Children get a sense of rhythm at a very young age. We encourage them when they are toddlers by arranging several upturned saucepans around them as a makeshift drum kit on which they can bash out some sounds with a wooden spoon. Soon enough that time passes and they have a desire to move onto bigger and better things.
Many teenagers turn to the electric guitar because it is the ultimate rock accessory. Those who can play well will attract members of the opposite sex too, so I suspect it isn’t all about the music. I think that parents should encourage their children to play the keyboard when they are young. Get them a nice keyboard and explore a few piano benches in order to find the perfect one to go with it. Some will have a natural flare for it, and we have a duty to nurture their talent. Some would say that it is an easy instrument to play, but it is a difficult one to master, in my opinion.
Here are the incredible benefits of piano lessons for your child, as I see them.
Concentration
You cannot play the piano well without concentrating on the job in hand. Many kids have problems focusing their minds on one subject, and playing the piano is a fantastic mental exercise. It is an instrument where their left hand is playing a different part of the tune than their right hand. That takes an incredible level of discipline and hard work before it starts to come naturally.
Reading Music
If they can read music for a Markson’s piano, they can read it for most other instruments too. Indeed, with a piano they must read two or more lines at the same time. There aren’t many other instruments that demand so much from the player. I spoke about the left and right hand doing different things in the last paragraph; the child will have to read the music for them. That is no easy feat in the early days. Many of the great piano players can’t pick up a sheet of music and play it without some practice; such is the enormity of the task.
Dexterity
Your child will learn to become dexterous and precise in their movements to hit the right notes every time. That may not be easy in the early days, but as their hands grow, they will be able to play ever more complicated music. Piano players can spread their fingers wider than an ordinary person thanks to years of practice.
Status
If your child has a natural ability and talent, he or she may qualify for a prestigious university when the time comes. There they can study music with others who share their passion.
Career
A maestro will enjoy a lifelong career playing the piano. Whether it is by giving individual concerts or playing as part of a world class orchestra, the most talented players will never be short of work. Can you call something you have a passion for work? It is a position of envy.
As long as you don’t push your child too hard to succeed, there are few downsides to playing the piano. Though you should encourage them, it should always be a pleasure and never a chore. A child who never tries to play misses out, so book a piano lesson for yours today; it could be the first step towards an exciting future.