The Hidden Benefits of Piano Lessons,

That Parents Need to Know.

By Jo Ann Vick

 

Once your student begins piano lessons, you may be wondering what benefits your child will gain from their lessons. Sometimes you must make the decision whether to continue your child's lessons or to let them quit. Here are a few reasons to start, and stick with, piano lessons:

†   The ability to handle pressures in life. It's normal for piano students to experience some stress as part of learning piano. By participating in music performances, like recitals, they learn to deal with racing heartbeats, fingers trembling, feeling anxious, and staying focused in order to do a good job. That's why they spend so much time practicing to make that recital experience as pleasant as possible!

†   The ability to respond to criticism. Piano students are always being watched closely by their teacher. They learn to accept advice and feedback from their teacher who they consider an expert. It makes them more considerate of others with different opinions than their own.

†   The ability to cope with victory as well as setbacks. Whenever a student gets the chance to perform whether it be at a school event, at a recital or simply at a family gathering, they will experience successes as well as disappointments. Sometimes an audience will not respond the way they expect and other times will be very impressed with their ability. No matter what happens, these opportunities give them practice with both results.

†   The value of hard work and perseverance in long term goals. Young piano students see that it takes time to progress. They don't get instantaneous results, which is how many things are in life. Also, learning doesn't always happen at the same rate. They won't always feel like they're accomplishing much of anything and can get easily discouraged. This is not the moment to allow the child to quit piano when it gets difficult or boring.

Piano study is learned in steps as the student goes from the first book on up through levels 2, 3, 4 and so on. The students realize, as they progress to a new book, that they are not only getting better but enjoying playing the piano as well. Once a teenager, especially when they want something very badly, their minds will be distracted from obtaining short term gratification. Hard work will ultimately help them to reach their long-term goals.

†   To get accustomed to the feeling of achievement. Studying a musical instrument is about learning how to become good at something. There will be times when their talents will be recognized. The biggest benefit of piano studies is not even about music itself. It is all the skills acquired by learning the instrument: staying calm and focused under pressure, figuring out one's weaknesses and working to get better, keeping on even when it's a challenge, working even when you don't feel like doing it, breaking tasks down into little pieces to reach goals and providing an outlet for creativity.

Your children may not turn out to be concert pianists, but they may become doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, engineers, writers, teachers... because they have been provided immeasurable opportunities to develop essential life skills.

Jo Ann Vick is a private piano instructor with 20 years of training and performing experience
and has a home based studio in Frisco, Texas. Her mission is to develop in others, a love
for playing the piano. Her website is located at www.teachmethepiano.com