We all know music has ‘magical’ abilities; it has the power to tap directly into our emotions, turn on our imaginations and ignite our soul. There is growing scientific evidence that shows learning to play an instrument – and piano in particular – can make you smarter, happier and healthier. The cognitive demands of learning piano could help with everything from planning skills and language development to reducing anxiety and even boosting memory.
Karen Karana Tse is the founder of String & Keyboard Musik, an innovative programme that seeks to help young minds learn music in a fun and accessible way. When she was nine, Karen required brain surgery to remove a dangerous blockage which was impeding blood flow, and again three years later. It was after this second set of surgery that Karen's doctors advised her to take up music.
‘After both surgeries, doctors were concerned that my illness would affect my brain development at such a young age – at which point they suggested that I begin training in music and learn different musical instruments to stimulate my brain development and to assist with the recovery from my surgeries,’ she says.
What followed was an exciting musical career, beginning with the piano.
Learning piano builds brain power
The mental demands of learning the piano are so significant that players' brains are structured differently from other people's. Breakthroughs in brain imaging have shown that playing piano strengthens the bridge between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, making the connections in the frontal lobe more efficient. This means that pianists may have a serious leg up in terms of problem solving, language, spontaneity, decision-making and social behaviour.
Piano players are master multitaskers
Learning to play piano means teaching your brain how to work in overdrive. Think about all the individual tasks your brain has to perform simultaneously: keeping time, following pitch, forming chords, maintaining posture and controlling your breath, all while your right and left hands are operating independently from each other while ranging over 88 little black or white levers. You might also be operating the pedals and reading and interpreting sheet music at the same time. Every time you sit down to play piano, you're giving your brain a monstrous workout, exercising your logical, creative, visual, auditory, emotional and motor functions.
Learning piano is beneficial at any age
While learning piano at a young age is a great way to develop discipline, self-esteem and academic skills, it's never too late to benefit from the power of playing. Adults who learn to play piano experience a decrease in depression, fatigue and anxiety, and an increase in memory, verbal communication and a feeling of independence. Playing piano can also help alleviate symptoms of dementia, PTSD and stroke, by improving cognition and dexterity and reducing stress.
String & Keyboard Musik
String & Keyboard Musik currently operates in 39 locations across five countries (China, Malaysia, France, Canada and the USA). It offers two programmes: Rainbow Bell, a music education programme for very young children, and a range of certified music courses for children between the ages of two to eight, specially devised to help with children's brain development. The company also offers its own range of videos, apps, workbooks and other learning resources. You can find out more online www.stringsandkeyboardmusik.com.
