Playing Piano: The Importance of Music and Piano Lessons for Kids

Have you ever thought about learning an instrument?  Or maybe getting piano lessons for kids so they can begin playing piano.  If you have, awesome! If not, you should. There are so many benefits of playing piano that the importance of music can’t be denied.

The Importance of Music

The importance of music in everyone’s life is undeniable, whether you just like listening to your favorite artist or performing it yourself.  Music is a way to build bonds within your family and to reap many benefits for those performing it and listening to it. It’s a way to relax when your stressed.  You can expand your creativity and create an environment that isn’t available any other way.

Music is also vital in other creative works.  It is used in TV, movies, and drama productions.  Whether just for the credits and transitions or because the show is a musical, it’s an important part of the show.  Music is used in elevators and at sporting events. What would the national anthem be without music? A poem. Still meaningful but not the same.  So music is vital for our everyday lives just listening to it, but what about performing it? What are the benefits of playing piano?

Here are several benefits of playing piano…

Benefits of Playing Piano

It’s a Mood Lifter

One of the the benefits of playing piano is that it is a mood lifter.  If you are down in a slump you can sit down at the piano and it can change everything.  Envision taking on a dragon in a great adventure or being part of an animal carnival. Both are possible when you are playing piano or performing a piece of music. There is an experience you can have when playing music on any instrument.  It’s the ultimate mood lifter.

It Instills Responsibility

Playing piano or any instrument gives kids responsibility.  They will have to be good listeners to learn the notes and keys.  At home kids (or adults) will need to practice what they have learned if they want to get good at it and enjoy it.  There are books to keep track of as well. It’s not a lot but it will teach them to be responsible for a few things.

Learning Band Instruments is Easier

When kids learn how to play piano it makes learning to play an instrument later on easier.   This one was one of the biggest benefits of playing piano for me. I like playing piano but love playing the flute.  When I was old enough to start learning the flute I had already been playing piano for about 3 years. So I didn’t have to learn the music part, just how to play the instrument.  It helped me advance so much quicker than others who had to learn everything all at once.

So if your kids think they might want to play an instrument in band they should learn to play the piano first.  And besides, if your school district is anything like ours around here, 2 years of piano is required if kids want to learn to play the drums.

Studies Show Kids Involved in Music Perform Better Academically

There are studies out there that show kids perform better academically when they are involved in music. According to the National Association for Music Education (NAME), “After assigning 144 children to keyboard lessons, voice lessons, drama lessons, or no lessons, researchers found that children in the music groups exhibited greater increases on an IQ test than students in the drama lessons or those without lessons.”

Other studies show links between math improvement because of the numbers used in music. When you read music there is continuous counting and reasoning that has to happen. So music is not only a creative art but also a practical one too.

Improves Muscle Tone and Hand-Eye Coordination

Playing piano uses muscles that most people don’t use.  Yes, you use your fingers to type, write and more. But most people don’t press multiple fingers down at the same time or in different combinations.  It take strength to use your pinky and other fingers you don’t realize until you do it.

The other part of this is the hand-eye coordination.  Just like catching a ball, you have to be able to respond with your hands from what you see on the page.  It take a lot of hand-eye coordination to look at a page and get your fingers working in the right patterns.  So, learning to play the piano through piano lessons is a great way to improve even physically.

It builds a great family bond

One of the best benefits of playing the piano is the family connection it can build.  Music can bring you closer together in many ways. When I was a teen and learning the flute my dad played the piano to accompany me on duets.  It made playing an instrument that much more fun. It wasn’t tedious practice time, but quality time spent with my dad.

Now maybe you aren’t a piano player but you could learn.  Or you can connect by supporting your kids at music concerts, piano recitals, or just taking an interest in what they are doing. I’ve even seen entire families performing together.  Or maybe it will conjure up feelings of your youth. When you took piano lessons or played an instrument your kids wants to play in the school band. Whatever the case may be, it will build the family bond.

