AKARSH SHEKHAR
Music
is
definitely
magical. It
can stir up our
emotions and ignite our
imagination like nothing
else. It can make us clench our
fist in dissent or grab our lover's
hand tightly with equal ease. However
emotionally moving us isn't all music can do.
Ever-growing scientific suggests that playing
an instrument, the piano in particular, can have
a holistic positive impact on your life. Playing the
piano is a wonderful experience for a multitude of reasons.
You can accompany you family while they sing holiday
classics or entertain your horde (or a bunch) of screaming
(or quiet) fans. Playing the piano can really help your brain
in ways that you wouldn't expect. Here are some ways in
which playing the piano can boost your brain power:
Improved Hand-eye Coordination
A good hand-eye coordination is a must for playing the
piano. A recent study (Music and Health; Alan H. D. Watson,
School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK) suggests that
pianists actually change their brains’ cortical mapping to
increase finger speeds. It’s a boon for people with reduced
motor skills. Playing the piano can challenge their brains
to make new connections and enhance their motor skills.
This can help children and even adults improve their hand-
eye coordination later in life. It's never too late to start.
Expanded Cultural Knowledge
A 2016 study (ScienceDaily and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology) showed that musical preference comes from cultural
influences and is not innate (born into us). So if you love the
super-dissonant harmonies of Stravinsky, then you’re really no
different than someone who loves Mozart —at your core, that is.
The study also shows that learning to play piano helps expand
our cultural knowledge by exposing us to new sounds and styles
of music. Especially for children, this exposure can encourage
divergent thinking and a better acceptance of different cultures.
Improved Kinesthetic or Tactile Learning
“Kinesthesia” is the sense that detects bodily position, weight,
or movement of the muscles, tendons, and joints. In 2013, a
study at an institute in Barcelona (Pompeu Fabra University,
Barcelona, Spain) found that people who practiced piano
had better neurological and psychological improvements
compared with people who participated in activities such as
football, basketball, or drawing, according to their scale.
How Playing the
Piano Boosts Your
Brain Power
Slowed
Decline
of Neural
Processing,
Hearing, and Memory
As we age, our ability
to process auditory signals
usually begins to slow down. A
recent study by ABC News discoveres
that those who made a lifelong habit of
playing music slowed this decline and that of
brain processing and inner-ear hearing loss. A lot
of pianists continue to play the instrument well into
their seventies. ”Use it or lose it" is definitely at work here.
Enhanced Self-esteem
A 2014 study of Canadian fourth-grade students (Sage Pub
Journals) showed those who received three years of individual
piano lessons tested higher on self-esteem measures and
achievement tests. The feeling of accomplishment that comes
from learning a piece of music is a wonderful confidence
booster. Performing it from memory is even better. It's just
an incredible rush of adrenaline and feel good hormones.
A Great Digital Detox
The digital revolution has more or less enslaved us to our
screens now. New research keeps popping up everyday which
talks about the harmful effects of extended time spent on
digital devices. A digital detox or spending time away from
digital devices is really necessary for us all. Long periods of
time on electronics have been shown to increase brain atrophy
and lower cognitive functioning (Psychology Today, Victoria
L. Dunckley, MD). Playing the piano gets you away from
your digital screens. Since it's such an absorbing activity, it
keeps you away from your digital screens for a long time.
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
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