Why Learn to Play Piano

Why learn to play piano?? The study of Piano increases brain function by a considerable percentage. Students who study piano learn to think and use their brains differently than the average student who has had no musical training. They learn to think logically and rationally with attention to details that other students may miss.

Sure...piano is fun and can benefit us in many ways. We get self-confidence, memory skills, concentration skills, focus, dexterity, eye and hand coordination and social skills from our practice. Art is a discipline and that is why we study it. We want our students to grow in their knowledge of the great disciplines so that they may become all they can be. I believe that the study of Piano can facilitate a child becoming a Doctor rather than a lab technician, or.... an Administrator rather than an administrative assistant. I believe that it makes that much difference in a child's education and life.

Studying any instrument imparts musical appreciation, coordination, discipline and problem solving aptitude. As a student progresses, attentiveness, concentration, mathematical perscpective, cultural awareness and dexterity also increase.

The piano is one of the most popular musical instruments. Because it is easy to produce pleasing sound from a piano, students are able to focus more on musical expression than on the sound production process. As a harmonic instrument that can create multiple notes simultaneously, the piano is like a single instrument orchestra. Since harmony is one of the most important aspects of written music, it is no mystery that over 90% of famous composers were / are also pianists.

When you learn to play piano up a whole new world of beauty and inner enchantment only known to the performer. Creating and playing music nurtures the mind and soul. Besides the artistic enjoyment, there are many practical benefits related to studying the piano. Through piano study you are not only learning to play a musical instrument, but also expanding your mental capacity, improving coordination and motor skills, increasing self-esteem, gaining an appreciation of the arts, providing a greater emotional outlet and learning greater self discipline.

A recent study shows that children who study piano score higher on their SAT's. Preschoolers with musical intervention show nearly a 50% boost in spatial IQ. Another study of 78 preschoolers found that learning to play the piano enhances the abstract-reasoning skills needed for learning math and science. The children in the study were divided into four group: the first received the piano keyboard lessons; the second group - singing lessons; the third, computer lessons; and the fourth, no training. The children who were taught piano performed 34 percent higher on "thinking" tasks than the children in the other groups. the benefits of playing the piano begin in early development, and last a lifetime.

A related study by University of Wisconsin Professor, Dr. Frances Rauscher published in 1997 in the Scientific Journal Neurological Research showed that children involved with keyboard instruction at an early age showed significantly enhanced abstract reasoning abilities, critical to success in science and complex math.

Recent research shows that children who study music, demonstrate better reading skills, a higher level of creativity and better grades in school. Some psychologists have observed children who could play piano were more self confident and had better self esteem. Piano studies are an investment in a child's future because it is something more than just learning how to appreciate music, it is development of a great skill which will last a lifetime.

Adults can also benefit from taking piano lessons, because for some it is their time for relaxation and for others, it is a fulfillment of their life long dream to be able to play their favorite music. There is an increasing amount of scientific research showing the benefits of musical training to the human brain. Some researchers suggest that it can boost brain circuitry and increases certain mental functions.

For years, arts advocates have argued that when you learn to play piano it develops the concentration, coordination, and self-confidence necessary for children to excel in other facets of their lives. Recent studies support this claim. A 1989 study conducted using 282 second graders in Greenwood, Mississippi concluded that by the end of two semesters of piano study, children in the piano class scored an average of seven percentage points higher on Standard Achievement Tests as compared to those who did not study piano. The piano group demonstrated a greater ability to concentrate and showed marked improvement in coordination and self-confidence. This is only one proven example of what piano study can do for your child.

Group learning has long been recognized as one of the most efficient ways to teach children academic subject matter. A group environment has the added benefits of using positive peer pressure as an incentive to learn and the interaction between students that encourages and promotes understanding. These benefits are multiplied when studying piano. The opportunity to make music together with friends and classmates who share common goals and skills adds additional incentives for progress and success. In group lessons, the children participate in activities that are fun, thus instilling positive lifetime attitudes toward music and learning.

Piano lessons are a fundamental way to give a student a broad appreciation of music. But the real benefits that arise from playing the piano are primarily non-musical. It is not as important for a student to play a piece of music to perfection as it is for her to develop to the best of her 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.

A child 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.

First of all, the benefits of music education in general is vast and far-reaching. There are numerous studies to support why music helps children with a wide range of intellectual and psychomotor skill tasks. One article cites twelve different areas as to why music education is important. In an article on how piano lessons improve IQ, when students who studied either piano or computer were compared, students in the piano program showed 34% higher scores. Which gets us into a whole group of articles on the benefits of piano playing in particular! So let's take a closer look at the PIANO as opposed to other musical instruments.

Unlike many other instruments that require pre-preparation of learning correct fingerings, mouth position, air support, breathing, bowing, and other mannerisms, piano allows the student to instantly begin to make music. While hand placement and technique in piano is very important, it does not hinder the student in being able to immediately make music right from the very first lesson.

Now, I would like to share with you some of the very important reasons that you should make music a significant part of your life and the life of your child. If you do not believe me, I have supplied the testimonies of many others. I hope you will agree with us!

A comprehensive series of skill tests were run on 5,154 fifth graders in all 75 of the Albuquerque, NM elementary schools. In EVERY SINGLE TEST AREA, kids who were learning to play a musical instrument received higher marks than their classmates. And, the longer the school children had been in the instrumental programs, the higher they scored.