> Music may be beneficial for non-cognitive constructs in children such as prosocial behavior and self-esteem. Learning music, incuding an instrument to play o

> Music may be beneficial for non-cognitive constructs in children such as prosocial behavior and self-esteem. Learning music, incuding an instrument to play on, teaches a ton of skills (focus, effortful practice techniques, managing failure and your limits, adapting what you have learned to different but similar music, work with other musicians on duets and more, etc) that you can learn through other mechanisms (athletics, LEGO/FIRST robotics, regular schoolwork). If anything, the ability to encounter a new piece of music (say jazz), connect it to styles or pieces you already understand, then to improvise off the style and make it your own is a process many developers do week to week with reading and adapting old code. You can't master one then immediately excel at the other but the base skills related to patience and effort connect. Anecdotally, I learned a few instruments growing up and although I resented part of the process I think it benefited me a ton. I felt like I had a drop off in focus and effort applied to tasks after I stopped paying after high school. I met and kept a ton of awesome friends through music and playing in school bands. I have a lot of memories and success stories that come from learning an instrument and how music works. That was compelling when learning about physics and sound or how in tune notes are created based on a mathematical equation. It was super helpful to connect with others who learned an instrument growing up, like a few of my friends I see (not anymore) or talk to weekly. So I can be a data point for the prosocial argument as well as self esteem. I think the process helped me get to where I am today, even if I don't play anymore.