Learning Piano Can Change Your Life!

Are you looking for positive ways to improve your future? You could join a gym or improve your diet. However, there’s something else that’s been proven to transform your life. The piano. Yes really, this musical instrument has been used for hundreds of years as a tool to create music, write songs and perform melodies. But studies show that it can also improve your health, relieve stress and teach loads of important new skills too. Want to find out what they are? Read on!

Practising the keyboard

Improve your hearing

Yes, that’s right. Studies have shown that musicians who play the piano don’t experience aging in the auditory cortex – the part of the brain that’s responsible for hearing. While other instruments – like the guitar and drums – might damage your ears over time, the piano can reverse aging in the brain and be good for your hearing! It’s easy to play the piano – all you need is a good tutor and the will to succeed.These days many people choose to take an online piano course to learn at their own pace. Think the piano is only associated with classical music? Think again! Contemporary songwriter/pianists like Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, and Elton John have made the piano cool again. This instrument enables you to convey your emotions and creativity through music, learn basic music theory, master chord progression, and perform unique melodies that will impress your friends and family.

Become smarter

Learning a musical instrument could help you become brainier – a skill you can use at school or in the workplace to change your life. Studies have shown that high school students who took part in musical lessons on a regular basis did better on exams in a wide range of subjects, including languages, science, and math. A separate study from the University of Zurich found that playing an instrument like the piano could improve your IQ by seven points. The piano can be a relaxing pastime and improve your wellbeing too. Research suggests that learning the piano can help to relieve stress and anxiety, and even curb depression when you take lessons on a regular basis. So, what are you waiting for? If you want to improve your wellbeing – and become smarter in the process – learn the piano!

Train your brain

Want to know how an athlete wins an Olympic medal? They choose a coach they can respect and learn from and then practice and practice some more! Learning the piano is the same. It takes a certain type of person – someone  who has the desire to succeed and correct guidance – to master this instrument. However, the payoff is tremendous. Once you’ve learnt the piano, you will most likely find you become a more creative person. Able to express yourself  on the keyboard through various musical genres and styles. Prevoiusly,many people have gave up on their “old school” traditional piano training, because they felt their tutors were stuffy and demanding. Today, things have changed for the better, it’s now increasingly popular to choose to learn keyboard online at home. There are many benefits of learning how to play. Studies have shown that learning the piano can also train your brain and teach you important skills. You will develop discipline and coordination skills – and even improve your memory as you learn the piano. These can be extremely beneficial in many areas of life and could even improve your career prospects. Once you have chosen an effective learn piano online course, keep at it. Within just a short period of time you will begin to see the benefits!

Want To Play an Instrument?…..The Top 4 To Consider

Have you ever asked yourself, “Which musical instrument should I choose to learn?” You’ve come to the right place. If you’re struggling to decide between the piano and the electric guitar, or the drums and violin, this guide will make it easier for you.

Learning how to play a musical instrument

1. Guitar

Learn this instrument if you want to: improve your IQ, learn discipline and patience, become a rock star.

From Jimmy Page to Keith Richards, the guitar is synonymous with rock star glamour. Not all guitars are the same; choose from the steel blues guitar, bass guitar, acoustic or electric guitar. A study from the University of Zurich claims that you can increase your IQ by seven points when you learn a musical instrument like the guitar, improve your memory and learn important skills – like discipline and patience – in the process. It’s a lot easier than you think – a guitar teacher can teach you how to master this instrument in group sessions or one-on-one. Learn tabs, frets, chord progression, strumming techniques and basic music theory when you master the guitar!

 

2. Violin

Learn this instrument if you want to: become a better team player, learn hand-to-eye coordination skills, improve perseverance

The violin is back in fashion – and is one of the best instruments out there if you want to play in a band or impress your friends. Playing the violin can help you become a better team player, especially as you will need to work with a group of people if you want to be part of an orchestra. This instrument has a unique sound that sounds great on record and in a live setting. Even better, it can teach you skills like perseverance. You might not pick it up straight away but over time, you will learn hand-to-eye coordination skills – making you a more proficient player.

 

Woman practising her piano chords

3. Piano

Learn this instrument if you want to: learn more about culture, improve concentration

I have to confess this is my personal favorite, piano is one of the best instruments to learn for many reasons. If you’d like to expand your horizons and explore other cultures, then the piano is steeped in history and tradition that dates back hundreds of years. When you learn music theory for that culture, you’ll soon realize that every note has a story and background, and you will be able to create emotional pieces of music in various genres, such as classical, opera, and pop. Learning the piano can improve your concentration too. You’ll acquire new skills like pitch, rhythm, and tempo and discover how to play in harmony with other members of your band.

 

4. Drums

Learn this instrument if you want to: learn a musical instrument quickly, relieve stress

Learning the drums comes with multiple benefits. Studies show that the drums are among the easiest instruments to learn, and you could improve your skills in just a few weeks when you enlist the services of a music teacher. Become the next Ringo Star when you learn the drums. This instrument is brash, loud and expressive – and can be a great stress reliever too! Playing the drums has shown to improve depression and anxiety and could have a powerful effect on your state of mind and well-being!

