2020 is the year of home activities. Many of us are forced to stay at home and it’s important to fill our time with meaningful hobbies. While Netflix is amazing, it doesn’t really offer any value other than entertainment. Playing the piano however, is proven by many to have positive effects on your mind and body. Here I list the TOP 5 benefits of learning the piano.
Boosting Brain Performance
Learning the piano requires focus and high concentration. The player needs to put their effort towards accomplishing new tasks. Coordinating both hands simultaneously to achieve harmony and sensible music helps to improve your motor skills. Since a pianist needs to read sheet music and play at the same time, the brain improves reaction time and productivity. Nerve sensitivity is boosted as you become more sensitive to sounds. As a pianist perfects hand, feet, ear, and eye coordination, the neural pathways widen giving more access to the brain. The brain also faces complex tasks as challenges, which is good workout for the brain.
Continuous practice helps to give your brain useful exercises. The exercises align your brain to identify aural variations in music.
People who play piano consistently are able to produce higher human growth hormones. It acts as a natural pain reliever and stress reliever among the elderly. Students with a background in piano lessons have an advantage over their counterparts who do not play piano. They record high academic test scores and exhibit strong reading skills. Music theory is also associated with improved arithmetic. Rhythm beats, and scales are essential in understanding math better.
Stress Reliever
Research has established that listening to music is therapeutic. It however, depends on the music too. Listening to upbeat music can boost a person’s mood to create happiness. Playing music has bigger implications to the player than listening. Scientific surveys reveal that people who learn to play piano exhibit diminished stress levels.
Studies have shown that learning to play the piano forces a person to focus on integrating rhythms. The effort to coordinate both hands to achieve harmony requires attention. This concentration helps to distract one from the negativity of everyday life. It is also a humbling experience as it is a slow continuous process for most people. Players are exposed to tasks that take them out of their comfort zones. By doing this, the players are able to humble themselves to learn new things. Accomplishing new tasks helps to bring peace and satisfaction. Learning to play the piano will therefore bring you to a state of joyful wonder, awe, and excitement.
Improved Social Skills
Since music requires teamwork, learning the piano gives the player a chance to participate in bands and orchestras. The result is; improved social skills. A player is also able to better manage their time because it involves schedules with other musicians playing different instruments. Associating and coordinating with other musicians allows sharing of ideas.
Engaging in advanced piano lessons requires a pianist to write music. Composing music needs sharing of ideas with professionals and amateurs alike. This is a good opportunity to extend a helping hand and benefit from the creativity of friends. Musical classes provide the opportunity to meet people with common interests in music. You can build connections, friendships and a network of lifetime associates.
Disagreements are a common part of group settings. Musical teams require frequent conflict resolution for understanding. A piano player learns quick polite methods of resolving issues by attending piano classes. Appreciating another personals point of view is a critical part of anyone’s life.
Raising Self-Esteem
A case study of children has shown that learning to play piano has a positive effect on self-esteem. I think it’s safe to say that same effect works on adults as well. Learning piano trains you for delayed gratification, which in itself has a lot of benefits. Once you finally nail that piece, the excitement and satisfaction are powerful tools to boost your confidence.
Practicing piano also requires a lot of discipline. If you can follow your own plan and keep practicing, that along will give you a health dose of self-esteem because you know that’s how people succeed.
Understanding Music Theory
Most music composers working on different genres of music use the piano as their foundation. It has all a composer needs. From a massive range, nuanced dynamic tones, to a gorgeous tone, pianos offer the best foundation for music composition. Regardless of how large or complicated any music arrangement is, the piece can always fit on a piano.
Players of every skill level, background, and playing style can also comfortably use this instrument. The more they use the piano the more skillful they turn out.
Taking piano classes helps a student to grasp the basic elements of the music. Complex musical theories are best interpreted by practical piano. You will easily grasp the technique of building chords, scales, and intervals on a keyboard that any other instrument available.
It is only by familiarizing with the keyboard that a player can quickly learn other instruments. For example, to learn guitar, clarinet, or saxophone, a player needs to apply the practical concepts of piano playing. Without prior knowledge on piano, these players take more time to learn their instruments. Even the most skilled and celebrated musicians may lack basic understanding and interpretation of music without knowledge in piano.
