The piano (including the organ and electronic keyboard) has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father played the church organ, so there was always a piano or organ in our home. My mother was once a ballerina in Rome, Italy, in her youth so I was so fortunate that music and the arts were always appreciated in our home. For me, the piano was my favorite. I loved everything about it (the tone, the touch, the design, and how breathtaking each note sounded when struck - and it was extra thrilling when the sustain pedal was held down). The piano and organ were central pieces in our living room. But it wasn't until one life-changing day for our family, that the piano took on an additional meaning, and I saw it in a brighter light.
When my sister was just 12 years old, she suffered a life-changing car accident, which put her into a coma for over 3 months. The details of that accident and its aftermath are tragic; I won't spend time on that for the purposes of this post, but the piano became an essential part of our family and lives.
After my sister emerged from a 3-months long coma, her neurosurgeon made a life-changing recommendation to my mother to put her in piano lessons. The neurosurgeon said that piano lessons would improve her cognitive healing and hand-eye coordination. So my mother hired the local piano teacher from church and, by default, at the age of 5 years old, I became my sister's piano tutor; which instilled the importance of piano education in me before I was even really a piano student, myself.
Week after week, I saw my sister in her hospital gown and housecoat seated at the piano with the music teacher, working diligently to place her hands, understand the notes, make the piano sound in a consistent way, sing along, count aloud, and improving little-by-little, ever so slowly at playing the piano. She learned one hand at a time at first, and eventually two hands together, and sometimes getting frustrated - but always moving forward, always improving, always healing.
I'm not here to suggest that she became a good pianist; far from it. The car accident was tragic and she forever lives with severe cognitive challenges with difficulties walking, and living on her own. But her time at the piano was miraculous nonetheless. It helped to heal her, to heal my family, to give us continued hope, and to move us forward with a song. That's a miracle.
Piano lessons teach valuable lessons about life, beyond just musical skills. Here are a few ways piano lessons can parallel life lessons, and why I have dedicated my life to promoting the value of the piano, and why I recommend that you and your children take piano lessons now and for the rest of your lives. I recommend that you fill your home with a piano. Piano will change your lives for the better; here are just a few ways:
Practice and Persistence
Learning to play the piano requires consistent practice and perseverance. Similarly, in life, achieving goals often requires dedication and resilience in the face of challenges.
"The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible." - Charles Kingsleigh (from "Alice in Wonderland")
Patience
Progress in piano playing can be slow at times, requiring patience to master new techniques and pieces. This mirrors the patience needed in life to navigate through difficulties and wait for opportunities to unfold.
"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." - Aristotle
Attention to Detail
Piano playing demands attention to detail, from finger placement to dynamics. Similarly, attention to detail in life can lead to better outcomes, whether it's in relationships, work, or personal development.
"Success is the sum of details." - Harvey S. Firestone
Discipline
Setting aside time for regular practice sessions teaches discipline, a trait valuable in all areas of life, from academics to careers to personal habits.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." - Jim Rohn
Perseverance through Failure
Mistakes are inevitable in piano playing, but learning to move past them and keep playing teaches resilience. In life, failures are opportunities for growth, and resilience is essential for bouncing back from setbacks.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
Creativity
As students progress, they learn to express themselves creatively through music interpretation and composition. This creativity can translate to problem-solving and innovation in other aspects of life.
"Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein
Listening and Collaboration
Playing with others, whether in duets or ensembles, teaches the importance of listening and collaborating. These skills are crucial in teamwork and building successful relationships.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller
Goal Setting
Working towards mastering a difficult piece or passing an exam sets clear goals for piano students. Learning to set and achieve goals in music can translate to setting and achieving goals in other areas of life.
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins
Emotional Expression
Music is a powerful form of emotional expression, and learning to convey emotions through piano playing can enhance emotional intelligence and empathy in life.
"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
Enjoyment of the Process
Ultimately, piano lessons teach that the journey of learning is as important as reaching the destination. Similarly, enjoying the process of growth and learning is essential for a fulfilling life journey.
"Life is a journey, not a destination." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Piano lessons extend far beyond the realm of music, imparting invaluable lessons about life itself. From the discipline of practice to the patience required for progress, from the creativity of expression to the resilience in the face of failure, each aspect of piano learning mirrors fundamental aspects of the human experience.
Through the piano, individuals not only cultivate musical skill but also develop character traits and perspectives that serve them well in all areas of life. As they navigate the complexities of learning music, they simultaneously navigate the journey of self-discovery, growth, and fulfillment. Thus, the piano becomes not just an instrument but a profound teacher, offering lessons that resonate far beyond the keys.
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