Why Should My Child Take Piano Lessons?

Posted on May 17, 2012 in Academic & Health Benefits, Piano Blog | 0 comments

Good question! Why, indeed? After all, piano lessons do cost money, time, and then there is the need to invest in an instrument that is appropriate for a beginning student. Yep, that can be a little bothersome. However, there are certainly many good reasons for why learning to play piano is an important part of a well-rounded education for any child. Believe me, the investment pays off in more ways than you will ever know.

The most important reason has to be that music is enjoyable and adds a great lifetime of pleasure to those who spend the time learning to play any musical instrument, especially the piano which, unlike others, still sounds incredible without other instruments being present. I can personally testify to that! I can’t imagine how much different my life would be if I didn’t play piano.

It is a scientific fact that music enhances learning in other school subjects. There have been a multitude of studies that indicate students taking at least three years of lessons on average achieve higher test scores in math, science, and verbal communication. It also energizes and exercises the creative part of the brain while improving reasoning skills. It has always surprised me how many of my customers over the years are engineers, designers, and doctors.

Piano for kids is highly beneficial for teaching good habits in study, discipline, and self-control. Kids that develop well in these areas are much more likely to succeed in whatever they chose to do in life. They don’t have to become famous concert pianists that fill auditoriums. The fact is, very few will ever achieve that level of success and expertise. Big deal! The fundamentals of learning to play piano and how they extend into everyday life is the most important part.

Can you imagine a world without music? How utterly boring would that be? No Bach, Beethoven, or Beatles? No classical, jazz, rock and roll, or country? Without lessons there would be no music, or at least not much of it. Without music lessons, manufacturers wouldn’t see the need to build musical instruments as there would be no demand. There would be no music instrument stores either. No pianos, guitars, drums, violins, cellos, violas, string basses, trumpets, saxes, tubas, clarinets, etc… You get the drab picture.

I have been in the music retail business since 1989. In all of that time, I’ve never met anyone that wishes they could forget how to play the piano. Not one. On the other hand, by now I must have heard the following statement at least a million times when people learn what I do for a living: “Oh, I wish I had learned to play piano when I was a child.” It is more convenient to start when you are younger as we all have more time to dedicate to practice.  Mind you, as long as you are on the right side of the dirt, you can still take piano lessons. It’s never too late! If you have the desire, why don’t you just do it? We have students well into their 70’s that are taking piano lessons for the first time, and having great fun at the same time.

Did I mention playing the piano is actually a lot of fun? If you need help finding a piano teacher just contact me. We have sources for excellent piano teachers all over the Greater Houston and other surrounding areas.

Houston Piano Company also has many fine pianos available for sell and rent. Pianos for rent in Houston are great for families that want to see how things will work out before committing to purchasing a piano, and they start out at only $35 a month! Parents who are interested in summer programs for kids in Houston can contact us for piano camps here. If you need assistance with getting a piano, just give me a call.

Dave Smith
Piano Consultant
(832) 277-3755

Why Music Education Is Important

Posted on Mar 10, 2012 in Academic & Health Benefits, Piano Blog | 0 comments

According to 2009 U.S. Census data, only about 8 percent of Americans play musical instruments regularly. And did you know “that 85 percent of Americans who don’t currently play an instrument wish they had learned to play one?” – 2009 Gallup Poll

This means roughly 282 million Americans wish they could play an instrument, but never learned how!

Why is music education so important?

Besides music being fun and fulfilling to make, playing music has been scientifically proven to benefit people of all ages. Research has concluded that babies come into the world with natural musical ability and an intense interest in learning music. Young children enjoy singing on their own while they play, and even deaf toddlers often sing independently without being prompted.

Pre-school and elementary school students who play music perform better in school and in life, and teenagers can benefit from music’s social aspects. Music in middle school and high school plays a major role in building acceptance and tolerance for people of different ages and cultural backgrounds. It can become a support system for teens desperately trying to build a personal identity within their community of classmates and peers. Also, the ability to express yourself artistically, or even just relieve some aggression through playing music, can be a positive outlet for youngsters that might otherwise use their energy to act out in less positive ways.

The benefits of playing music extend beyond the school years, and especially the embrace of music as an emotional, artistic outlet allows adults who play an instrument—even if it’s just for fun—to reduce their stress and avoid getting “burnt out” at work. Much more fascinating, seniors who engage regularly in recreational music making can better manage diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and increase their self-esteem.

Playing the piano is a dream for many interested in learning to play music, and Houston Piano Co. is serious about making this dream possible for anyone, regardless of age or musical experience. That is why last year we opened the HPC School of Music across the street from our store and recital hall. In less than a full year of operation, our student body has grown to over 120 students in 15 different classes, and it keeps growing every day!

Studying music directly develops many skills necessary for success in life

Science has proven that piano instruction catalyzes changes in the brain, improving intellectual development and enhancing abstract reasoning skills. Studies show that regardless of race, gender, parental musicality (or lack there of), or environment, everyone is born with inherent musical potential. What better way to provide a positive influence on formation of sensitivity, coordination, and memory growth than by learning how to play the piano? Whether you’re five years old or sixty-five, there’s never a better time than right now to begin learning to play piano!

As an organization that fervently promotes the hobby of piano playing, we have put our money where our hypothetical mouth is, pushing a large amount of resources into building and running our new School of Music. Houston Piano Co. purchased a four unit apartment complex to completely renovate and retrofit into group, and private, teaching rooms. We have spent a large amount of energy over the last year and a half organizing classes for all levels, interviewing/hiring educators, working with RMM experts, and communicating our core belief:

You can learn to play, we guarantee it!

Our group lesson teachers are dedicated and energized about making the learning experience fun and enjoyable. We also have relationships with many great private Houston piano teachers that we recommend. If you are a piano teacher and would like to get to know us, become part of our new Piano Teacher Locator system by following the link below.

Piano Teacher Information

Citations:
wannaplaymusic.com/news

HPC School of Music Holiday Schedule

Posted on Nov 28, 2011 in News & Events | 0 comments