Benefits of Piano Study
If you were to do an online search for "benefits of music study", you would find many well-written and insightful articles on the subject. (See my favorite picks below.) There are now numerous scientific studies that back up the idea that music study has far-reaching positive effects that last our entire lives. For example, it’s been shown that taking music lessons between the ages of 5 and 7 can result in more connections between the right and left hemispheres of the brain ("Training-induced neuroplasticity in young children."). While these scientific studies are fascinating to read, to me, the most important thing is how much FUN it is to play a musical instrument!
As for choice of instrument, piano is probably the best to start with, for several reasons. For one thing, it’s much easier to go from reading piano music (more than one note at a time) to reading music written for a single-line instrument, such as clarinet, rather than the other way around.
Here are some of my favorite beyond-the-lessons benefits, all of which are related to the overall concept of being consciously focused:
The Learning Process
We all know that repetition is the cornerstone of learning any new skill; however, it's repetition of what is wanted that is the key! When a student learns to move their attention away from the "unwanted" aspects of playing a piece, and learns to focus on what is desired, that skill alone is profoundly applicable to all areas of life, from problem-solving to changing limiting habits of thought. Learning to play a musical instrument is in itself a way of learning how to "practice" what you want!
Utilizing the Whole Brain
In learning to play a piece of music, the intriguing thing about practice-through-repetition, is that it also involves focusing on different aspects of playing the piece. For example, at times you might focus on the beat, then on the physicality of posture, arms, hands, fingers.... all while listening to the intricacies of the melodies and harmonies. Because playing the piano involves such a range of physical-mental-emotional focus, practice can be hugely satisfying! The kind of focus that is required at the piano vs. at the computer, for example, is what makes piano-playing much more energizing, more balancing. For students who have a heavy homework load, a session of piano practice can refresh the mind!
Appreciation
There is no higher emotional state than that of love and appreciation. When we’re in a state of appreciation, we receive inspiration, things easily fall into place for us, we’re in the right place at the right time, and on and on.... Plus, it just feels good! When you study a musical instrument, you learn to hear in new ways, and that experience leads to more profound appreciation of the sounds and feelings of music, in whatever style your affinity lies. I happen to love classical music. Just listening to an orchestral symphony can ease any burden I may be feeling, and put me back in touch with who I really am. I consider Appreciation to be the most important of all benefits
Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings the whole day through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as you will." ~Thomas Carlyle
Click on titles to follow links to some wonderful articles and videos about the benefits of music study:
- "How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain", by Anita Collins, TED Ed Lesson.
- “Is Music the Key to Success?”, by Joanne Lipman, The New York Times, October 12, 2013.
- ”From the Bandroom to the Boardroom: The 9 Common Lessons of Music Education That Translate into Success”, an excerpt from the book, Everything We Needed to Know About Business, We Learned Playing Music, by Craig M. Cortello.
- "Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits", by Perri Klass, MD, The New York Times, September 10, 2012.
- “The Benefits of Music Education”, by Laura Lewis Brown, PBS Parents.
- “18 Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument”, by Michael Matthews, Effective Music Teaching website.
- “Three Reasons Every Adult Should Take Music Lessons”, by Justin Miller, Music Teachers Helper website.
- “Piano for Body, Mind and Soul”, from Steinway and Sons website.
- “Mom's Love Affair with the Piano”, by Irene Chu Hsu
