Piano lessons are a fundamental way to gain a broad appreciation of music. However, the real benefits that arise from playing the piano are primarily non-musical.

A piano student learns to read two lines of music, use both ears, arms, legs, feet and all ten fingers, with the brain giving each body part a different assignment to perform simultaneously. No other activity allows a child to exercise all of these skills in such a constructive manner.  Piano lessons, therefore, develop coordination in both mind and muscles, which transfers to many daily activities. This includes improved hand-eye coordination, greater enjoyment and ability in sports, and the full use of both left and right sides of the brain.

As a student begins to experience the benefits of concentration and coordination, he or she begins to experience a sense of confidence. Completing a difficult task is very rewarding and allows the student to feel good about what she has accomplished. As a matter of fact, learning to play the piano is one of the best methods of instilling confidence in children and adults alike. Concentration, coordination, and confidence form a foundation unsurpassed for helping students grow.

One recent MIT study determined that the cerebral cortex of a concert pianist is enlarged by 30% on average compared to people that are considered intellectuals, but who did not have instrumental music education. Another CA study found that 75% of Silicon Valley CEO’s had instrumental music education as a child.

This article talks about how music training is linked to enhanced verbal skills.

It is not as important for a student to play a piece of music with perfection as it is for him or her to develop to the best of his or her abilities. The piano is an educational tool that can help accelerate a child’s development and help adults maintain and gain benefits in brain age.

Follow the link to this article to find out how musical training affects brain development in young children.

Discipline, patience, determination and perseverance are some of the many other skills learned through piano training. Successful piano students have to work daily over extended periods of time in order to learn complex music. Piano helps students understand the concept of sustained effort, accomplish excellence and learn and to put to practice the meaning of hard work.