I’m so excited to begin teaching your child how to play the piano! But I also want you to realize what an opportunity you are offering your child besides the chance to learn to play the piano!

The following are some interesting benefits that learning music provides:

·  Playing a piano is the only instrument tested that increases spatial-temporal reasoning development. This seems can be attributed to learning rhythms which emphasize proportions, patterns, and fractions.

• Musical art exposure enhances cognitive systems which makes the brain more efficient and effective, promotes creativity, gives students an outlet (stress reliever) and a sense of belonging and it enhances perceptual-motor skills and memory systems.
•  Students with math and music training have better scores in spatial ability and the ability to think ahead because math and music overlap in many brain areas. Another study showed that those students with more music (as opposed to just more math and reading) actually got better at math and reading. They also did just as well as those who only studied more math. Creativity tests show music students with 30 minutes a day for a year had more creativity and were better with long-term memory tests. Those students in the Asian culture who have top math and science scores require music as a major discipline in grades 1-9.  Higher SAT scores (math and verbal) were also found for those students who had four years of music training.

· Another study shows that those who studied music as a major in college were admitted to medical school at a higher rate than those who just studied biochemistry (66% compared to 44%).  Research also shows that music training is far superior to computer instruction when it comes to increasing student’s abstract reasoning skills that are necessary for learning in math and science.

• Music gives students an outlet (stress reliever) and a sense of belonging, gives more self-esteem, and it enhances perceptual-motor skills and memory systems.

· The positive effects from studying music are not just academic and cognitive. Those secondary students who study music show the lowest substance abuse throughout their lifetime.

· Music broadens students’ understanding of the world around them as they are exposed to music from other countries.

• In the workforce later on: Students who are taught music learn to think thoughtfully, to critically examine and refine their thoughts, make more consistent and systematic judgments about music, to integrate musical beliefs, to enhance musical value, and to grow in musical knowledge. All of these areas correspond to the thought processes that are needed for the work force. Self-regulation is also important in the work place. These skills are: setting and monitoring goals, maintaining a healthy sense of self, managing resources, self-management, self-esteem, motivation, and learning to learn. This is done as individually students learn how to practice and manage their time and be effective with their practice time.
•  “Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence, traits that carry over into intellectual pursuits that lead to effective study and work habits.  An association of music and math has, in fact, long been noted. Creating and performing music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification while giving pleasure to others.” –Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Leading Heart Surgeon, Baylor College of Music.