Why Study Piano?

Piano lessons are a fundamental way to gain a broad appreciation of music. However, the real benefits that arise from playing the piano are primarily non-musical.

A piano student learns to read two lines of music, use both ears, arms, legs, feet, and all ten fingers, with the brain giving each body part a different assignment to perform simultaneously. No other activity allows a child to exercise all of these skills in such a constructive manner.

Physical Benefits

Piano lessons, therefore, develop coordination in both mind and muscles, which transfers to many daily activities. This includes improved hand-eye coordination, greater enjoyment and ability in sports, and the full use of both the left and right sides of the brain.

Confidence

As students begin to experience the benefits of concentration and coordination, they begin to experience a sense of confidence. Completing a difficult task is very rewarding and allows the student to feel good about what she has accomplished. Learning to play the piano is one of the best methods of instilling confidence in children and adults alike. Concentration, coordination, and confidence form a foundation unsurpassed for helping students grow.

Scientific Evidence

One recent MIT study determined that the cerebral cortex of a concert pianist is enlarged by 30% on average compared to people that are considered intellectuals, but who did not have instrumental music education. Another study found that 75% of Silicon Valley CEO’s had instrumental music education as a child.

Brain Development

This article talks about how music training is linked to enhanced verbal skills.

It is not as crucial for students to play a piece of music with perfection as it is for them to develop to the best of their abilities. The piano is an educational tool that can help accelerate a child’s development and help adults maintain and gain benefits in brain age.

Follow the link to this article to find out how musical training affects brain development in young children.

Skills for a Lifetime

Discipline, patience, determination, and perseverance are some of the many other skills learned through piano training. Successful piano students have to work daily over extended periods to learn complex music. Piano helps students understand the concept of sustained effort, accomplish excellence and learn, and to put to practice the meaning of hard work. That is why having studied a music instrument for years is so advantageous when it comes time to apply to colleges and universities.