Why do people play the piano? For many reasons.
Maybe to enjoy making music. Maybe because it’s fun. Maybe it’s to play like your favorite musician.
Or maybe it’s to activate your brain and help keep it strong.
Yes, unlike other hobbies, playing the piano can provide memory boosters. If you’re looking for ways to stay young, playing the piano is a good place to start. Here’s why.
Play the piano to increase coordination
Playing the piano involves hand-eye coordination. Your left hand plays independently of your right hand. Your eyes take in the musical notes from the sheet music. Together, each part does what is necessary to make beautiful music. This stimulates many different areas of the brain at the same time.
Play the piano to become a better listener
When you play music, you start to listen better. You hear different parts of the song, evaluate things like pitch and voice. You pay attention to tonal quality. That translates over to everyday situations as well. It allows you to block out ambient noise, and recognize nuances of language better. You’ll have an easier time in a noisy cafe the next time you meet with friends.
Play the piano to become a better reader
Music is a language all of its own. As you learn to read music, you’ll take in symbols and how they work together. Studies have shown that when children complement their education with music training, they display superior cognitive performance in reading skills. It’s also been shown they remember as much as 20 percent more of their vocabulary words. That continues as we age.
Play the piano to improve memory
Piano instruction helps you improve your memory, in particular verbal memory. This is your working memory. It can also improve your mental health. Pianists experience less anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression because playing is a great stress reliever.
Whether you’re considering piano instruction for your child, or yourself, remember playing the piano is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It can help you live a long, happy, healthy life.
Are you ready to learn to play the piano this year?
