3 Reasons to Give Your Child Music Lessons

by Ruth Myrick

Why might you want to provide the opportunity for your child(ren) to learn a musical instrument? Different parents have varying motivations. Here we’ll look at the impact it can have on their ability to focus and be productive.

That’s important because much of their day is spent staring at some kind of screen and there are those who fear that this is changing the way they’re able to think—and not for the better. For more on that topic, see Nicolas Carr’s piece in the London Daily Telegraph, “How the internet is making us stupid.”

Being a piano teacher, naturally I am more prepared to tell you the benefits of piano lessons. So here we go: It boils down to 3 C’s — Concentration, Coordination and Confidence.

Reading one line of music, whether playing a simple one-finger melody, or two or three notes one hand at a time…teaches simple to moderate concentration.

Reading two lines of music, playing with both hands, each with a different assignment…teaches a high degree of concentration and coordination.

Reading two lines, using the pedal(s), controlling the volume and speed, with the brain using each muscle a different assignment to perform simultaneously...teaches intense concentration and coordination resulting in confidence.

As one California second-grader put it, “When I perform music, I feel proud.”


Ruth has been inspiring piano students of all ages for over 50 years.  She is currently located in Dallas, TX. For a complete bio and information about her home studio, please visit her website.