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How Piano Affects The Brain

12/11/2017

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Becoming a piano player is a worthy goal in itself. Many people play tunes just for their own enjoyment. It can be a great stress relief as hands fly over the keys. There may be an end goal, such as accompaniment for a singer or a band. For some, learning the piano will be a step toward a career in music. Yet research has shown that learning the piano is as much about developing the brain as it is the music itself.


Learning Mathematics
Music and math go hand in hand. Piano students do not always realize it, but they are immersed in math. As their piano teacher teaches them to count notes, their brain is learning fractions, decimals, and percentages. Dr. Frances Rauscher, a leading researcher, wrote in the Educational Psychologist that playing instruments is more important than passive listening. Learning to read music instills core math principles. As the student advances, math skills naturally advance as well.


Learning to Memorize
To play music, the brain must memorize many facts and translate them into action. Piano students use their brain pathways in ways that may have been closed to them through traditional learning. In addition, most students learn to memorize entire pieces. This memorization takes place on many levels as their brain retains rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, and more.


Improving Hand-Eye Coordination
Any piano teacher can tell you that playing with both hands is difficult. That’s because a person's hands don’t like to work counter to each other. More than typing or any other two-handed activity, piano forces the student’s arms and hands to perform separately yet in tandem. Even as this is happening, the student learns to keep an eye on their music, following it at a much more rapid pace than normal reading. The fact that all of this activity translates into coherent music is part of the magic of playing the piano.


Developing Focus and Patience
Students must develop the patience to wait as a difficult piece becomes easier and easier until finally it isn't hard at all. They must retain focus even when they become confused or bored with a piece. As they practice this patience and forbearance, something else is happening at the same time. Visual and spatial skills are strengthened in each session at the keys. Mental-physical connections are made and repeated. This discipline and dedication to craft may spill over into other areas of life. Having taught themselves to focus on the music, the student may focus better when faced with difficult puzzles. Practice and patience become positive mental habits for a lifetime.


Developing a Love of Music
In an era where popular music often has no real musical value, a love of music is a meaningful gift to give a child. Taking piano lessons should help a student's brain develop a greater appreciation for different styles of music. As the difficulties of making music become clear to students over time, they will appreciate the skill and dedication it takes to bring real music into the world.


Helping Older Students
Hand-eye coordination and, of course, concentration are good assets for a teenager, for a mature adult, and for the aging brain of a senior citizen. The left and right hand must operate independently of one another, sharpening coordination for other activities. Learning a new skill, developing the ability to focus, and challenging personal limitations are all benefits of learning the piano at any age.
Whether it is for practical reasons or the love of the music, learning to play the piano is a smart move for kids and adults alike.

​For more information on this topic, contact Ben Kromholtz
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Learning to Play Music as a Source of Happiness

11/16/2017

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Music can be a source of deep emotion for both the performer and their audience. We are naturally musical creatures, with a built-in emotional response to music. Musical pieces can tug at our heartstrings and bring us to weeping, or they can bring us uplifted feelings of joy. On the whole, music brings us much happiness.

There is no doubt that hearing “Here Comes the Bride” pick up as the bride-to-be walks down the aisle brings a smile of joy to every participant at a wedding. Every piece of music has some emotionally evocative element to it. Even a children’s nursery rhyme like “Old McDonald Had a Farm” can evoke a feeling of happiness in people.

The Field of Music Study is Rich in VarietyMusic is a remarkably complex and vast subject of study. Musical studies can include cultural research, music theory or exploring styles and forms of music. Studies like learning to play a musical instrument are hands-on experiences. There is much to explore in the world of music.

If you want to study a particular instrument or style of music, it’s only a matter of sitting down to play. Often a music teacher is very beneficial. The effort you put into your training will have results. Even composers of symphonies had no prior experience when they first took up musical studies. They too needed study time.

There is Joy in Learning to Play MusicSeeking to improve your talents can bring you a feeling satisfaction and accomplishment. Learning to play the piano or any instrument is especially satisfying because it can produce many happy experiences. Being a musician opens up many new opportunities in life. Instrumentalists draw people to them, because of the love so many have for music.

Musical prowess has many perks. Gaining the ability to play an instrument well can lead to gainful employment, or to new social opportunities. Employers are impressed by well-developed musical skill because it shows dedication and follow-through in the character of the musician.

Music lessons can be worthwhile both as a way to build your skills and as a way to unlock new potential in music. They can be fun, too, especially when you have a skilled music teacher. Getting outside input on your development can help you break through barriers and see your talent in new ways.

Dedication to practice with a musical instrument can ultimately lead to playing for others, which can be a very gratifying experience.

Sharing Your Musical Talent With Others Bring HappinessThe friends and family of musical people love to hear them play. Music brings a fuller enjoyment of life at home. You can help your loved ones to have happier lives by playing for them, and they will be thankful for the benefit.

Musicians are afforded many possibilities to share their talents. People enjoy music wherever they are, and people often seek out musical performances in their leisure time. There are opportunities to play in the family sing-a-long, in church gatherings, summer camp, private parties, and concert events. Places to play are easy to find. People enjoy live music, and wherever you play, the emotional response is palpable, which itself makes learning to play worthwhile.

Overall, music talent is a valuable asset, and it benefits the musical artist and everyone that hears them play. You can make many new friends anywhere, whether you are playing as a street musician, or in a formal concert. Music can give you happier experiences in life. Playing music is fun, useful, and an excellent way to spend your time. Music is a constant friend.
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For more information on this topic, contact Ben Kromholtz at Kenmore Piano Studio.
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Piano - Where Do I Begin?

