Music is good for the soul. Creating music, not just listening to it, builds creativity, coordination and discipline. The piano is an ideal instrument for an aspiring musician to learn. Teaching yourself to play, though, is not the best option, and can result in bad habits that are hard to break or your expensive piano going unused.
The best way to learn to play the piano is through in-person, one-on-one lessons. The piano is easy to learn, but incredibly hard to master. Working with an instructor means you or your child will be introduced to concepts in proven ways. Virtual lessons don’t work as well for many reasons. The instructor cannot as easily reach over to demonstrate the technique of a chord or sequence they want to show. The instructor is also not there to play along with at the same time. The instructor will not be able to write in fingerings or helpful notes in your sheet music, or even watch your pedaling foot at the same time as your fingers playing.
A good instructor will also help you get the right piano for your child to practice on. Many students will have keyboards or digital pianos…this is a good idea when you are not sure whether your child will enjoy lessons and want to continue. For lessons, they may play an instrument that is different from what they have at home.
It is important to have access to a piano (acoustic or digital) at home so you or your child can practice, and keep in mind acoustic pianos need to be tuned regularly.
Instruction Will Help You Enjoy the Time
A good instructor will make learning piano fun! They will teach you or your child melodies that are age appropriate and give you enjoyable options of pieces to learn. The genres of music playable on piano at any level might range from classical, to show tunes, to modern pop and rock music. Piano is a versatile instrument that can be played in a variety of styles!
Make sure to choose an instructor who is a good fit for you or your child. Many instructors have different teaching styles and personalities. A good instructor can make even “dry” music theory that you or your child might otherwise try to avoid interesting and entertaining.
Playing Piano is Good For Your Brain
Playing music is basically a whole brain workout. Music increases creativity and is an enjoyable way to learn basic math concepts. Playing music engages the entire central nervous system. The piano requires that you use both hands independently and together, and thus can improve hand-eye coordination as well as fine motor skills. It even improves executive function. For younger kids, it can help them learn their right from their left faster. Learning to read sheet music helps develop reading skills, while learning to play without the music is a great exercise for memory.
Creating music is also a great mood elevator…and a way to improve the mood of others and feel satisfaction. Playing the piano is particularly good for fine motor coordination and learning to multitask. Learning to play piano is also excellent for discipline and focus.
Piano is a Great Choice to Play With Other Musicians
The piano is often seen as a solo instrument and, indeed, it can be. However, being able to play the piano also comes with social opportunities. A pianist willing to accompany vocalists and other instruments will always be in demand. You can also play duets both on the same piano and different ones. If you or your child enjoys classical music then there are some fantastic concertos written for piano, in which the pianist is accompanied by an orchestra or other group of musicians.
Playing the piano also means you or your child can easily play an electronic keyboard. This will allow for other options such as joining or forming a garage band. Modern digital pianos can be used as both.
If you or your child is interested in learning to play the piano, then it’s time to look for a great instructor to help. At The Southbury Music Studio, we have been providing quality private instruction for over twelve years. We also rent instruments and sell sheet music and music accessories. We stock the teaching materials needed for learning piano and other instruments.
Contact us to find out more and start the process of choosing a piano instructor for you or your child.
