The science behind the art of piano playing

A world without music would be almost unimaginable today – a world without the piano just as much. The piano has accompanied us for centuries and has shaped many musical milestones in history.

seems to play hardly any role in modern music amidst synthetic rhythms and electric guitars

Because piano playing is a very special art form, as even science now recognizes. It is therefore worthwhile to take a closer look at the piano and the question of what makes this instrument so special.

A tradition thousands of years old

The piano is a classic keyboard instrument, and accordingly, its predecessors already existed in the 3rd century BC. Looking even further back, one can find so-called stringed instruments among ancient peoples, musical instruments that are now considered the basic building blocks of chordophones.

It is therefore an instrument with a long tradition – even if the piano in its current form only developed from the year 1350 onwards.

At that time, the technique of the wire-drawing mechanism using hydraulic power was invented, which serves as the basis for the instruments zither, harpsichord, and piano. This technology continued to develop over centuries until, in 1709 , the first piano with a hammer mechanism was built in Florence

This is therefore often referred to as the birth year of the piano. Around 50 years later, the new instrument had become widespread and fundamentally changed music.

Many great names in music history began their careers with the piano, including Ludwig van Beethoven and Mozart, who was considered a child prodigy at the keys. A new art form was born.

The piano from a scientific perspective

Even today, many musicians begin their careers with piano lessons, often in early childhood. around eight million pianos in Germany alone – and the number is rising. After all, 60 percent of people in developed countries say they would like to be able to play the piano, and thanks to the internet, there are more and more self-taught musicians.

Often, the piano has been in the family for generations and represents a priceless heirloom. But this isn't the only reason why so many people continue to learn the piano. Science has also recognized that this art form offers numerous benefits. These positive effects on the brain and overall well-being are certainly another reason for the instrument's enduring popularity

a) Playing the piano creates the “Mozart effect”

Learning something new creates new synapses in the brain and is therefore always good training for staying mentally fit well into old age. Playing the piano is said to be particularly effective in this regard, as the so-called "Mozart effect" suggests. As already mentioned, Mozart was considered a true child prodigy at the piano and created numerous world-famous works.

Since the 1990s, the theory has circulated that people become more intelligent simply by listening to these pieces. Just ten minutes, for example, are said to be enough to improve spatial reasoning. While the theory remains controversial, it is a fact that playing the piano positively alters the brain. By forming new synapses, it improves concentration and is also said to optimize language skills.

b) The emotional level of piano art

Playing the piano has an effect not only on the intellectual but also on an emotional level. It helps to reduce stress, partly due to the sound of the music and partly likely due to the mental switch-off, as one's concentration is entirely on the keys. Thus, the art of playing the piano helps to alleviate anxieties and worries and instead find inner peace.

While exercise is of course also important for health, playing the piano can have the same stress-reducing effect on the body as a workout. It is therefore hobby to complement sports activities and provide a balance to work, obligations, and other commitments.

c) More coordination (not just) for the hands

Anyone who plays the piano knows how demanding the coordination is. The hands, even individual fingers, must execute different movements in perfect time. A pianist therefore needs maximum control over their hands, which requires training their coordination – and this in turn promotes the formation of synapses in the brain.

At the same time, it's essential to listen to the music, keep the rhythm, decipher the notes, and immediately translate them into corresponding actions on the keyboard. Playing the piano thus promotes coordination in many ways, which is one of the reasons why it is an art in its own right.

d) Perseverance and discipline: two classic virtues,…

…which are still considered important success factors in life, are fostered in a unique way through piano playing. After all, not even Mozart became a child prodigy overnight. Instead, a great deal of practice is essential, and over a long period of time, to become a virtuoso at the keyboard. Children, in particular, can therefore learn a significant life lesson through piano lessons.

Those who take on this complex challenge and experience success are more likely to demonstrate greater perseverance and discipline in other areas of life. This can greater success in professional life , other hobbies , or even in private life, and thus it can certainly be said that playing the piano can make you more successful.

e) Improved language and reading skills

As previously described, the art of playing the piano is far more complex than simply pressing keys. Instead, it involves learning a new language: the language of notes, clefs, chords, rhythms , and so on. Anyone who later wants to play complex scores is faced with a completely new world that they must first explore.

Only with the necessary knowledge and a great deal of practice can a pianist eventually teach themselves new pieces, ideally in a timely manner, that is, directly while playing. This requires a high degree of reading comprehension and fosters the understanding of new languages ​​– be they musical or classical foreign languages.

It is therefore not surprising that children who have mastered the piano have an advantage over their peers, especially in reading skills.

Many of them do indeed have better grades in school, and therefore the claim that playing the piano makes you smarter has some merit. However, other factors, such as support from home, can also play a role. This is another reason why studies on the topic are controversial.

No one is too old for the art of piano playing

Ultimately, it's irrelevant whether playing the piano makes you smarter. The fact is: it's an art form that is as fascinating as it is beneficial, on both an intellectual and an emotional level. Therefore, everyone can only benefit from learning it and pursuing it as a hobby – or even embarking on a professional career as a pianist.

The art of playing the piano offers endless musical possibilities – from classical works by great names like Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, Vivaldi, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, or Debussy, to blues and jazz, and even modern pieces. Everyone can play what they like, and boredom is never an issue.

Piano playing is often combined with singing, and those who wish can compose their own pieces. Ultimately, however, the piano is simply an indispensable part of music history and therefore an art form that should be cultivated to prevent it from dying out.

There are therefore many compelling reasons to learn to play the piano, regardless of age. Not only children, but also adults and even seniors can benefit from the advantages mentioned . Furthermore, there is now a wide selection of pianos available, from impressive grand pianos to space-saving digital pianos, so everyone can find a place for one in their own home.

And those who approach the matter correctly can even find a high-quality piano at a low price with a used model.

This gives everyone the chance to become part of this unique history of piano artistry and discover a musical and creative hobby. Even though music is becoming increasingly electronic these days, the simple combination of piano playing and singing remains incredibly popular. One thing seems certain:

The piano will continue to shape music as an art form in the future!

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www.kunstplaza.de