Conclusion
Whether you have some doubts about start learning piano or you just need some motivation to keep practicing, there are many proven benefits of learning piano. It will make you smarter, stronger, more peaceful, more social and more confident. I guess in a nutshell, you can say that learning piano makes you a better person. I certainly believe I have improved myself since I started learning piano. And don’t you worry, you are never too old to learn the piano!
You are a very intelligent person!
I love how you said that learning to play the piano is a great way to relieve stress because accomplishing new things can bring peace. My younger brother has been itching to find a new hobby that will help him relax. I will suggest that he look into taking piano lessons to benefit from the stress relief they will provide.
Thanks for pointing out some benefits of learning how to play the piano. It’s interesting to learn that it can help relieve stress. That sounds like something I could use, so maybe I’ll have to look into taking lessons soon.
I like that you said learning to play the piano will boost a person’s confidence because it requires a lot of practicing to succeed. That’s why when they finally learn the piece, it would increase their self-esteem. With that in mind, perhaps it would be a nice idea to enroll my child in private piano lessons. Thanks!
Hi Levi,
Thanks for the comment. The benefit of learning piano doesn’t end there. With all the digital courses and tools nowadays, the cost of learning has decreased significantly. I would say everyone should at least give it a try.
It’s interesting to learn that piano can diminish stress levels since a person can integrate rhythms. We want our son to learn piano so he can appreciate the arts and play at church. We’ll be sure to find a good piano teacher that he can start learning from.
Through this post, you have to give me a great idea to start learning the piano. I should try this at home. I am so glad I help a little on this topic.
Thanks for helping me learn more about the benefits of playing the piano. I find it amazing to learn that this helps relieve stress by giving them distraction towards everyday life. My friend is looking for a new hobby he could start because this pandemic is giving him unhealthy bouts of anxiety. I’ll share this with him and suggest that he consider looking for online piano lessons so he could start.
It’s a great idea to start learning piano during this difficult time. I hope your friend give it a try.
It’s great to hear that playing the piano can relieve stress since it redirects your focus to integrating rhythms. With everything going on in the world right now, I have been feeling very tense and stressed for the past four months. Learning to play piano seems like a good way to keep me occupied and help to reduce my stress levels.
Hi Lyla,
I’d encourage you to give it a try. With so many budget digital pianos on the market, it has never been easier to give piano a go.
I’m really motivated after reading your blog. Thanks for this gem. You made my day 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment Zoro. Always a pleasure to know my articles are making a difference.
Wow, thank you for informing me that learning to play the piano can help improve your self-esteem because it takes skill and discipline and trains you for delay gratification. About a week ago, I was talking to my brother, and he mentioned that he needs something to fill up his spare time. I wonder if piano lessons could be perfect for him! I will have to talk to him about it and help him find the perfect teachers.
Hey Wei,
Done my digging and preparing to pull the trigger & feeling conflicted.
Casio Privia PX-870 v Yamaha YDP144.
Talked with a local dealer that cut out Casio and is going exclusive Yamaha. Top reasons sighted were support/warranty work (going digital so unsure), resale value & straight up quality of product. Yamaha is listed at $100 more (@ $1099).
Thoughts? No piano background, music when I was younger and definitely looking towards a quality investment that won’t break the bank.
Another opinion would be appreciated!
Hi Sean,
While Yamaha does have better support/warranty and probably better built quality, you are paying a premium for the brand. The YDP-144 is a solid piano if not for the key action. The GHS on it is Yamaha’s bottom tier key action. It is not very realistic nor expressive.
The Casio PX-870 on the other hand has a much better key action in my opinion.
Another option that you can not overlook is the Kawai KDP 110. It probably has the most realistic key action in this price range. I also think it has the best sound thanks to the individually sampled notes.
Scroll down in my Yamaha YDP-144 review and you will find a more detailed comparison between these three models.
Hope this helps. Do come back and share with us which model you choose and your thoughts on it.
