Music is Awesome!
Lifelong Benefits of Music Lessons
By Susan Stringer
Professional Piano Instructor
Music is awesome! It has been said that music is the universal language. It is hard to imagine how different (and more difficult) our world would be without it. We would miss the timeless love songs, the great classical works that move our souls and infinitely more.
An integral part of music has been and is the piano. Interestingly, this year is the 300th anniversary of the piano.
Presently in many places there are too few pianists to meet the demand for services such as weddings, receptions, parties, accompanying a choir, soloist, church service or playing in a band just to name a few. Consequently, piano lessons are central to achieving the goal of more musicians.
Lessons fun, positive experience
Although there is no substitute for practicing and hard work, it need not be an arduous process. The experience should be captivating, motivating, challenging and innately rewarding. As Debra Hadfield stated in a recent issue of “Music Teacher” (the Journal of the National Music Teachers Association), “The piano was created for pleasure, not torture!”Besides the obvious pleasurable benefits of playing the piano, there are other advantages many people may be unaware of. There is evidence that childhood music education can enhance abstract reasoning skills, which in turn help in learning math, science, language arts, playing mentally challenging games, using a computer and spatial recognition. Poise, self-expression, confidence, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are also strengthened.
According to an article by the Steinway Piano Company, “…early piano training has a direct effect on the development of the brain’s neural circuitry, actually improving intellectual development.” In fact, students with coursework and experience in musical performance scored 51 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 39 points higher on the SAT math portion than students without this musical background (data compiled by the Music Educators National Conference College Boards).
Music therapy
Music’s therapeutic value cannot be underestimated. Music therapy already is used often by professional therapists providing (among other things) a creative outlet and way to put aside day-to-day worries. Reducing anxiety and providing relaxation are two other byproducts resulting from this type of therapy. Most people’s blood pressure is reduced and their overall health and coping skills become enhanced. This may be one reason the fastest growing group of new piano students are between the ages of 25 to 55 (statistics from the National Music Teachers Association). A professional businessman I teach told me he could not express his creativity at work and piano lessons filled that void.In today’s world, most of us could use a little more relaxation available at our fingertips.
Cutting-edge phenomena
For those of you wanting cutting-edge reasons for some of these phenomena, here is some fascinating information. According to research from a New York University study, (compiled by Michael Mattison, a prominent piano tuner in Baton Rouge that I highly recommend), “…the brain apparently releases some neurochemical material that puts us in a calm state of relaxed mental and physical health. This is due to the revelation that the human brain is ‘tuned’ much like a piano keyboard and will evoke certain responses when the right ‘note’ is struck. What’s next…a Mozart pill?!!!”Nurturing ourselves and others is vital. The ability to play the piano can fill our lives with pleasure and creativity provided by no other means. A lifetime of advantages and therapy for our otherwise business- filled, demanding lives may be acquired also. Why not explore the possibility of another form of self expression and joy? Personally, I cannot measure the impact music has made in my life, whether providing solace, innate satisfaction, bringing happiness to others or affording me the opportunity to meet such wonderful friends through this medium. Make your life or your child’s a more beautiful melody!