And if you want more ways to grow as a family I encourage you to implement family night one or more nights a week.  Here are some great ideas for family movie night or family game nights.

Disadvantages of Playing Piano

There are always disadvantages to things in life. How many times do we find ourselves pondering the good and the bad of a situation? As with anything, there are disadvantages of playing piano. But, if I’m going to be honest, this is a little more difficult task.  As there aren’t very many disadvantages of playing piano. But if I were to name a few, here they are and why they aren’t really all that big of a deal.

The Price of Lessons

The first of the disadvantages of playing piano is it does cost money to learn to play piano.  Playing piano, or any instrument for that matter, isn’t free. You will have to pay for lessons (and yes, I recommend you find a teacher, especially for kids).  You will also need to have an instrument to practice on. Now you can find good used pianos but you will still need to be ready to tune it if its an acoustic one.  Or invest in a decent electric keyboard. But is it worth the cost? Well, read the benefits and you decide if it is worth the price for piano lessons for kids.

Time Commitment

The only other of the disadvantages of playing piano is time.  Getting piano lessons for kids or adults alike takes a time commitment.  How much time depends on how much you want to get out of the lessons. You will have to be committed to your kids lesson time, being prompt and consistent.  But in between lessons you also have to practice or if it’s your kids taking piano lessons, encourage them to practice. You can’t learn to do anything without practicing, especially learn a new instrument.  You might be asking if you have time for one more thing? I would ask, do you have time to teach your kids something that will help them learn to relax in the future? Are you wanting them to improve academically?

So if the the benefits of playing piano outweigh the disadvantages of playing piano, keep reading…

The Best Way to Learn Piano

There are multiple options for piano lessons for kids and adults.  You can watch videos online of how to play the piano, teach your kids piano lessons from home yourself, or hire a piano teacher.  I would highly recommend hiring a piano teacher. This would be the best way to learn piano.

Now if you are a piano teacher or have a great deal of knowledge about playing piano and music you could give your kids piano lessons from home.  It wouldn’t be unreasonable, but it does come with challenges too. I give my kids piano lessons from home and love it but yet find it difficult in other ways too.  

If you aren’t versed in music and piano or even if you are and don’t want to give your kids piano lessons at home, find a good teacher.  There are many teachers out there. Some do online lessons (I have to admit I’m not as familiar with this method). Others do direct teaching.    There are teachers who have a studio where you can take your kids for their lessons. Some also are traveling teachers where they will come and give your kids piano lessons at home.  There’s advantages and disadvantages to both. You just need to do what is right for your family.

The Cost of Piano Lessons

You might be wondering what the cost of piano lessons really is.  This is another tough question but I wanted to address it as best as I could.  The reason it’s difficult is because prices vary depending on the area you live in and the qualifications of the teacher you hire.  Prices can range from $13 per 30 minute lesson in the midwest up to $30 per 30 minute lesson in more metropolitan areas. However, can vary within each city and region so be sure to check with your local teachers if you want a better idea of what piano lessons will cost.

Finding a Piano Teacher Near Me

There are a few ways of finding a piano teacher near me.  The first is google. Just go to the homepage and type in “finding a piano teacher near me”.  A list of local teachers and music stores may come up based on your zip code. You can then contact those that come up for more information.  

For instance, our local music store that sells instruments, books and such have a list of piano teachers in our town.  The list has their addresses and phone numbers so people looking for piano teachers can contact those near them or whomever they want to in town.

The Adventure Awaits

Whether you are a musician or not, the importance of music can’t be denied.  There are so many benefits of playing piano like a lifted mood and better academic performance.  

One of the things I value most is my ability to play instruments.  It’s a way of escaping and entering a whole new world. Letting the imagination grow.  

So let your kids go on the adventure by learning the piano and eventually another instrument if they want to.  The value is beyond one that I can put a number too. You won’t regret getting piano lessons for kids in your house and encouraging others to do so too.

Blessings

~Melissa