What Are the Benefits of Playing the Piano

Parents are always trying to get children involved in activities such as sports, but piano playing can be beneficial as well. A child who learns to play the piano will develop concentration and coordination, just as a young athlete would, as well as pride of accomplishment. Check out these other benefits of playing the piano:

There are many benefits derived from playing the piano, including stress relief, mental health, hand-eye coordination and helping children in school.

Brain health

1. Playing the piano stimulates many areas of the brain. Coordination is learned by reading notes from a page while simultaneously moving your fingers along the keyboard. Each hand can also independently play different pieces of music and your brain is telling them what to do.

Mental health

2. Classical music is soothing. Being able to play that music on piano enables you to pour your emotions into playing, giving stress an outlet and relaxing the mind and body. There are few things as rewarding as playing the piano and knowing you have accomplished it. It is a big confidence boost.

How you look

3. Aside from developing strong and nimble hands from playing piano, it can do wonders for your image. People often associate playing the piano with sophistication and genius. People may regard you as highly intelligent because you know how to play the piano, and you look good playing it.

Getting children involved

4. Parents are always trying to get children involved in activities such as sports, but piano playing can be beneficial as well. A child who learns to play the piano will develop concentration and coordination, just as a young athlete would, as well as pride of accomplishment.

Research

5. According to Neurological Research (Feb. 28, 1997), piano students are better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts. A group of preschoolers received private piano keyboard lessons and singing lessons . A second group received private computer lessons. Those children who received piano/keyboard training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability.

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Author: By Shane Montgomery, eHow.com Contributing Writer