Learn Piano your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Lisa F. - Tampa Piano Teacher

Through years of research, it is a well researched conclusion that studying piano increases intelligence. Everything from higher math and reading scores to increasing IQ's has been studied, put to the test via the scientific method and positively proven. Simply put, students who take music lessons do better in overall school performance. It is also well known that music influences mood. Think about all the emotions you had the last time you watched a movie and experienced the effects of the so-called "background music".

Yet, music has a function that is far greater than positively impacting academic performance or setting the mood. Music can actually be used to change an emotional state from a negative one to a positive one. I have had many experiences witnessing this phenomenon. During the 1990's, I worked in several mental health facilities in Florida that served both inpatient and outpatient populations while also continuing to work as a part-time piano instructor teaching piano lessons in Tampa. My duties included leading both music therapy and psychotherapy individual and group sessions.

Using piano music via patient participation, I was able to help schizophrenic patients comply with taking medication and clinically depressed patients become stable and feel happier even when other traditional therapies failed! Listening to, singing and/or performing sad pieces of music then gradually playing happier music results in changing mood from that of sad to happy. It is amazing to witness and even more awesome to experience such changes in mood.

If playing piano music can be used to help chronically mentally ill patients function at a higher level, imagine the possibilities of what performing music can do for you! Sign up for piano lessons in Tampa today!