Examples of Social Music Activities for Adults

Want to get out more — maybe to have some fun with your friends and colleagues, get more engaged in your community, or just take a break from everyday tasks and focus on personal enjoyment? Consider participating in social music activities for adults. 

Whether you play the violin, tambourine, ukulele, or even nothing at all and simply want to enjoy the music, there's something for you. The possibilities for music group activities for adults are endless — you can play musical games with your friends for fun, take classes with other musicians to broaden your skills, host talent shows with team members to boost cohesion in the workplace, etc. 

Here, we look at fun social music activities you can incorporate in various groups. 

What does "social music activities" mean?

Social music activities use music as a central element to encourage entertainment, interaction, and engagement among individuals or groups. Why music? Well, the social benefits of music are undeniable. It acts as an icebreaker when among new people, enhances communication, promotes collaboration, and more. So, it's unsurprising that it'd be the central focus of events geared at helping adults engage better with each other. 

When planned and executed appropriately, social music activities can help build connections among participants, resulting in better relationships. However, the key word here is “appropriately.” To maximize your benefits, you need to make your activities accessible and inclusive enough for every invited party to attend. Ideally, it should be easy for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to attend and participate in your chosen activities. 

Examples of where you could incorporate social music activities

Did you know that only 3–4% of people don't enjoy music? This makes it one of the safest choices you can make for your social interactions — the odds that most people will have fun are in your favor. 

Social music activities can be a great fit for your friend groups, team members at work, and the community in general. Here are some examples of where and how to incorporate them:

With friends

Want to create stronger relationships? You can't go wrong with social music activities. Music increases the production of oxytocin, or the "love hormone," in the brain, making it easier for people to form personal connections and long-lasting relationships. There are numerous music activities you can incorporate into casual gatherings with friends, including:

• Attending music festivals like live concerts or music performances together 
• Liaising with music therapists to offer music therapy sessions
• Hosting karaoke nights to let the music flow out of each one of you 
• Arranging music listening parties where everyone gets to share their favorite songs or albums 
• Forming a band with friends to create music together for fun 

Trala can help you make the most out of your experiences. With Trala, you receive professional instruction from world-class teachers and get access to a free practice app to make your sessions even more enjoyable. You’ll also have access to a broad community of other musicians and free monthly events you can watch or participate in via Zoom, even if you’re not an active Trala student.

At social parties

If you're an introvert or often feel awkward in large crowds, introduce music activities to your social gatherings to ease any anxiety or tension. Music can be the life of the party, boosting social interactions, creating a lively atmosphere, and making your party more memorable. Some music activity ideas you can incorporate include:

• Including a live band performance in your lineup 
• Setting up a DIY karaoke station 
• Organizing a themed music night, like ‘80s pop or ‘70s disco
• Hiring a DJ to provide entertainment or encouraging guests to take their chance at the turntable 
• Playing fun musical games like “guess the song title,” sing-alongs, or lip-sync battles

Again, Trala can help you make the most of your social parties. The platform connects you with thousands of music enthusiasts who can provide ideas to make your party the best one yet. 

In the community

Music can encourage community building and engagement by facilitating the formation of social bonds. So, if you want to get to know people in your community better or encourage interactions to boost cohesion, it's an excellent starting point. Luckily, there's no shortage of music activity ideas for the community. You could:

• Host a block party with music themes 
• Form or join a community choir, band, or ensemble — Trala can help you prepare by providing professional music instruction 
• Plan a music event by collaborating with local artists 
• Host or volunteer at an event like a "music and movement" day at a local park 
• Organize a music workshop to provide music education, such as songwriting or instrument playing. You can polish up your knowledge and skills beforehand by leveraging Trala's music teachers or trying one of Trala’s courses. 

Whatever idea you choose, focus as much on ensuring inclusivity and building a sense of belonging for attendees as you do on creating a memorable experience. Your event should be accessible to everyone, from older adults to people with special needs and developmental disabilities, to encourage all community members to join in on the fun.  

In the workplace

Playing or organizing music activities can boost employee morale and promote a positive workplace culture. Some activities can also encourage team bonding, paving the way for effective collaboration and teamwork. Here are some music and group activity ideas you can incorporate:

• Play background music for productivity — options like classical music enhance cognitive abilities. 
• Organize regular music breaks where employees listen to or play music. 
• Start a workplace music club or band. 
• Host a talent show where people showcase their musical talents. 

Want to wow team members even more? Recommend Trala lessons to help them gain musical skills they can showcase during their breaks or your annual talent show. 

With other musicians

If you're a musician or aspiring musician, you can use music to create and maintain your music community by scheduling regular group activities with fellow artists. Social music activities with other musicians can help you develop your skills further, foster professional connections, and create long-lasting friendships or partnerships. Some activities to consider include:

• Plan or attend music camps to broaden your skills and interact with other musicians. 
• Participate in open jam sessions in local music stores, schools, or cafes. 
• Join or form a band. 
• Attend classes or courses focused on specific music genres or special interests. For example, you could attend body percussion classes with fellow musicians to learn how to make music with your body. 
• Make adaptations of a popular piece of music and ask everyone to present their version. 

Leverage online music communities and social platforms to communicate with other musicians and share ideas. Trala is also a great resource for gaining access to thousands of other music enthusiasts at all skill levels. 

How to make sure your social music activities are a success

Proper planning is vital to organizing the perfect social music activity. Here are some tips that can help you arrange successful and memorable activities:

Plan ahead to have the right resources

If you're hosting an in-person event, like a live band or workshop, find the right venue. It should be large enough to accommodate all expected participants and suitable for the type of musical activity you have planned. 

For example, if you want to organize a concert for the community, your venue should have appropriate acoustics. Conduct sound tests before the day of the event and hire a professional acoustician to help you during the trial. 

Your venue should also be accessible. Ideally, it should be near your participants' locations and have accessibility features like ramps, lifts, wide doorways, and barrier-free pathways to promote inclusivity. 

After finding a suitable venue, prepare all the necessary equipment. Depending on your activity, this could include musical instruments, speakers, turntables, karaoke machines, and microphones. If your event venue doesn't provide them in your package, consider renting or borrowing them from local music shops or community centers. 

If you plan to host an online activity, find a reliable platform beforehand. Consider factors like sound and video quality, ease of use, and reviews to provide high-quality, memorable experiences. 

Consider your group's music preferences

To ensure everyone has a great experience, tailor your music selection to fit the preferences and demographics of attendees. If you're hosting a friends’ activity, you can ask them to provide their favorite playlists and incorporate them into your plans. For larger groups, like members of the community or employees, provide surveys or conduct social media polls asking them which type of music they listen to. 

Promote your event effectively

Want to have a full house for your activities? Market them weeks or months before your chosen date to allow potential attendees to include them in their plans early enough. You can use local bulletin boards, social media platforms, and word of mouth to inform people about your upcoming event. 

Marketing is essential even in friend groups, as it helps participants prepare effectively. Ensure clear, engaging, and informative promotion, specifying time, place, and what attendees can expect.

Create memorable social experiences through music today

Music boosts self-esteem, allows self-expression, promotes social skills, and fosters collaboration. As such, social music activities are always a great idea. Consider organizing activities like musical games, karaoke sessions, live performances, and music classes to facilitate more interactions in your circles. They can encourage engagement and strengthen bonds and relationships, promoting cohesion in your social circles. 

Trala can help you get the most out of music activities by providing expert lessons to prepare you for your musical interactions. Trala’s free app also provides access to a large community, which can help you broaden your musical horizons and meet more like-minded musicians. 

Start with Trala today to learn from world-class teachers and share activity ideas with thousands of other students!