This August, it rained and rained for a month. Not just sprinkles, but torrential downpour. Yikes. There is nothing to do after a while inside the apartment. I normally do not play piano a whole lot when I am busy, but during days like this, I am grateful to have a piano. As I put on my earphones and learned to play a new Bach song, I am just filled with amazement and appreciation. Bach is such a talented composer! I don't know how he does it, his notes were simple, but the way he put them together and the elegance of it, there is no other composer like him! It was like life somehow, difficult and full of suffering, but yet in the midst of it, there is beauty. What a gift music is!
How did my music journey begin? For as long as I could remember, there had always been a piano in our home. Like many parents, they wanted me to learn to play piano because it was "good for me". It may have been Mom's dream to learn piano, but she never got to do it growing up poor. Anyway, so piano lessons were arranged for me early on. I didn't have a choice, I had to go to the lessons. I think my first teacher was a pianist from Dad's choir. Dad sang in a choir that his best friend directed. There was a talented pianist that accompany the choir. But did you know that not all talented people are good teachers? Anyway, I took lessons for a bit, but it got boring. I wondered, "What's the use of reading these notes and playing them correctly? What's the big deal about that?"
I remembered the most terrifying thing for me was that at the most unexpected times, (often when there were guests that came,) my dad would asked me to play a song. I wasn't ready and didn't want to plus I was very shy in nature. So they would pushed me out there, I was scared to death and often played terribly. Yet, my crazy dad kept doing that, hoping that maybe one day, I'd get used to playing for a crowd and maybe wow his friends. Dad loved the crowds and he was a natural public speaker. He was a different person when he performed, it was like he shined. But I wasn't like him. I didn't like playing for people. I never liked to be the focus of their attention. I am still terrified of crowds. I felt self-conscious and judged. I just wanted to duck under the table and curl up in a fetal position. I don't know how long it too for Dad to realize that I was no Mozart.
The frustration of learning piano went on for sometime. I was forced to practice on top of my heavy load of homework in school. Clearly, I was not progressing and wasting their money and time on the lessons. I don't know why it didn't become obvious to them. And I was too afraid to speak up and shatter Mom's dream. Then came one day, when my parents finally realized they were wasting all the lessons, and asked if I was actually interested in playing piano. Finally, all the bitterness poured out from me, and I said with great gusto, "If you can find me an ax, I would like to chop up this entire piano into pieces." My parents realized it was time to stop the piano lessons.
We immigrated to the United States when I was 14. It was hard to lose all my friends and start over in another country. I was depressed for almost 5 years. During this time, we met my second piano teacher, a beautiful older woman, Mrs. Cheng, who was married to our music director. She clearly loved music and was a piano virtuoso herself. She not only loved music, she was a great teacher. She took a liking to me and was willing to teach me. Perhaps she thought I could serve in the small church that I belonged to as a much needed church pianist. However, there were many basic techniques that needed to be corrected, so the first 3 years or so, she spent patiently correcting my fingering techniques. My fingers didn't lift high enough so my notes turned out blurred and unclear. She was strict but never mean. I did have to play a song over and over again until I got what she was trying to teach me. In the beginning of playing a new song, it was pure torture and sounded horrible. But as I practiced and practiced, it began to sound better. Then lastly, she taught me how to put in my feelings and express it through the song. This was my favorite part. It was like a dead song coming alive or awaken from sleep. I didn't know that this was what music was about. I played piano with great passion during my college years. I'd practice early before going to classes sometimes. No matter how busy, I'd find time to practice. Sometimes in between classes, I would go to the music department and find a practice room. I still didn't like playing much in front of people but I enjoyed playing it myself. It was therapeutic and stress relieving in my crazy busy college years.
As I got married and had kids, I put all my focus on my four kids and homeschooling. Needless to say, piano became less of a priority. I didn't play a whole lot anymore, and the church we attended had little need for a traditional pianist. However, I did teach all my kids the basics of piano for I believe music education is important for children, especially in their younger years. There is nothing quite like it that stimulate hearing, hand-eye coordination and thinking. I am glad that my kids all got free music lessons out of me. Life was quite busy those years, so my love for piano was put on the back burner.
Then in Dec 2023, when I first moved to Taiwan, interestingly, I happened to attend a Christmas church luncheon and I sat at a certain table with strange faces for I didn't know anyone at that time. The church admin was among one of those people I sat with. In a casual conversation, she learned that I used to play piano. She immediately started thanking and praising the Father, for she was looking for someone to play for the church at that time. I was terrified.... it had been so long probably 30 years since I last played at church and I still am not that sure how I feel about performing or playing for others. In fact, I didn't even own a piano at that time. She said I could start by coming to the church to practice. Which I did for a while. Then the Lord provided an electronic piano that fit our small apartment, and I had been able to practice in the comfort of my home since.
Well, after some practice, I started to serve at Yancheng church Sundays and Wednesdays. I never in my life imagine that I would be playing for the church again. It was definitely not in my plan, but God's ways are higher than mine. Because of my busy Sunday schedules lately, I reduced to only playing for the Wednesday services. I knew I was not the best at piano, so I really struggled to play for others, but I was open to do it if it were part of God's plan for me to serve Him.
Well, I am a practical person and most of the time overly efficient. After moving here, I found a whole nation of people like me. Honestly, I find that practicing piano or any instrument kind of feels like a waste of time. Maybe I sat down and played and practice on an old song or learn a new song. It seemed like I am accomplishing nothing. Some songs are hard to play, and practicing it may not even be enjoyable. If I had some things I needed to get done, it's hard to put them aside and make time to sit down to play. It's one of those rare things I do that accomplished nothing, so practicing was never a priority. But really, is playing an instrument really doing nothing for me?
It turns out I was wrong. It does a whole lot for me. Did you know?
Playing a musical instrument improves brain function, boosts memory, and reduces stress. It benefits in these areas:
Brain and Cognitive Power
Full-brain workout:
Playing engages your visual, auditory, and motor systems at the same time.
Better memory: Reading notes and remembering songs strengthens both short- and long-term memory.
Sharper focus: It builds executive function, which helps you plan, solve problems, and pay attention.
Physical and Motor Skills
Hand-eye coordination: Translating written notes into physical finger movements improves dexterity.
Fine motor control: Regular practice trains small muscles in your hands and fingers for precise movements.
Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Stress relief: Making music lowers stress hormones like cortisol and releases feel-good dopamine.
Patience and discipline: Mastering a hard piece teaches you how to reach goals through steady practice.
Confidence boost: Performing for others or nailing a tough song builds personal self-esteem.
I always knew that playing an instrument is super important and good for a child, that's why I make all my kids learn to play. But I was surprised that it is also good for adults too. Because of adult brain's neuroplasticity—its ability to adapt and rewire itself—picking up an instrument later in life offers profound cognitive, mental, and physical benefits. There are lots of studies done, but I won't bore you with all of them. I am just glad that one study showed that regular practice helps lower the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's by strengthening neural pathways. I think that reason alone is worth the 30 min practice time a day, don't you think?
Add comment
Comments