The piano is the gold standard for musical instruments, used by composers and arrangers, and regularly appears in almost all musical styles, chamber orchestras, rock ensembles, and jazz.
Playing the piano has several properties that make it an ideal tool for learning and understanding music. But there are plenty reasons why you should learn piano.
It’s also a lot of fun. Ever been to a party and someone sits down and starts playing a tune by memory. Everyone gathers in awe. They could just be playing a glorified version of “happy birthday,” but to the audience, they feel they are witnessing Mozart himself.
Now I’m not saying why you should learn piano is to impress a few friends, but hey, it’s a nice perk.
Music is not just a hobby. It’s apart of our lives. It does a lot more than get people dancing – it is an integral part of human development.
Children that play the piano for at least two years can recall 20% more vocabulary words than their peers.
In one study at the University of California at Irvine, college students listened to Mozart, a relaxation tape, or silence. They were then asked to compete in a puzzle. Those that listened to the music had greater scores.
It’s not just college students. Another study at Appalachian State University scientists completed a similar study. This time the researchers had preschool children train in the keyboard, singing, computer, and no lessons for an entire eight months.
Not surprisingly, the children who had taken the keyboard lessons showed the most improvement in spatial-temporal tests.
HERE ARE TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN PIANO
1. THE PIANO IS A UNIQUE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
The piano, as the most beautiful musical instruments, has multiple applications and can be used as an accompaniment, as part of chamber music, or as part of an ensemble.
Starting from its appearance, through history, all the way to the different tones it produces, a lot can learn about the piano.
What makes a piano so particular?
- The piano is a complete solo instrument — you can play an entire song or another piece of music without additional accompaniment or the help of a musician’s friend. That is why playing the piano makes you happy and self-sufficient.
- It is perfect as an accompanying instrument — with the piano, you can accompany the singer, choir, dance class, a silent film, as well as other musical instruments.
- Possibility of improvisation – the hands of a student learning a piano learn the language of music, which allows them to improvise.
2. THE PIANO IS SUITABLE FOR LEARNING MUSIC
The notes arrange in front of you in a clear, organized, and orderly manner. Understanding and playing different pitches is easy because the keyboard gives your brain a visual representation of the way it is the notes move up (high tones), down (low tones), or remain the same.
Each press of the button creates a unique pitch, and it couldn’t be simpler. It doesn’t take much skill to produce a pleasant musical sound.
Another advantage of the piano is that it can play chords and layered sounds. The keyboard makes it easy to play harmonies, and you can immediately hear how the combination of notes sounds.
Want to learn quickly? Use an online app like Playground Sessions.
3. PLAYING THE PIANO REQUIRES YOUR FULL PARTICIPATION
Creativity and discipline are needed, and engaging the mind and body provides satisfaction. As you learn to read scores and play notes on the piano (or keyboards), you will create informative loops from the brain to the whole body.
The initial loop runs from the eyes to the brain as you notice the notes on the paper and process the information. In the second loop, your brain sends signals to your hands and fingers, telling them how and where to move. The fingers begin to develop a sense of movement on the keyboard and for different touches that give different results on the piano. The third loop occurs when your ears hear the sound of an instrument and return information to the brain to process it:
- Did I play correct notes and rhythms?
- Did I play the note too loud or too quiet?
- Did what I played sound musical?
All this information helps you change the signals you send through your body and improve your results.
4. YOU LOVE A CHALLENGE
For reaching intermediate and higher levels, playing the piano takes time, patience, and practice. Some people enjoy that challenge. Whatever the ambitions, learning to play the piano is an endless challenge when you consider the wealth of materials for all levels.
The rewards you receive along the way are numerous, and your perseverance is it pays off when you start playing your favorite songs, or when you win an opportunity to play the piano for friends, or in front of an unfamiliar audience.
5. YOU WANT TO PLAY MUSIC OF ALMOST ALL STYLES
If you are trying to decide why you should learn piano over another instrument it may come down to music style. Do you want to play blues, rock, or classical? With the piano it doesn’t matter you can play almost any style.
Playing a pop song or classical sonatas on the piano does not require different notes; when you know how to read and play piano music, you can play classical, jazz, rock, country, folk, cabaret, tunes from Broadway musicals, and more. If you learn to play the piano, you have learned the universal musical language.
6. YOU CAN PLAY PLAY WHEN YOUNG AND OLD
Whether you are 6 or 60, it’s a fantastic hobby, unlike athletic hobbies that get more difficult as you age, and your knees start to go out. A piano player can play well into their late years.
The oldest concert pianist player based on the Guinness World Records is Draga Matkovic. On her 100th birthday, she gave a public piano performance!
7. YOU CAN PLAY PIANO ANYWHERE
One of my favorite places to play is in the streets of Denver. Old pianos are decorated and are placed throughout the streets. Anyone can play. They are open for anyone to use. Sit down and start to play a catchy tune and a crowd will likely gather.
8. NO ELECTRICITY NEEDED
You don’t even need electricity—no need to plug in your piano. The piano can play beautiful music without any extra power adapters. However, my favorite way to play is on a keyboard, which completely disproves this point. But we have seen more and more keyboards with some excellent battery life. With the right setup, you could play for hours on a battery-powered keyboard.
Since the piano is such a widely accepted instrument. You can find just about any sheet music you want to play at an affordable price.
Want to play some Justin Bieber? No problem. Classical music, done. Jazz music, you can do that too.
9. You can learn the piano quicker than most instruments
Learning to play is no easy task, but it’s also a lot easier than many other instruments. If you really set aside time to practice, you can expect to be playing some catchy tunes in just a few short weeks.
Now it takes years to master, but if you’re looking to have fun, you’ll be making progress faster than you’ll think.
10. YOU CAN GET PAID TO PLAY PIANO
If you need the ultimate excuse to why you should learn piano. It’s because you can make some serious coin.
It’s not uncommon to see classified ads for people looking to hire piano players. You can find great regular gigs playing the piano for department stores, dueling piano bars, classy cocktail bars and restaurants, private parties. Many of these places will pay around $250 a night to do something you already love doing!
The combination of the skill of performing and interpreting music happens every time you play.
With the piano, you are a musician from day one.