5 Ways Piano Lessons are Good for You and Your Brain
Did you know that piano lessons are good for you?
The most intricately and perfectly coordinated of all voluntary movements in the animal kingdom are those of the human hand and fingers, and perhaps in no other human activity do memory, complex integration, and muscular coordination surpass the achievements of the skilled pianist.
Homer W. Smith, From Fish to Philosopher
Your brain on piano
While you are playing the piano, your brain is getting a lot of work done! Let’s go over a few of the ways your brain is working while you’re playing.
Your eyes are sight-reading which involves reading two lines of music, each in a different clef. At the same time, your ears are listening to the notes you’re playing and adjusting accordingly.
Both of your hands are often playing intricate rhythms independently from each other at the same time you’re keeping time.
A pianist’s spatial reasoning is excellent! They are able to know where all the notes are without having to look at the piano keyboard. It’s impressive when you think about it!
In addition, pianists transmit emotion by capturing the mood, style, and tempo of the song and are able to make it their own with their own artistic interpretation.
Pianists also use their feet! The left foot is used to operate the left unattended cord pedal and the right foot is used to operate the sustain pedal. (Feet come into play much more if you also play the organ.)
Touch is also used to determine how much force is needed to press the piano keys and foot pedals.
Playing the piano activates the brain in ways no other game, gadget, instrument or tool can. It’s the total brain workout!
Studies Show piano lessons help children excel
Cognitive Benefits
- Piano instruction is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills necessary for learning math and science. – Neurological Research, February 1997
- Students who received piano lessons scored 34% higher on tests indicating that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for mathematics, chess, science, and engineering. – University of California, Irvine Study
Emotional and social Benefits
- Playing the piano reduces stress and anxiety more than other creative art activities. – International Journal of Music Education, 2011
- Learning to play the piano requires patience and perseverance. Good pianists are masters of discipline.
- Playing the piano isn’t something you do just on your own. Playing with others is a social experience that teaches listening. communication, and teamwork.
Now that you know some of the wonderful benefits of playing piano, sit down at the piano and give it a go! Workout your brain today!
If you’d like to learn how to play and reap the benefits, send me an email and let’s get you started on your piano playing journey!
