The Benefits of Learning Piano for Children
- Robert Boer | Director of MTO
- Dec 25, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Playing piano from an early age will positively affect your child's life in several areas.
For over 30 years, I have taught music to children around the world, which has been the most rewarding experience—seeing how students improve over time, their enthusiasm, and experiencing how proud and happy they are when they have given a performance or passed an exam are the most rewarding moments for me as a music teacher.
As a child, I was fortunate that my parents consistently supported my music education. We've always had a piano in our home because my father played it. I grew up listening to him practicing and was surrounded by great music. My father was an avid collector of vinyl records. He was particularly interested in the playing of Arthur Rubinstein, Géza Anda, Sviatoslav Richter, and Wilhelm Kempff. The recordings from those masters also became my favorites and, in my opinion, remain among the most outstanding examples of piano performance today. It is essential for all piano students to listen to music from an early age, as it instills an understanding of what good piano sound and performance entail. My parents always drove me to rehearsals and piano lessons tirelessly, for which I am so thankful to this day. The importance of a music teacher in a young student's life can't be overlooked. As a music teacher, I am always amazed by my young students' ability to absorb information, their speed of learning, and their enthusiasm. Learning piano appeals to young minds as it combines many skills, and when combined correctly, the results are simply amazing.
Skills involved in playing piano
What skills will we learn to master by studying piano?
Reading the notes of the musical alphabet in two different musical clefs.
Reading and counting rhythms.
Feeling and controlling the music's beat.
Mastering basic left-hand patterns.
Developing coordination between both hands.
Developing foot coordination by operating the sustaining pedal.
Playing with musicality.
Playing with a balanced and beautiful sound: left-hand - right-hand balance, chord voicing, etc.
Develop finger control: touch, speed, and independence.
Hand-eye coordination.
Of course, this list may feel overwhelming. However, don't forget that these skills are gradually introduced and developed over time, which, when approached correctly, makes it manageable for anyone to learn piano at any age.
The piano is one of the world's most versatile and beautiful instruments. Learning to play this magnificent instrument is worth all the effort. I have played piano for more than 40 years, and it has given me so much joy, inspiration, comfort, and focus, and even helped me through difficult times. I have never had a day when I felt bored playing the piano. The amount of fantastic music written for piano is endless, and there are always new things to learn.
Let's explore the benefits of learning piano for children.
Seven benefits of learning piano for children.
Benefit 1: Learning piano makes your child a better student overall.
When your child learns piano, they become better students all around. Many studies show a correlation between learning piano and academic success in children. Learning to play the piano stimulates the brain, improving functions such as memory and abstract reasoning, which are essential for maths and science.
Benefit 2: Learning piano builds confidence.
Learning to play piano helps you get comfortable with self-expression. As children begin to master some skills, they will likely play for their parents, family, friends, and piano teacher. They may pass piano exams if that is their goal. These experiences can build children's confidence as they showcase their hard work and dedication in a non-academic setting. The wonderful feeling of achievement does wonders.
Benefit 3: Learning piano improves patience.
Our lives move at a fast pace. Living in a fast-paced world can make us impatient; people tend not to like waiting, which can lead to stress. Learning to play the piano involves acquiring many new skills that take time to master. Your piano teacher may teach you to slow down to gradually build up your skills and accuracy. For example, the first few months of learning the piano are demanding. Students can look back a few months later, proud that they stuck with it and didn't give up. A good piano teacher should encourage young children and show them where their hard work and dedication will lead, keeping them motivated and eager to learn.
Benefit 4: Learning piano improves memory.
Researchers have found that learning to play piano can enhance verbal memory, spatial reasoning, and literacy skills. Did you know that playing the piano engages both sides of the brain, which can strengthen memory? Learning where notes are, what chords sound like, and how to read music yourself. Learning the skills involved in playing the piano will benefit a child's memory over time.
Benefit 5: Learning piano relieves stress.
As I mentioned in my intro, playing the piano has helped me through difficult times. Music can be a source of comfort and sheer joy. There is always something new to learn, and practice can be both stimulating and rewarding. The effect of music on our mood is significant. Classical music is said to have a significant relaxing effect on the mind and body. Certain types of classical music can slow our heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce levels of stress hormones.
Benefit 6: Learning the piano improves discipline and time management.
A good piano teacher will teach their students how to practice. How to make the best use of their time when practicing piano. Along the way, young students will also make their own discoveries, and this process of diligently working through piano pieces builds discipline in children. Improvements don't happen overnight and require students to develop a focused time-management plan to maximize their efforts. A good piano teacher will set clear weekly tasks to help students gradually build the skills needed to master a piece.
Benefit 7: Learning piano increases creativity.
Last but not least, practicing and improving a piece of music does wonders for the creative side of the brain. It is always up to the player to put his own stamp on a piece of music. We learn to follow the composer's instructions, but there will always be the element of interpretation. Injecting your own imagination and personality into the music is where creativity comes in. The sounds you create, how you balance the layers of a composition, the tempi you choose, how you shape phrases, and how you approach dynamics are all elements that enhance creativity in children. Students will learn to express their emotions through sound.
Simply practicing a song regularly can yield many benefits you may not have considered. It has undoubtedly enriched my life, and I hope my young students will experience the same. Every child has different musical tastes and learning styles. As piano teachers and parents, it is important to recognize this so we can make learning the piano a transformative experience for students of any age. If you are already a parent of a child learning piano, I want to congratulate you, as you are giving a great gift to your child.
Thank you for reading. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
About the author
Robert Boer is a music educator with over 30 years of experience. He is the owner and director of MusicTutorOnline and teaches piano and music theory at MusicTutorOnline. After studying at the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, his music education career took him around the world, where he taught students of all ages and backgrounds.Â
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