It’s good that you point out that learning piano can improve one’s social skills. I want my young son to have good social skills, so I am considering buying a piano and signing him up for lessons. I’m going to look for a good place to buy a piano in my area.
If you can spare the time, you should probably try to learn piano together with your son. Not only is it an extra motivation for him, you will benefit from the journey as well.
If you need help choosing the right piano, just drop me a question here. I’m always happy to help.
Thank you for the information. Piano learning has lot many advantages. This helps to improve the hand gesture movements, brain development and many other benefits.Piano lessons in Sherman helps to learn piano irrespective of age.
It’s amazing that playing the piano can strengthen your reaction time and productivity. I’ve been thinking about taking lessons, but I wasn’t sure if I am too old to start. It sounds like piano playing can be beneficial to people of any age.
You really can’t to be too old to start. I self learnt to play the piano when I was 30.
It’s great to know that learning the piano improves social skills. My son struggles with making friends at school and I want to know how I can help him improve his social skills. I’ll be sure to ask him if he wants to try learning the piano.
The information you provide is really useful, thank you
I liked how you said that the brain improves reaction time and productivity when learning how to play the piano. Who wouldn’t want their brain to have better reaction time and productivity? I should look into learning how to play the piano.
Hey… Usefull information. Thanks.
Can you please guide me about Korg B1. Which is the better one in korg B1 or Casio privia px 160.
Welcome and thank you for your comment.
Both the Korg B1 and the Casio PX160 are good choices.
But right now, I would take a look at the 2019 model the Casio PX S1000. It’s better than both the Korg and the PX160.
Can you please guide me about Korg B1. Which is the better one in korg B1 or Casio privia px 160.
Here’s my review on the Korg B1.
But at this moment, there’s a new model from Casio that’s superior than both. It’s the Casio PX S1000. Here’s my review on this new model.
Hi
Tnx for the info and encouragement. I’m 54 and started learning piano a year ago. My motivation was fear of alzheimer, so I decided to keep my brain running; although its very hard at my age but its NOT impossible.
Hi Nahid,
Welcome and thanks for your kind comment. You are NEVER too old to learn the piano.
I wish you a wonderful journey ahead and may your brain remains as sharp as it is now!
As a piano player myself I know that memory can be a challenge. My memory is not that good either way… But if you are afraid of Alzheimers deceise, please read Neal Barnards “Power Foods for the Brain” …it will help a lot, even more than playing piano. But doing both is even better of course 🙂 Please let me know what you think. Kind regards, Maurice
Hi Maurice,
Thanks for the suggestion. That’s very kind of you and I will definitely check that book out.
I’m no expert about brain. But I do believe that it works more or less like the rest of our bodies. We need good food but at the same time also exercise. Playing piano is my way of exercising my brain.
You got me when you said that music can actually boost your mood and make you feel happy since listening to music is therapeutic. With that in mind, I’ll find a piano class where I can enroll myself. Since my husband left me for someone else, I can’t help but be consumed by loneliness. What I want is to find a way to release my emotions and feel a lot better. Since I love to look at pianos, I’ll consider learning to play one.
Hi Ellen,
I’m glad I got you and at the same time, I’m sorry to hear about your husband. Music definitely helps and you don’t even need to pay for a piano lesson. There are tons of resources on the internet that you can learn to play the piano yourself.
I find it cool when you said that enrolling children in piano classes can help give their brains a good workout while improving their hand coordination and nerve sensitivity. Learning about this convinced me to buy a piano for our home this weekend. That way, I can hire a private tutor for my children while letting them have an outlet to get rid of their stress as well.
Hi Yoshiko,
Welcome and thank you for your comment. First of all, you won’t regret it. It’s not just that I said it, it’s proven by science that playing piano can help develop kids in many different ways.
Secondly, your children will be grateful to your decision. Maybe not initially, but they will eventually. Many people who play piano as a child get back to it in their late 20s or early 30s. And they appreciate the experience they have playing piano in their childhood.
Do come back and let us know how it goes with your children.
I find them very true, Wei. : )
Hi Fei, I’m glad that you agree. I guess you do play the piano and are benefiting from all the fruits of it. Do come back and tell us your story!
