Benefits of Playing

There is something instantly appealing about playing the piano. We are immediately drawn to its familiar sounds, and people are quick to gather round the piano at parties and sing-alongs. In schools, churches and millions of homes across our country, the piano is part of the story of our lives.

In addition to the emotional and social income gained by making music, playing the piano offers educational and wellness benefits. Recent research supports findings that music study may be linked to higher brain function in learning. Learning to play the piano can help your child be more successful in school and develop skills that they can use their entire life:

In a study at McGill University in Montreal, children who took piano lessons for three years scored higher than their peers on tests of general and spatial cognitive development – the very faculties needed for performance in math and engineering and other pursuits.

• A University of California at Irvine study showed that students who took piano lessons along with computer puzzle-solving did better in math.
• Among older Americans, research at Michigan State University showed that keyboard lessons significantly reduced anxiety, depression and loneliness.
• Playing the piano strengthens eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.
• Kids who take piano lessons learn a lot about discipline and the rewards of hard work.

Please click on the following links for additional information on the benefits of making music:

• Your Child’s Lifetime of Music
• Research Briefs – Did You Know?
• Musicality from Birth to Five Donald A. Hodge

Reprinted by permission by the American Music Conference.