Become A Songwriter

While not everyone will become an accomplished songwriter. The most famous lyricists and composers in history – from Lennon and McCartney to Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice – had a unique quality for conveying emotion in their words and making their lyrics or music relatable to a mass audience. It’s also an interesting aside to note that all four of these artists chose to test their new compositions on the piano as they wrote them. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I be a songwriter?” you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a checklist of everything you need to know before you take the plunge.


Are you good at writing lyrics?

To become a professional songwriter, you will need to be able to convey emotion, feelings and issues through your music and lyrics. You don’t need to be good with grammar or have an extensive vocabulary to succeed. Some of the most popular songs in history have included simple words, sharp hooks and recognizable refrains that have connected with the public because of their simplicity. Start by keeping a songwriting journal where you can scribble your innermost thoughts and feelings. These might be the foundations for your first song or just a way for you to express your creativity. If you’re a person who feels passionate about many issues, you’ll be perfect for songwriting. Start by writing your first composition and see where you go from there. You might not be perfect right away, but over time you’ll be able to improve your songwriting skills.

 

Understanding the structure of a song

This one all depends on the type of musical genre you are interested in. However, as a general rule, pop, rock, soul, jazz, and R’n’B songs all share a similar structure. You will usually need to write lyrics and melodies for two or three verses, a middle-eight or bridge, and, of course, arguably the most important part of any song, a catchy chorus. Use your journal to experiment with different ideas for your composition and come up with some words that will suit your chorus. It doesn’t matter if you can’t think of any straight away – they should come to you over time. Develop a concept and a theme and the rest should fall into place. You can then play around with different words to make the song flow better.

Be a team player

If you want to be a songwriter, you’ll need to be a team player too. There are many people behind some of the songs you hear on the radio. If you are a songwriter who wants to compose songs for other artists, you will need to work with them closely and incorporate their ideas and visions into your songs. You might work with a composer who turns your lyrics into catchy melodies. Then producers will try and mesh different beats and rhythms to your lyrics. Everyone will have different ideas and various viewpoints about your lyrics so you shouldn’t be afraid to collaborate with a team. You will need to be disciplined, patient and be able to work with various people if you want to succeed in songwriting, but if you put the effort in, you’ll make it in the end.

Songwriters – Why Are They So Influential?

 Whether it’s soul, pop, opera, or rock, music can have a huge influence on our emotions and state of mind. But have you ever wondered why? Research has shown that songwriters have an excellent ability to tap into their listener’s emotional state – something that can have a positive effect on society as a whole. Here are just a few ways songwriters have changed the world.

Composing Music and Songwriting

Helping people express their feelings

Some of the world’s most famous songwriters have created timeless masterpieces that also help others  share their own emotions through that music. Ever noticed how you might be feeling sad or angry and then suddenly feel better when your favorite song comes on the radio? That’s because music is an emotional art form that can convey deep feelings through words, rhythms and melodies. Studies show that humans assimilate their behavior when they hear a particular song or genre. For example, upbeat dance music might put you in a good mood while power ballads or classical music might help you relax. If you’re feeling tired, anxious or stressed, music can be like therapy. It can help you feel comfortable and creative positive feelings.

 

Bringing everyone together

Music is a very personal thing. Everybody loves different styles and artists. However, meeting someone that has the same musical tastes as you can instantly create a rapport whether you are in a personal or business setting. In fact, talking about music is an instant ice-breaker – that’s why you might be asked about your favorite band or genre in a job interview. Sharing the love of music with someone can help you build long-lasting relationships and create a sense of community. This is all down to talented songwriters, who are able to convey strong emotions – like heartbreak, lust or desire – in their lyrics and compositions.

World famous songwriter John Lennon

 Exposing other cultures

The best songwriters are talented storytellers. Who skilfully expose their listeners to new styles, trends, and important causes which they may not become fully aware of otherwise. A very famous example from the 1970’s would be of course John Lennon who shone a spotlight upon the Vietnam War for the entire world. Songwriters and musicians can also be great at introducing audiences to other cultures too. When you listen to music, you can find out more about the songwriter or artist by researching their influences, history, and the political or cultural issues that might have informed their work. This can help to broaden your horizons and teach you more about the world. Salsa music might help you learn more about Latin American culture for example.

 

Creating a positive effect on consciousness

Studies show that when you listen to certain genres of music – like opera and classical – your brain chemistry changes. This can have a positive effect on your body and can help to improve concentration or discipline. Some people like to have classical music on in the background when revising for an exam or doing work as it helps to clear their mind and focus on the job at hand. Songwriters – regardless of the genre of music – can change your brain chemistry with they way they fuse relatable lyrics to rhythms and beats that make you feel so good. Learning to become a good songwriter can be truly rewarding and enjoyable!