It’s music to my ears and to my heart. Playing the piano can make you healthier and smarter. There’s scientific research to prove it. Here’s the top 10 ways being a piano player can improve the quality of your life.
1. Music keeps your ears young.
Older musicians don’t experience typical aging in the part of the brain (the auditory cortex) that often leads to hearing troubles. It’s never too late to start taking piano lessons and prevent these age-related changes. (The Record.com – Michael Roizen, MD and Mehmet Oz, MD)
2. It boosts your test scores.
Middle school and high school students who participated in instrumental music scored significantly higher than those that didn’t in standardized tests. University studies conducted in Georgia and Texas found significant correlations between the number of years of instrumental music instruction and academic achievement in math, science and language arts. (University of Sarasota Study, Jeffrey Lynn Kluball; East Texas State University Study, Daryl Erick Trent)
3. It alters your brain.
Northwestern University scientists have pulled together a review of research into what music — specifically, learning to play music — does to humans. The result shows music training does far more than entertain us by playing the piano, for example. On top of that, it actually changes our brains.
The paper, published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, is a compilation of research findings from scientists all over the world. According to the Northwestern scientists, the findings strongly indicate learning to play music adds new neural connections — and that primes the brain for other forms of human communication. The bottom line to all these studies: musical training has a profound impact on other skills including speech and language, memory and attention, and even the ability to convey emotions vocally. (NaturalNews)
4. It helps with language skills.
Researchers also found that musicians are better than non-musicians in learning to incorporate sound patterns for a new language into words. Their brains also appear to be primed to comprehend speech in a noisy background. Moreover, children with learning disabilities, who often have a hard time focusing when there’s a lot of background noise, may be especially helped by music lessons. Music training (like piano lessons Atlanta) strengthens the same neural processes that often are deficient in those with developmental dyslexia or those who have difficulty hearing speech in noise.
5. It keeps your brain “fit.”
Children who have had music lessons tend to have a larger vocabulary and better reading ability than youngsters who haven’t had any musical training. The Northwestern researchers concluded their findings making a case for including music in school curriculums: “The effect of music training suggests that, akin to physical exercise and its impact on body fitness, music is a resource that tones the brain for auditory fitness and thus requires society to re-examine the role of music in shaping individual development.”
6. It breeds future success.
Besides the joy piano playing brings, there is a strong link between playing the piano and the development of skills needed to be successful in life. Some of the benefits of playing the piano include developing strong discipline skills, patience, coordination, and dedication as well as an increased ability to memorize. According to a Michigan State University research project, piano-playing Americans reported that piano lessons significantly reduced their incidence of depression and anxiety.
7. It’s good for your well-being.
A piano player will also note a marked decrease in loneliness.
8. It’s a stress reliever.
Science says there are good medical reasons to play a musical instrument. It can reverse stress at the molecular level. (Studies conducted by Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Applied Biosystems; Medical Science Monitor)
9. It makes you feel good.
Making music can help reduce job burnout and improve your mood, according to a study exposing long-term care workers to recreational music-making sessions of group drumming and keyboard accompaniment. (Advances in Mind-Body Medicine)
10. It affects hormones.
Playing music increases human growth hormone (HgH production among active older Americans). Findings of a study revealed that the test group who took group keyboard lessons showed significantly higher levels of HgH than the control group people who did not play. (University of Miami)
These healthy benefits brought to you by the folks at CooperPiano.com.
I love this positive list!!! As a piano student who started her lessons at age 56, purchased her Cooper Knabe baby grand at 59, and made her first cd of classical lullabies for her new grandbaby at 60, I can’t begin to tell you how much pleasure I get from my piano!!!
I play the keyboards for 20 years and I still play. Do Digital Pianos work or any type of piano? I play the Digital Piano/Keyboards.
Any keyboard playing will provide benefits!
I feel great! – I play by ear and make up tunes. IT’S AWESOME, i recommend piano playing.
Uread piano music then memorize it
U aksi like singing
I take a song I like then play it in key of c
avoiding all the flats and sharps
I play pianos from memory because my eyes are too
weak to try reading piano music
alan
I’ve been playing the piano since I was a little kid, now at age 33 I still have a deep love for the Piano and since have graduated to an even tougher instrument…the Pipe Organ. Making music is amazing and relaxing and theraputic.
Hmm… I feel that once you make it a necessity to play the piano, it becomes quite a burden
Just play as a hobby when you feel like it.
I started having piano lessons when i was 38.i am now 51 and am studying for grade 8.learning the piano has been the single most profound thing i ever did
I’m glad you have found the joy playing the piano gives!
I also play by ear. Amazing. The joy it brings is profound. I tear sometimes when I’m away from my keyboard & feel the need to feed my soul.
It is a great way to relax!
I thought it was really interesting how studies have shown that playing a musical instrument is correlated with academic achievement and test scores. My daughter has expressed a mild curiosity in playing the piano. Knowing that it will also condition her brain to perform better academically makes me feel even more willing to enroll her in lessons right away. She’ll need a piano to practice on, so would you suggest I look into getting a used piano in order to save a little bit of money?
Yes, you could also rent a piano.
I started when I was 5. Then stopped at university. Now I’m in my 30s, I started taking lessons again a few months ago and have been practising 5 days a week. I even performed at the recital after the first month of lessons. I plan on keeping the practice until I can no longer play physically. It is until this time around that I began to learn about the benefits of playing piano and to discover what type of music I actually enjoy playing. The cost for lessons can be a concern to some, but take advantage of discount options or take lessons every other week instead. Playing the piano = brain exercise + remarkable enjoyment!
I am 88 a man I love the piano
never had lessons
play be ear and read music
happy new year
In my personal life I experience less anxiety and depression than when i was younger all thanks to playing the piano. I started having piano lessons when I was 24. learning the piano has been the single most BEST thing I’ve ever done. Once you become familiar with the piano, you will find your multitasking skills in the outside world a lot easier. Ive also noticed that I’ve gained arm muscles! The people at https://bit.ly/2Yl9lGb made learning EASY and fun. Within two days of use I already felt like I’ve got my money’s worth out of the course. Order your copy and see for yourself!
Thank you so much for explaining how playing the piano can help someone’s brain benefit it in a lot of ways. I was already willing to give my son a shot at learning the instrument since he seemed so interested in it, but these brain benefits are very convincing since I want him to grow up as bright as he can be. I’ll cultivate his interest by looking for any place I can get pianos from and make sure he plays it as much as he wants to.
How awesome that music helps people with learning languages. I am pregnant this year and want my daughter to be able to learn the piano when she’s old enough. I will find a good piano tuning service to assist.
How wonderful to know that music changes your brain. My daughter wants to learn to play the piano this year. I will also find her a great intro gospel piano book to practice.