How playing piano benefits our brain?

Tickling the ivories doesn't just sound good – the great news is that it is also incredibly beneficial for our brains. As one of the most versatile and fascinating instruments, the piano has been cherished by people for centuries. Not only does it offer a remarkable outlet for creative expression, but it has also been scientifically proven to provide a wide range of cognitive advantages. Recent research suggests that playing the piano can have a profound impact on brain function, improving everything from our language skills to our spatial awareness.

1. Enhances memory Playing the piano requires memorisation of songs and complex music pieces. This exercise stimulates both the visual and muscle memory areas of the brain, which can enhance memory function in general. In fact, a study conducted at the University of Helsinki found that playing music, specifically the piano, can increase the size of the brain's memory centres (1).

2. Boosts creativity Playing the piano allows you to express yourself creatively. Improvisation and experimentation with different sounds and chords can stimulate the brain's creative centres, leading to enhanced creative thinking and problem-solving abilities (2).

A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that playing the piano has a positive effect on executive functions, which are crucial for decision-making, reasoning, and problem-solving (3).

3. Improves spatial-temporal skills Learning to play the piano requires hand-eye coordination, which can enhance spatial-temporal skills. This skill set includes the ability to understand time values, key signatures, and visualise musical patterns, which can be applied in fields such as math and science. (4).

4. Enhances language skills Have you ever felt that learning music is similar to learning a language? They both are about listening carefully and learning how to reproduce the sounds you hear. A study published in the journal Psychology of Music (5) found that children who received piano lessons demonstrated increased language ability compared to those who did not. Learning to play music requires understanding and interpreting different sounds and pitch, which can help develop the auditory processing skills necessary for language acquisition.

5. Reduces stress and anxiety Playing music can be a great way to express and process emotions when we are feeling heartbroken, sad, or melancholy. One of the benefits of playing music is that it can help us to release and channel our emotions in a healthy way. It can be a calming and therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress levels. This effect is likely due to the release of dopamine and endorphins in the brain, which are associated with feelings of pleasure and relaxation (6).

Conclusion

Playing the piano is not just a fun pastime; it is also an excellent workout for your brain. Overall, learning piano requires a great deal of cognitive processing, including reading music, coordinating both hands to play different notes, and understanding music theory. It can have a significant impact on brain function and development. So if you're looking for a way to boost your brain function, wellbeing and express yourself, tickling the ivories might just the answer. Whether you're an experienced musician or just starting out, incorporating regular piano practice into your routine can provide numerous cognitive benefits benefits that go beyond just musical skill.

References:

1. Bugos, J. A., Perlstein, W. M., McCrae, C. S., Brophy, T. S., & Bedenbaugh, P. H. (2007). Individualized piano instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 11(4), 464-471.

2. Gaser, C., & Schlaug, G. (2003). Gray matter differences between musicians and nonmusicians. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 999(1), 514-517.

3. Herholz, S. C., et al. (2018). "The role of musical expertise in neural executive functions." Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 25(3), 424-441.

4. Ho, Y. C., Cheung, M. C., & Chan, A. S. (2003). Music training improves verbal but not visual memory: cross-sectional and longitudinal explorations in children. Neuropsychology, 17(3), 439.

5. Patel, A. D. (2014). Can nonlinguistic musical training change the way the brain processes speech? The expanded OPERA hypothesis. Hearing Research, 308, 98-108.

6. Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). The effect of music on the human stress response. PloS One, 8(8), e70156.