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[Photo by Ashley Osborn]

Half of new guitar players are women, says study

Fender found out that 50 percent of beginner guitar players are women.

The study also points out at the emotional benefits of playing an instrument.

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According to a new study by Fender, the diversity of guitar players is growing. To begin with, women are 50 percent of all beginner and aspirational players.

Plus, the number of African-Americans and Hispanics learning to play guitar is increasing. The former group accounts for 19 percent, while the latter makes up 25 percent of beginners.

Research shows that 72 percent of people pick up guitar to learn a skill or for self-betterment. In most cases (61 percent), guitar players want to learn songs to play by themselves or socially, but are not looking to start a band.

Fender’s study also found that there are emotional benefits to playing guitar. For one, players experience increased creativity and self-expression. In addition to that, respondents also noted benefits like better increased patience, confidence in themselves and their skills. Another unlikely result is improved work ethic and persistence.

Need more? Neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin, who conducted the study, found out even more mental and physical benefits, including delaying Alzheimer’s disease.

Levitin also found increased feelings of compassion, bonding, empathy and generosity toward others in beginner guitar players.

After all of that, who’s ready to start learning? Even if you can’t afford guitar lessons, there’s a way. Fender’s study found that most beginning and aspirational guitar players say online video tutorials are the most-effective way to learn guitar. Yes, better than private lessons.

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