1. Enrichment of the
Human Spirit.
It has been said that people are 80 percent emotional
and 20 percent rational, that humans are powered by
emotion, not by reason. Sit at a piano. Apply some
skill. Go there.
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive
expression of humanity. It's something we are all
touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone
loves music. Billy Joel
Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You
learn notes to play to the music of your soul.
Katie Greenwood
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The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking,
'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be,
'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the
meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'
Aaron
Copland (Known as Dean of American Composers.)
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday
life. Red Auerbach (Named the greatest coach in the
history of the NBA by the Pro Basketball Writers Assoc.
of America)
2. Self Discipline
Who doesn't need more of that? This benefit is a biggie
for me. It is learning for yourself the association
between diligence and reward, hard work and payday,
sacrifice and the championship. I know children and
adults who invest countless hours in becoming experts at
watching TV, playing video games and "chilling out". And
to what gain? I say, trade 30 minutes a day for a
lifelong skill that will benefit you and others around
you.
(For more, see Connie Steinman's insights at <http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/5-bc/47-piano-lessons.htm>.)
3. Emotional Development
This study revealed an association between piano lessons
and self-esteem. I am not a self-esteem nut, but I do
want students to sense the support of their parents and
take pride in their hard earned accomplishments.
Costa-Giomi, Eugenia. (2004) Effects of three years of
piano instruction on children's academic achievement,
school performance and self-esteem. Psychology of Music,
vol. 32, no. 2, 139-152.
4. Brain Development
Coordination, memory and concentration enhancement are
obvious gains from serious piano study (not the dabbling
kind). Connections have been made between music training
and spatial-temporal ability in preschool children, and
in college students who just listen to a Mozart sonata.
Dr. Frances Rauscher, University of Wisconsin at OshKosh.
Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California at
Irvine. Neurological Research, February 1997.
In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on
more than 25,000 secondary school students (NELS:88, National Education
Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report
consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the
middle and high school years show "significantly higher levels of
mathematics proficiency by grade 12." This observation holds regardless
of students' socio-economic status, and differences in those who are
involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more
significant over time.
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