Learning piano can seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Not only is piano a beautiful and versatile instrument, but learning to play piano also comes with a host of benefits, both for children and adults.
Whether you’re thinking about getting piano lessons in London or you’re trying to learn on your own, there’s no question that taking the time to learn this skill can be incredibly rewarding.
In this article we’ll explore just a few of the benefits that you can enjoy by learning to play piano. Let’s get started!
Some of the best benefits of learning piano
1- Improved cognitive skills
Numerous studies have shown that learning to play piano can help improve your cognitive skills, including your memory, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities.
A study conducted by neurologist Frances Rauscher showed that after eight months of keyboard lessons, children aged 7-11 had significantly higher IQ scores than those who didn’t take lessons. Furthermore, another study found that middle-aged adults who took piano lessons showed increased memory capacity and improved verbal skills.
2- Improved mental health
Playing piano has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and can even help fight depression. If you’re looking for a way to relax and destress, learning piano could be a great option for you.
What’s the reason behind this benefit? Well, when you play piano, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that has been linked to improved mood and reduced stress levels. This means that when you’re learning how to get music out of this wonderful instrument, you’re quite literally changing your brain!
So if you’re feeling stressed out, try sitting down at the keyboard and letting your fingers do the talking.
3- Enhanced creativity
As well as providing a fun outlet for creativity, playing piano can also help improve your ability to think creatively and come up with new ideas.
This benefit is thought to be linked to the improved cognitive skills that we mentioned earlier. When you learn to play piano, you’re training your brain to think in new and innovative ways, which can have a knock-on effect on your creativity in other areas of your life.
4- Boosted self-confidence
Once you start becoming good at playing piano, you’ll naturally feel more confident in your abilities. This newfound confidence can spill over into other areas of your life, making you more likely to take risks and try new things.
For example, if you’ve always been too shy to sing in public, learning piano could give you the boost you need to finally take the plunge. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent for singing!
5- Improved social skills
Playing piano is a great way to meet new people and make friends. If you take lessons, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other students and form bonds with them over your shared love of music.
You might even find yourself joining an orchestra or a band, or even playing in public, which can be a great way to socialize and get out of your comfort zone.
6- A deeper appreciation for music
When you take the time to learn about music theory and how to play different chords and progressions on the piano, you’ll start to appreciate music in a whole new way. You’ll be able to identify different instruments in songs and better understand why certain songs make you feel a certain way.
This benefit is especially pronounced in children, who often develop a lifelong love of music after taking piano lessons. However, there’s no question that adults can enjoy it, too!
7- A satisfying sense of achievement
Learning to play piano can be incredibly satisfying. When you finally nail that tricky piece you’ve been working on for weeks, or impress your friends and family with a impromptu rendition of their favorite song, you’ll feel a sense of achievement like no other.
This sense of accomplishment is one of the main reasons why people continue practising with this instrument even after years of study. It’s also why many people who have never played an instrument before decide to start learning piano later in life.
8- A fun and rewarding hobby
If you’re looking for something new to do during your free time, learning to play piano is simply a fun and rewarding hobby. It’s a great way to spend your time away from work, and you’ll never get bored of it because there’s always something new to learn.
Whether you want to play for your own enjoyment or perform in front of an audience, piano is the perfect hobby for people of all ages and abilities.
9- Improved concentration and focus
Playing piano requires a lot of concentration and the ability to pay attention to just one thing. This is because you need to use both your hands and your feet to play, while also reading sheet music and keeping track of the timing.
This can be a challenge at first, but if you stick with it, you’ll find that your concentration and focus will improve significantly. This benefit will also spill over other areas of your life, which is definitely a bonus!
Final thoughts
Whether you’re a child or an adult, there are countless benefits to learning how to play piano. And while it may seem daunting at first, once you get started, you’ll quickly realize that it’s one of the most rewarding experiences out there.
If you’re interested in taking piano lessons, we urge you to try private lessons instead of group classes. Private lessons allow you to go at your own pace and focus on the pieces that interest you the most.
However, whether you’re trying to learn on your own or you’ve decided to take the leap and hire a piano teacher, there’s no question that you’ll be reaping the benefits of this lifelong skill in no time!
