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You might be older, but your brain is built for constant growth
Did you know 90% of brain development happens before age 5? Thanks to brain plasticity, or the ability to adapt in structure, children are able to form basic human functions, learn social behavior, and more at a rapid rate.
It’s true that neuroplasticity becomes less potent as we age, but it doesn’t go away completely. In fact, exercising your brain as an adult can improve brain malleability, create new neural connections, and improve cognitive function.
Learning to play piano involves fine motor training, making it a harder brain exercise than, say, playing sudoku, but the rewards are much greater! Here are just a few of the mental health, learning and memory, and physical health benefits of playing piano or keyboard:
You call the shots
Whatever your personal motivation is for wanting to play, it's a heck of a lot more powerful than "my mom's making me."
Your options today > your options 50 years ago
Option A: Traditional sheet music. Most of us are tough from a young age that if we want to play music, we have to read this complicated, two-line music notation.
Option B: Lead sheet. Only containing one line of music notation and chord symbols, professionals prefer to use this straightforward notation to play gigs and record.
What's next
Additional resources