Why Take Piano Lessons?
1. BRAIN BOOSTING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS-
Study after study has shown that studying music helps children develop many important skills. Music education opens the pathway to being a life-long learner and helps students develop self-expression and creativity.
Music has been shown to improve recall and retention of verbal information and it helps improve math skills. This has been proven true to a degree that many secondary schools and universities will offer music theory as an option for a language requirement or math requirement. In fact, I took AP music theory to meet a Minnesota math standard while I was in high school and as a math pre-requisite in college!
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2. ENJOYMENT AND STRESS RELIEF-
Working hard and achieving a goal can provide a great sense of accomplishment. Making music is also a great source of stress relief. Personally, I have come back to music over and over in times where I've needed comfort and stress relief. I went through a health crisis which landed me in a wheelchair for more than a year. When there were so many things I couldn't do, I could still make music and that meant everything to me! When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and many activities were cancelled, playing piano at home became an enormous part of my daily coping strategy. An instrument can be there to see us through difficult times much the same way as a good friend.
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3. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING-
Many of my most valued relationships have come from band and choir groups and ensemble experiences. It's nearly impossible to make music with another human and not form a connection! Music is collaborative-Yes, even piano! While playing piano is often thought of as a solo activity, there are many instances where music is collaborative. Playing piano duets and trios is an important part of music study at my studio. Pianists often go on to become percussionists and play in an ensemble setting. In fact, piano study is often a pre-requisite for being a percussionist in middle school band ensembles. Many pianists will eventually become skilled enough to accompany solo instrumentalists and vocalists or even accompany choirs or play for church services.
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