Researchers claim playing a musical instrument improves the brain. New research reveals the shape of the brain is changed by practicing scales, chords and mastering complex patterns of notes. The IQ can be boosted by up to seven points. The importance of scales when learning the piano is a critical key for improved skill. Playing scales is more than just a warm up exercise.

By playing an instrument the region controlling motor skills, memory and hearing becomes enlarged and more active. Our ability to plan, read emotions and being alert gets enhanced. Scientists have discovered that age is no bar to improvement. Seniors can also enjoy a beneficial impact on their mental faculties. In fact, at a stage when mental faculties may be deteriorating it is all the more valuable for them to start some musical activity.

Playing the piano improves the self discipline and attention span of children. Their planning capacity gets better. For everyone, by learning a score, the capacity to accumulate aural information is improved. It also makes pianists more attuned to new languages and the unexpressed emotions of others. The distinctive tonal sound of voices makes sensitive ears decipher feelings more accurately. Hence music brings increased sensitivity which facilitates learning. Reading the emotions of people through their voices makes musicians more sensitive people.

Practicing a scale is vitally important to improving technique. Unfortunately, many students see this practice as a tiresome exercise. Pianists need to understand that practicing with a scale is instrumental to being able to masterfully express the musical vocabulary of their instrument. A better understanding of which keys sound well together is learned by playing these sequential notes. Essentially, a scale is a set of notes that sound well together. There is a rationale to a scale. It is not a random collection of keys. Instead it is a ratio of notes that is played sequentially.

Understanding of basic music theory is strengthened and fingers become accustomed to move a certain way. It becomes easier to play keys that would otherwise be difficult to play. Fingers become used to playing the scale of the key signature of a score. As musical scores typically have a key signature that follows through the piece, fingers become familiar with the pattern this way.

It is in the interest of the beginner to value what can be gained in the process of these exercises. Musical knowledge is absorbed through their basic patterns. Normally, a score will follow a succession of notes. In each melody the scales match the series of keys that form its signature. The succession of notes in each scale provides a signal to be ready for what follows. This makes the process of getting to know an unfamiliar piece simpler to comprehend. Sight reading is also enhanced through this exercise.

If you are of the creative mindset, you will not shirk this aid. From the intrinsic pattern in the notes, one can figure out sets of notes that play well together. Melodies can be derived while working with the basics.

There is more to this exercise than deriving simple pleasure through musical expression. Personal development is enhanced. The left side of the brain associated with verbal memory becomes stronger. Musical expression is also a cross training medium for the brain. This boosts general learning capacity in acquiring new knowledge. There are many reasons to appreciate the importance of scales when learning the piano. Piano lessons in Orange County can assist you in learning these skills.