The joy in learning a musical instrument and its various benefits in relaxation and self-expression are well known. In the Covid-era of lockdowns around the globe, playing music gave many a way to stay sane, and along with it introduced an entirely new stream of ‘learn-to-play’ teach-yourself methods in the music education space. Across Apple’s AppStore, YouTube and the broader web a range of programs, apps and of course ‘Zoom’ hundreds of thousands have taken to their instrument of choice and discovered the pleasure that making music gives us. For many of us older readers, it was actually a rediscovery and speaking personally I can vouch for the many that have persisted even as we leave the lockdowns and the solitude that went with it, behind us.
Why does playing an instrument affect us the way it does? Says John Pani PhD, chair of Neuroscience at University of Pennsyvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, “it engages every major part of the central nervous system, tapping into both the right and left sides of the brain.” Playing with both hands for instance, engages the peripheral nervous system, improves motor skills and focus and simultaneously engages the visual, auditory and emotional sensory inputs. In short, a total workout for the brain and … “fun can be good for you”.
Well, that last bit is hardly news, but learning the piano for instance has certainly moved on from the days when a Nun rapped students over the knuckles with a ruler when wrong notes were played.
There are now numerous studies from around the world of the incredible benefits to young people of learning an instrument. Simply, musicians make better students. Their numeracy and reading skills are often more advanced for their age, as are their comprehension levels, coordination, confidence and social skills. And as a major benefit, it can bring better mental health through confidence and self-expression. Adult students don’t miss out on these same benefits. An article in National Geographic noted in a study that piano students aged from 60-85 had after six months, showed gains in memory, verbal fluency, the speed at which they processed information, planning ability and other cognitive functions, compared to those who had not taken lessons.
It is, in other words, NEVER TOO LATE to learn!
One of the ways we here at Pianos Recycled can help those interested is, we have a great supply of reliable, sound instruments, checked, tuned, regulated, often refurbished … and priced really keenly. It does not have to cost you multiples of thousands of dollars to have a good instrument in your life. Although, as mentioned in an early post, beware of free pianos!
Give us a call and make a time to come in and visit our Piano Showroom at Braeside.
YES, we have a physical showroom and always a good supply of quality stock on display - Click here for a squizz. Or we can Facetime and we can take you around the showroom and discuss what you are looking for, play a few pianos for you and generally get you heading in the right direction, and all without you leaving your kitchen.
Don’t delay! And don’t forget, it’s never too late to learn!
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