A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has found that playing a musical instrument is beneficial for your cognitive abilities as you age. The study examined 1,107 people over the age of 40 in the UK, with an average age of 67.82. Participants self-reported their musical experience via a questionnaire and took part in a cognitive assessment. Researchers found that four aspects of musicality, listening to music, playing an instrument, singing and self-reporting ability, impacted cognitive behavior compared to those without a musical background. The research also found that while playing keyboard-based instruments, like the piano or organ, had the biggest benefit on memory and executive function, followed by brass and woodwind instruments. The social aspect of music may also be beneficial for the brain, as singers had better complex task completion as they aged.