Reading About These 7 Benefits of Learning Piano Will Be Like Music to Your Ears

By Mike | November 20, 2020

From Chopin to Ray Charles, Bach to Little Richard it’s hard to think of a more wonderful sound than when someone who has mastery over the piano sits down and is able to produce sweet music. 

Although many desire to learn any instrument, the piano holds a deserved place for many as the pinnacle of musical excellence. But other than the prestige that it holds there are many other reasons why those that learn to play the piano are benefiting greatly from this pastime. 

Let us cover 7 benefits of learning piano that will either leave you feeling proud of yourself if you already play or wanting to search through the phone directory to find a teacher and get started. 

1. Learning the Piano Can Help You Learn a Language

One benefit of learning the piano is the ability over time to pick up the small different nuances in sound. This is called aural awareness and while developing this is vital for improvement in your playing, it also has an effect outside of music.

An area that we all take for granted that is extremely sonically complex is speaking another language. Therefore having good aural awareness is a great skill to have in language learning as it makes you able to pick up on details in pronunciation and connect sounds much faster.  

2. Play Your Way to a Healthier Body

Tinkling on the ivories has been proven to help in promoting muscle growth, enhance your metabolism and tissue repair. How could this all be possible?

This is because it naturally stimulates human growth hormone (Hgh) in your body which also offsets the effects of aging among other things. 

So by getting started with piano lessons you’d also be investing in your future health.    

3. Brain Fuel

There are very few instruments on the list of those that can claim to get your whole brain involved but the piano is most certainly one of them.

It is understandable then that this leads to more grey and white matter in the brains of piano players. In fact, the list is almost endless of the many great benefits to the brain. 

Brain speed is increased as playing the piano produces more myelin in the brain. This fatty substance insulates the connections between the signals paths in the brain helping them get there quicker.     

On top of this, the whole brain is being stimulated when playing the piano as it engages both the creative and emotional right side as well as the more logical, analytical left side. 

By being conscious of what both your hands are doing, using the pedals, and thinking ahead about what your next notes will be, you are also developing a skill known as split concentration, improving your focus. 

This means that you will be able to become a multitasking master just by sitting down and learning your favorite songs!

4. Improvements in Hand-Eye Coordination 

The overall improvement in one’s motor skills when learning the piano cannot be overlooked.

It is a tremendous workout for your hands which over time gets much stronger. however unlike other instruments, it doesn’t come with the unwelcome callouses that are associated with other instruments (we’re looking at you, guitar!).

There is also improvement in hand speed as one builds up muscle memory over time. 

This increase in the dexterity of your hands may seem cool all by itself, but amazingly it can be transferred to other skills, whether it be touch typing in the office or chopping up veggies in the kitchen.

5. Piano Playing Can Aid Improve Your Mental Health

In a time when people are more conscious than ever of looking after their mental health, it can be of some comfort to know that playing the piano can be of great benefit.

When under stress or dealing with anxiety our body produces cortisol, our natural alarm signal. When too high it can lead to a wide range of health problems including heart disease and depression. 

Interestingly though playing an instrument slows down your heart rate, blood pressure, and importantly reduces your cortisol levels.

Additionally, playing the piano has been proven to be an effective aid in combatting depression. There are many reasons for this but it is certainly understandable as it provides a welcome sanctuary for any who enjoy escaping into the world of their favorite songs. 

6. An Offline Escape

We are more connected to our devices than ever and it is well documented too much time in front of a screen can cause long-term damaging effects to each and every one of us. 

What if we were to tell you that by spending short but regular amounts of time in front of a piano could counter this.

Whether it be improving your posture into having a straight back, countering the standard cell phone arch that most have developed today, or improving our concentration, playing the piano is a wonderful way to stay unplugged but still fully engaged and entertained.       

7. Playing Piano = Personal Growth 

While it is easy to look at playing an instrument as simply a way of us enjoying a new hobby or for children to attain a new skill, taking the time to do so makes us confront various aspects of our personality that are pushed more than they would be normally. 

The confidence gained by finally mastering a song or technique that you found difficult in the past can give you a sense of uncomparable pride. The patience and dedication needed to get there are skills that are transferrable to various aspects of life. 

By being confronted by different types and styles of music we are transported into different cultures and mindsets and by trying to understand them we are lead to becoming more open-minded as a result. 

Reap the Benefits of Learning Piano 

It really is amazing how many aspects of life can be affected, just by learning this exceptional instrument. 

If we reap the benefits of learning piano we will have a continual source of entertainment, develop a deep sense of self-confidence, and on top of that no doubt bring joy to many around us.  

Be sure to check out the other interesting music-related content on our site.