I love your well-written, encouraging article, Wei. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.
I own an old, upright piano. You’ve almost convinced my to take up lessons again! But, can I find the time…
YES! I need my neural pathways widened giving me more access to my brain! I didn’t realize learning to play piano could do this.
Am I right in assuming this can also keep me from developing Alzheimer’s disease?
Wondering,
Laura
Hi Laura, So glad to see you excited again about piano. If you are busy, my advice would be to practice on your own without a teacher. This way it’s easier to manage time and you actually don’t need to spend much time on practice everyday.
As for Alzheimer, I couldn’t find any evidence of that. I would hope so because that’s my worst nightmare.
Thanks for dropping by Laura and you are welcomed here anytime.
Cheers,
Wei
Hi Wei, this is really interesting information! I have read before that music is a very important tool for brain development, but did not realize just how much! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mariette,
Thank you for the comment! I guess everyone kind of know that there are benefits of learning a music instrument. But few know exactly how much benefits are there. I’m glad I help a little on this topic.
Seems like plenty of amazing facts and even health benefits that can help with learning a piano! Amazing!
Hi Jamaar,
Thanks for dropping by and leave a comment. I choose five major benefits of learning to play the piano in this post. There are however a lot more benefits. If you ask me, it definitely worth the journey.
I would have never guessed that learning the piano was a good stress reliever! This is amazing and I think a great idea for me who’s always stressed from work and would like to come home and wind down. This is a no brainer for me and I’ll be getting a piano asap. What brand do you recommend for a newbie? Cheers.
Hi Brandon, thanks for dropping by! I’m glad I have given you some ideas. A word of caution though, don’t be hard on yourself if you decide to start learning piano. As you can imagine, the journey can be long and hard. If you beat yourself up, it would just create more stress. Focus on the process not the result. As for keyboard, you can check my review on the Kawai ES110. I highly recommend that one. If you are tight on budget, then the Yamaha P45 is great for you. Check my review of that one here!
Just the post I was looking for. I was just thinking I would love to start playing the piano and even considered looking at one. Then I told myself I was too old to learn. I read your article and it has given me a new desire to learn to play the piano. Thanks for the encouragement
Hi Stephen, you make me a happy man knowing what I wrote inspires someone. If you need any help along the journey of learning the piano, come back here and drop me a line. I would be more than happy to help you anyway I can!
We “inherited” a piano from my wife’s grandmother. My daughter wasn’t interested, but my son took to it right away as he watched YouTube videos on how to play some of the top-40 songs and such. When he sent me a video of him playing the piano (and it was amazing – I thought someone else was playing it until he turned the phone to him), we decided it was time for lessons. He excelled and now that he’s older, he still plays, but the knowledge he learned from lessons on the piano has leveraged over into Band at school and he’s picked up the Clarinet and already knows how to read music, chords, etc. He’s excelling at it…
Hi Dave, thanks for sharing the story of your son. You must be very proud! It’s true once you learn piano, you can learn other instruments fast and easy. My best wishes to you and your family Dave!
I believe learning piano will be benefit for anyone. Therefore, I ask my son to learn that too. Nowadays, many different kind of stress come from school, such as homework, test, exam, even after school activities is stressful too. I think I need to learn also. What my job need much brain power. I want to boost my brain performance as high as possible in order to make the job easy and less stress. Your post tells me more details about the benefit of learning piano. It really inspire me a lot.
I hope I am too old to learn the piano:)
Thanks for sharing,
CT
Hi CT, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. It means a lot to me that my post inspires you. I do want to point out two things to you: first, you are never too old to learn piano! Second, even though there are tons of benefits from it, you probably should start learning the piano with passion and fun in mind. If all you think is stress release, boosting brain performance, you probably won’t practice much in the beginning. Just my 2 cents, I could be wrong though. Thanks again and come back for more!
Hi, WWei You a good looking website here it’s full of useful info and it’s very well laid out and also it’s easy to navigate.
Dave @ WA.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for dropping by. Come back for more tutorials and product reviews.