How piano builds more than just musical skill
Emotional Intelligence is the art of possessing awareness, regulation, true empathy, and proper social skills. According to an article published on nwnoggin.org, “Children ranging from ages 4 to 5 were found to score higher when measured for empathy and extraversion, and they scored higher on their level of communication if they started group music lessons under the age of 1 years old versus those who started a few months later. This suggests that teaching even the youngest of minds about the art of music while amongst peers, acts to socialize them in a way that would make them more successful in their current and future relationships.” The connection between music education and emotional development cannot be denied. Here are 5 practical, research-backed ways that piano lessons help kids grow emotionally:
1. Music helps students process their own emotions.
A large part of emotional intelligence is being able to process and express your own emotions. Playing music helps children both identify and process their feelings. Music has a way of saying what you feel without words. According to percussionplay.com, “Improvising with music can also help children express and connect with their emotions, whether they are happy, sad, scared, or angry. Musical instruments can act as ‘gates’ for their emotions, enabling them to express themselves in a safe and appropriate manner.” When students are stressed, they can play a calming song, and when they are angry, they can play loudly, etc.
2. Music strengthens patience and self-regulation
Learning piano teaches delayed gratification through making mistakes and putting in the work to fix them. Students don’t always see immediate results because there is a process to learning music. This also teaches patience and self-control. Practicing regularly cultivates emotional discipline. Through regular piano lessons, students learn to work through frustrations and celebrate progress.
3. Music encourages empathy through interpretation
There are so many songs in the world that explain millions of different stories and emotions. When students play pieces with different moods, they come to understand what the composer was feeling. This helps them to understand others’ emotions. When playing songs, it’s important to honor the composer’s intentions. This helps build sensitivity and empathy in them. When students are able to listen to another perform (such as one of our two yearly recitals), their listening and response skills are deepened. There is also the shared experience of being bave and pushing through nervousness during recitals.
4. Music develops confidence, not ego
Speaking of recitals, when students perform, their confidence is bolstered. However, the confidence is grounded in effort, not perfection. Students will inevitably make mistakes, even during recitals, however, I always remind them that doing their best is the metric, not playing their songs perfectly. Piano lessons provide an encouraging environment where kids can take risks, make mistakes, and figure out how to fix them. Their confidence is grown through consistent effort, not instant results.
5. Music strengthens communication and connection
The teacher-student relationship itself models empathy and encouragement. After a student has played their song, I offer words of encouragement and specific praise first. Only after that, do I offer and model ways it can improve. Another way that music strengthens communication and connection is through duets and recitals. During these, students learn to listen, reflect, and collaborate. Music helps children connect with peers, parents, and themselves.
Piano lessons support emotional intelligence through encouraging emotional expression and processing, strengthening patience and self-regulation, cultivating empathy, developing confidence, and helping communication and connection. Piano lessons build skills for life that reach far beyond the bench. Students learn so much more than Bach and Beethoven. They build life skills that last a lifetime. Want to help your child grow in confidence, focus, and emotional strength? Comment “YES” to learn more about our creative piano lessons at Morse Music Academy.
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