20 Reasons to Learn Piano: A fun (and true!) list
Ma' very first video is up - 20 reasons to learn piano. Feel free to heighten your enthusiasm even further by reading the sources below, talking all science-like on why playing piano is so awesome for you.
Stay tuned for next time, where you'll learn some (VERY IMPORTANT) posture basics before you even get started with the playing. If you sit at the piano like a n00b, you'll play like a n00b. There are only a few select superstars in this world who can sit at the piano all weird (Glenn Gould, I'm looking at you), but until you're a superstar, please play by the rules.
But I digress.
20 reasons to learn piano
1. Grey Matter
Adult musicians have more of this than non-musicians. Woo hoo!
2. White Matter
Again, musicians have more of this than non-musicians. Our music brains are more flexible and adaptable, and we can form connections easier.
3. Musicians learn better and quicker
And not just in music! It's easier for musicians to assimilate information in any field of interest. See video: avoid becoming that cranky old lady down the street.
4. Better Memory
Musicians have better memories, and not just from specifically memorizing music (though that helps). The act of playing itself requires a huge amount of memory resources - remembering the notes, keys, patterns, etc.
5. Stronger Emotional Perception
Now I'm not saying that musicians are more sensitive...or maybe I am. At the very least, being trained in music allows you to become more versed in all kinds of nuance, including emotional nuance. Handy life skill right there.
6. Keeps them ears young
The audio cortex doesn't deteriorate as rapidly in older musicians, so rejoice! Unless you're blasting loud rock music all day and night.
7. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Playing an instrument reduces your blood pressure, your heart rate, and the stress hormone cortisol.
8. Nail biters rejoice!
Having short fingernails is a massive benefit when you're playing piano. In fact, long fingernails tend to make this super-annoying clicking sound on the keys, and your technique won't be as good because you'll have to hold your fingers at weird angles while you play.
9. Piano is a nice-sounding instrument
Would your Granny rather listen to you play the piano, or play the drums? Enough said.
10. Piano stands alone
Some instruments require a full band to sound good (ie, the tuba), but not piano. It sounds great as a solo instrument - and it sounds great as a band instrument, so you get the best of both worlds.
11. Pianos are classy furniture
Playing the piano aside, we can probably all agree that they make for beautiful furniture, and having a piano in your house jazzes it up quite a bit.
12. Piano is easy on the fingers
For anyone who has played guitar, you can understand that it hurts. At least at first, until your finger pads develop a thick layer of calluses to make playing possible. Piano doesn't do that to your fingers. It is gentle and loving.
13. Brain Broccoli
Playing piano is great for your brain, like sudoku. Just way more fun and rewarding.
14. Develop patience and discipline
Okay I get it, playing piano is hard, playing piano takes work. You won't become an overnight success. But the life skills of patience and discipline are some of the best ones out there, and learning piano is one way to unlock those skills, and level up in life.
15. Learn a language easier
Learning an instrument boosts your ability to not only learn a new language, but also to develop your vocabulary.
16. Learning an instrument = Confidence
Being awesome at something is a confidence boost. Developing the self-discipline to learn Mary Had a Little Lamb is a confidence boost. Showing your Granny all your newfound skills is a confidence boost.
17. It's a creative activity
Learning music requires creativity, even if you're not composing your own music. You still have to interpret someone else's music, and you're not going to play a piece exactly the same way as someone else. Music you play is always gonna contain a bit of your character - your creative signature, if you will.
18. Playing an instrument increases Human Growth Hormone
What this means for us is aging more gracefully with fewer aches and pains, less wrinkles and all that other good stuff.
19. Gain EXP in other areas of life
Learning a musical instrument helps you develop the ability to stay alert and focused, it boosts your planning skills, among others.
20. It's fun!
This is the simplest and most important of the reasons to learn piano. Why do something unless it's fun? And learning piano is a ton of fun, trust me (I'm biased).
I hope you enjoyed this video on the reasons to learn piano. Stay tuned for many more videos in the future.
Ciao for now!
xo,
Allysia
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Sources:
Playing a musical instrument makes you brainier
National Geographic: Your aging brain will be in better shape if you've taken music lessons
The relation between instrumental musical activity and cognitive aging