05/30/2023
Why does piano matter?
That's probably something you've heard people say- kids, adults, maybe even yourself. I don't know how many adults I've met who have told me,
"Yeah, I started taking lessons when I was younger. I wish I hadn't quit".
It's very rare to find someone who is glad they quit piano, but it's normally not because they hate the instrument per say- it was probably a bad experience with a teacher, or maybe during a difficult season in their life.
So- you don't play the piano, and you've still survived all these years.
So, why would my child need to learn?
Most people have heard piano is good for the brain, etc. But the facts run just a little deeper...
1. Studies from Gaser and Schlaug showed a striking increase in gray and white matter in the brains of musicians (the tissues that makes up your brain and helps it function).
This increase was even greater in musicians who had begun learning at a younger age. The brain is far more "elastic",if you will, in childhood- the sooner you start, the more life long benefits you get!
2. It improves coordination. Ever wonder how children can learn things so quickly and we can't even find our glasses in the morning? (I feel ya!) Again, it's that young nueroplasticity that, if trained when young, will last long into your life.
In fact, not all instrument are equal in increasing brain-to-hand coordination in children, leading to better coordination between the hemispheres of the brain. Piano tops them all! (Except for maybe organ- so many pedals!)
From National Library of Medicine:
“Bangert and Schlaug [6] reported that pianists atypically showed the ‘omega sign’ (indicative of a larger hand motor area) on both hemispheres, whereas violinists showed the omega sign on only the right hemisphere controlling the left hand. This specific anatomical feature is possibly related to the fact that pianists practice a lot with both hands, whereas violinists practice a lot with their left hand (manipulating the strings) and their right arm (manipulating the bow). Thus, violinists might drive only the right-sided hand motor area, whereas pianists drive the hand motor areas on both hemispheres.”
I cannot begin to express the difference teaching hand cordination to younger kids vs adult beginners and even teens. That is not meant to discourage adult beginners (you have just as much chance at success!) but to encourage parents to really nurture this special, short-term ability for rapid brain growth that children have.
3. It increases your IQ- literally. No, piano does not increase your IQ the way carrots increase your eyesight (I’ve tried, believe me).
Quote from classicfm.com
“Before they took up an instrument, the new musicians’ average IQ score was 103. When they were tested again, six months later, it had increased to 113.”
Learning to play the piano has been shown to improve IQ up to 10%- in adults!! Imagine how impactful learning an instrument for six months could be to a child’s mind.
4. It’s just plain FUN.
No fancy scientific studies here. Just observe any pianist who recognized the gift of music as a child, starting in their lessons at the bench. Playing the piano is an opportunity to entertain- parties, guests, your friends in the lunchroom. An opportunity to serve- charities, churches, choirs, movie soundtracks. An opportunity to express in a language that is universally understood, no matter what your native tongue is.
Oh and it doesn’t stop here, I just got warmed up! But this post is getting long and time is precious, and there is music to be made.
Happy playing!
~Abigail
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