When I first started learning complex pieces, I noticed how my memory and focus improved. Playing the piano requires us to memorize notes, scales, and rhythms, which I’ve noticed strengthen both short-term and long-term memory. One of my older students mentioned how, after weeks of practice, she felt that her concentration at work had improved dramatically – something she attributed to spending more time at the piano.

From my own experience, performing live requires intense coordination between the hands, eyes, and ears—engaging motor, auditory and visual parts of the brain simultaneously. I’ve had students tell me how they felt sharper mentally after our lessons, possibly because playing the piano activates various neural pathways. By the way, playing the piano is also said to often help in delaying cognitive decline in older adults.

Coordinating both hands while reading music has often seemed to me like rubbing the tummy and patting the head simultaneously – curiously difficult for something so apparently easy. In my teaching, I often guide students through this challenge, whether it’s breaking down hand movements or analysing a complex piece – adding fingering, working out transitions from one section to another etc. It is widely thought that this process helps us with multitasking on demanding jobs.

2. Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Reduces Stress and Anxiety:

For me, playing the piano has always been a form of meditation. When I get home from a hard day/week’s work, often I sit down immediately at the piano (after greeting the wife and cat, obviously) and let the music just flow through me. Many of my students, especially busy professionals, have shared similar sentiments—how the simple act of playing even a few chords helps them unwind and forget about their day’s stresses. The focus it requires creates a mental escape, calming the mind.

Enhances Emotional Expression:

Music is often called the language of emotions, and I’ve found this to be true time and again—whether performing on stage, playing with friends or in the comfort of my home. My wife will tell you that occasionally a particular piece will cause me to break down in tears (Rachmaninov, Debussy and Schumann are three of the culprits). I believe that music expresses some of the deepest emotions that humans are unable to put into words and many of the composers we fall in love with are masters at harnessing this.

Boosts Confidence and Achievement:

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment after mastering a difficult piece. I’ve seen this in my own performances, but also in my students, many of whom started their piano journey later in life. I remember one adult student who played at her first recital, overcoming stage fright and surprising herself with what she was capable of. The look of pride on her face was unforgettable and other students who were at the recital commented on how beautifully she played.

Encourages Discipline and Patience:

Learning the piano has been one of my greatest lessons in patience. It requires consistent effort and practice, but the rewards are immense. Many of my adult students, particularly those who came in with no musical background, often remark how the discipline they’ve developed in learning the piano spills over into other areas of their lives.

3. Physical Benefits

Improves Fine Motor Skills:

Through years of playing, I’ve personally experienced how piano playing sharpens the fine motor skills. Teaching students of all ages, I’ve noticed how this improvement is particularly significant in older adults, keeping their hands nimble and flexible. I recall one older student who initially struggled with finger movements, but after consistent guidance from me in more natural ways of playing, applying aspects of Alexander Technique that we worked through together and through her own practice, she was amazed at how fluid her playing became.

Enhances Finger Dexterity and Flexibility:

When I practice regularly, I notice a remarkable difference in the agility and strength of my fingers. As a sufferer of osteo-arthritis, I’m particularly prone to aches and pains and stiffness in the joints of my fingers and thumbs. I do notice that consistent piano practice has kept my hands, fingers and thumbs more supple, even though sadly nothing can stop the pain caused by this dibilatating disease.

Promotes Hand-Eye Coordination:

It’s fascinating to see the progress people make in hand-eye coordination whilst playing the piano, especially when they apply it to reading music whilst playing. Most of my students struggle with this at first, but over time through gaining confidence and with consistent practice, they become much more proficient, subconsciously syncing their hand movements with the sheet music in front of them without realising it.

4. Social Benefits

Encourages Social Interaction:

Most of my fondest and enduring musical memories come from group performances, whether playing live on tour, in string sections in orchestras, or with smaller groups in smaller venues. After all, music ultimately is a form of social communication! Once or twice a year I hold a recital for my students and these are a lovely way for them to share their individual experiences of learning and conquering difficult pieces, deepening their social connection and supporting each other as each one overcomes performance anxiety in a safe environment.

Expands Cultural Appreciation:

The piano has introduced me and many of my students to a world of almost infinitely diverse musical genres. From classical pieces through jazz improvisation to modern pop, each genre offers a glimpse into different cultures and histories. I love watching students’ eyes light up when they discover a new style they’ve never heard before—it opens a whole new world of cultural appreciation.

5. Lifelong Learning

Fosters a Growth Mindset

My journey with the piano has taught me that it’s never too late to learn something new, and I’ve seen this lesson resonate again and again with my adult students. More than one student has shared how learning the piano has made them feel like a lifelong learner again, igniting a passion for growth and self-improvement.

Keeps the Mind Active:

I do feel that regularly challenging myself with new pieces has kept my mind sharp (although you’d better confirm with my friends and family whether or not this is true LOL) and I’ve seen this effect in students of all ages. Whether we’re just starting out or memorising long pieces and refining advanced techniques, the mental stimulation that comes with learning music is unmistakable when you talk to a wide cross-section of musicians.

Learning the piano is a deeply enriching experience, one that combines cognitive stimulation, emotional expression, and physical development. Whether I’m practicing for a live performance, rehearsing a band for tours or guiding a student through their first piece, I’m constantly reminded of the profound impact piano and music in general has on every aspect of life. It’s never too late to start, and the journey is always rewarding!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gordon Hulbert is a piano/music teacher with a formal classical training at the RCM and LCM and nearly 40 years experience as a musical director and side man with multiple-grammy-winning artists in the pop, rock, soul, light classical, world and electronic arenas. His alter-ego as a composer/producer across multiple genres has produced an impressive body of work – with credits on international TV and feature film soundtracks and on commercial releases in the 90s and noughties by some of Europe’s biggest DJs. He is one of the longest standing members of Heatwave, is musical director for Alison Limerick’s various live projects and plays very selectively around the UK and Europe with his two projects Algorisms and Eat Logic, of which Alison is also a member. With a recording and piano teaching studio based in Notting Hill, London, Gordon moved to the south coast in 2021, where he now lives with his wife and their Norwegian Forest cat.

Gordon’s ‘West London Piano Teacher’ website: http://westlondonpianoteacher.com
Gordon’s ‘London Music Producer’ website: https://londonmusicproducer.com
Algorisms – acoustic jazz with a modern sensibility: http://algorisms.co.uk
Eat Logic – electro-acoustic cross-genre project, informed by jazz, soul, house, drum & bass etc: http://eatlogic.co.uk