit and learn pop, rock, jazz, and funk. You can also find a practice pad for quieter practice. If you have less room, get a djembe and work on hand drumming skills from African and Cuban cultures, this would also be good for learning Reggae music.
- Guitar is a popular instrument and will be a great way to work on concentration, mindfulness, and works well as a positive distraction. You just have to play every couple of days for 20-30 minutes so that you create callouses on your fingertips so that it doesn’t hurt your fingers. Electric guitars are going to be better for rock music and may also be good for the release of anger and tension, whereas a classical guitar will be more helpful for relaxation. Classical guitars have nylon strings and a wider neck, they are meant for fingerpicking in the classical or flamenco styles. An Acoustic guitar is the most often used, these can be used for both rock styles and fingerpicking. The acoustic and classical guitars can be taken everywhere, which is a bonus for guys or gals living on base.
- Piano is another great instrument for concentration, mindfulness, relaxation, and positive distraction. Piano can be somewhat more melodic and calming, so may be helpful for anxiety. You can approach learning the piano from a classical or modern vantage point.
- The Electric Bass is wonderful for relaxation. Its low tones are instantly grounding and calming. Also, the bass is somewhat easier for the beginner because of its big frets and the fact that you generally only play one note at time. The bass is also good for folks with bigger fingers. Be sure to get a book that has tracks to play along with because the bass is a social instrument, it’s fun if you have someone to play along with.
- The Ukulele. Great for relaxation and to lighten your mood. Ukuleles are generally small, fun, soft, joyful, and easy.
- The Banjo. A wonderful instrument for lightening your mood. This is for someone interested in fingerpicking, can be a bit of a challenge at first, you may need some lessons to get you going, but a totally fun and versatile instrument.
**I have listed some method books that you can look for on my website.
Another helpful resource for veterans: Courage After Fire, by K. Armstrong, Dr. S. Best, and Dr. P. Domenici.
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