Should Adults Take Piano Lessons? 4 Reasons Why You Should Consider It

Have you ever watched someone play the piano and thought, "I wish I could do that"? It's a common experience. Not everyone is cut out to be a concert pianist, but most people appreciate music and the talent and skill of the people who know how to make music. It's a common misconception that if you are an adult who's never learned to play an instrument like the piano, it's too late to start – most professional piano players start their lessons early in childhood. But you can learn to play the piano proficiently as an adult. You may not become a concert pianist, but you can definitely learn to make beautiful music. Take a look at a few good reasons why you should consider taking piano lessons as an adult.

Piano Playing Eases Your Stress

You probably don't need a scientific study to tell you that listening to music can lower your stress levels and make you feel happier. Just hearing music that you like is an instant mood-lifter. But can making music yourself also lower your stress levels? Science says yes.

Researchers in Japan tested subjects participating in several art forms, including piano playing, calligraphy, and working with clay, to see if their anxiety and stress hormone levels were reduced after taking part in their activity. Subjects participating in all of the artistic activities saw a reduction in stress hormone levels, but out of all the activities, piano playing was the most effective at reducing stress.

Piano Playing Supports Joint Health

As adults age, joint problems can be a common health complaint. Arthritis and other conditions affecting the joints can make everyday activities difficult and painful. Keeping your joints in good health is important for your quality of life.

Piano playing encourages joint mobility in your arms and hands. This is important because there's no direct blood flow to your joints that washes away waste products that can lead to problems in that area, like there is with muscles. Instead of blood, your joints rely on synovial fluid to wash away waste. Mobility exercises help increase the flow of synovial fluid and support joint health. Playing the piano is an excellent form of mobility exercise for the joints that need it the most, and daily practicing supports joint health and can ward off joint-related maladies.

Piano Lessons Give Your Memory a Boost

Are you forgetful? Do you frequently feel scattered or have difficulty paying attention? Piano lessons may be just what you're looking for to help train your brain.

Researchers have found that musical training helps improve the brain's ability to adapt and helps it make connections and recognize patterns that are important for learning. This effect of music lessons can help improve your memory and attention span, as well as increase your language skills. Researchers compare music instruction for the brain to exercise for the body – it helps promote fitness.

Piano Lessons As an Adult Are Fun

Children often don't choose to take piano lessons themselves – instead, parents choose the instrument and the lessons for them. There are good reasons why parents do that – after all, there are many benefits of musical instruction for children, and parents want their children to reap those benefits. But that doesn't change the fact that being forced to learn an instrument when you'd rather be doing something else isn't much fun. If you took piano lessons as a child and remember disliking them, it's probably because you didn't have a choice.

However, as an adult, it's your choice to take piano lessons. You'll go into it with a much more positive outlook because you're spending your time the way that you want to spend it. You won't have to contend with anyone's expectations for your lessons other than your own. It's fine to decide that you're taking the lessons just for fun, or that you're only interested in achieving a certain level of proficiency. When you get to choose the parameters of your musical instruction, you'll get a lot more enjoyment out of it.

Piano lessons are definitely not just for children, and there are great music teachers in your area that would be happy to take on an adult student. Check into piano lessons in your area and make music a fun and healthy part of your life. 

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