11/1/2017

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For students, initiating piano study can lead to fresh, new musical vistas. Knowing where to start is important, and doing it right from the beginning is essential to build good form throughout your studies.


The learner can choose to study from books initially or to be taught by a music teacher. Studies of any kind will develop your skill as a pianist, but many students benefit greatly from piano lessons with an experienced music teacher.


However you begin, there are fundamental musical concepts and principles involved in piano playing that are essential to becoming a skilled player. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most key lessons to pursue in your studies.



Starting With the Basics

Beginning studies focus on getting familiar with the keyboard and identifying the notes associated with each key, understanding keyboard fingering and hand techniques, establishing correct posture and hand shape and simply having fun getting acquainted with the piano on the whole. These are the basic foundation from which the student can develop good technique as a pianist.


Piano lessons can cover instruction at this basic level, and getting instruction from a skilled teacher from the beginning is a sensible way to ensure good piano playing form throughout your studies and performances. Finding the right teacher for you from the beginning can help build your skills for great ability as a pianist.



The Next Step Beyond Getting Familiar with the Piano

Beyond those very first lessons in piano playing, students begin to learn slightly more advanced skills like understanding chords, sorting out how to play songs in different time signatures, and sight reading. These are still basic concepts, and they are also essential for building great skill as a pianist.


Chords are an essential part of music, and time signatures are integral elements in every piece of music. There are other more advanced concepts like music scales beyond this level. But, a skill that is needed very early on is sight reading.



Progressing as a Pianist: Learning Sight Reading

Reading a piece of music from the page is an essential skill for musicians. And, this is particularly true for pianists. If you want to reach the level of playing in a symphony, or in a school recital, picking up sight reading skills up from the beginning will prepare you for a bright musical future.


Learning to sight read initially involves reading easier pieces like “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” In the process of learning sight reading, there is a lot to take in. Learning piano playing skills from a professional teacher can help to smooth out the process. The teacher can guide the student through the essentials and get them up to speed more quickly than trying to do it on their own.


Learning sight reading involves understanding time signatures, sorting out the difference between notes on the page like whole notes, half notes and quarter notes, and seeing the correspondence between notes on the page and the keys on the keyboard. These are essential skills that are needed to advance to playing your favorite pieces from the written page.



Regular Study Will Lead to Greater Ability with the Piano

As a beginner, you need to lay the groundwork for skilled playing into the future. Whether you build your skills with piano lessons or seek to learn on your own, the final payoff is becoming a trained pianist, with the ability to play your favorite musical pieces for yourself and others. Keep at it, and you will one day reach this point. It’s worth it.

For more information on this topic, contact Ben Kromholtz at Kenmore Piano Studio.
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Why Music Is Beneficial To Society

10/6/2017

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At Kenmore Piano Studio, we know that parents want to provide the best music lessons for their children. Many of our clients might wonder how music is beneficial for them or for society, and we know that music offers multiple benefits.

Music Benefit 1: Music Can Improve Your Mood

When our clients are having a difficult day, we suggest that they listen to music. The right type of music can make someone feel more energetic or help him to relax. Music can also lift someone’s mood when he is feeling depressed. Music helps improve an individual’s mood by increasing the release of serotonin into the brain.

Music Benefit 2: Music Can Keep Someone Awake

When someone is feeling tired at the end of a difficult day, we recommend listening to a lively music CD on the drive home. Listening to music during a long drive can keep someone from zoning out and falling asleep. After someone arrives at her home, she can continue to listen to music while preparing dinner and getting her children ready for bed.

Music Benefit 3: Music Changes the Chemistry Inside the Brain

Certain types of music will change the chemistry inside the brain, helping a student to learn faster in a classroom. The best type of music to listen to for brain improvement includes classical or symphonic music that has a regular rhythm. Some teachers will play music for their students to help them have better scores on tests.

Music Benefit 4: Music Is a Common Way To Communicate

All over the world, people listen to different types of music, and this music helps people to communicate with each other. With music lessons from an expert, an adult or child can learn more about the variety of musical styles and instruments used by other cultures. It is possible to listen to music at street fairs and weddings.

Music Benefit 5: Music Can Prevent Dementia Conditions

When senior citizens are worried about developing dementia conditions, they should begin to listen to music. While enjoying music, an individual can develop healthier synapses in his brain to keep his cognitive abilities stronger. Many assisted living facilities use music to improve the health of a senior citizen’s brain.

Music Benefit 6: Music Can Reduce Physical Discomfort

While listening to music, patients will have less pain when they are listening to certain types of music. At a dental office, the hygienist may ask a patient to bring in her favorite musical CD so that she can listen to it during a teeth-cleaning procedure. To keep children from having temper tantrums, pediatricians might play calming music during a vaccination clinic.

Music Benefit 7: Music Can Help During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can listen to music while practicing their labor breathing techniques. Some women enjoy listening to music while they are actually in labor. When a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, she can listen to music to reduce her anxiety levels.

Music Benefit 8: Music Is Helpful During Exercise Routines

When someone is exercising, she can listen to music to make it less boring. It is possible to download music onto a cellphone to carry during a hike in the woods or while performing a yoga routine. Listening to music can motivate someone to begin exercising more in order to lose weight.

Music Benefit 9: Music Helps With Socialization

Group music lessons will give someone a chance to socialize with others. When a child or adult is shy, finding new ways to spend time with others is imperative. Enrolling in classes at a music studio is fun for everyone.
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For more information on this topic, contact Ben Kromholtz at Kenmore Piano Studio.
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