Surprising Effect of Using Cursive Writing to Better Learn Piano

August 9, 2021 Leslie Young

Off

Very simply, the more the two hemispheres of the brain connect, the better the person performs any particular task. Cross-brain, cross-body, cross-lateral physical activities – all these activities lead to higher, faster, better performance of tasks that require thinking and/or physical motion. This for sure includes actions to better learn piano.

When the brain coordinates the opposite sides of the body to work together, a more effective and powerful learning takes place. These activities strengthen the bridge between the right and left hemispheres in the brain, allowing electrical impulses and information to pass more freely between the two regions. This enhances physical coordination, as well as cognitive actions when students learn a language, focus in reading, and learn piano.

However, in the classroom, technology is king. There’s less time in the day for cross-brain activities, so they are often dropped. The cursive writing lesson is one example. This makes no sense to me. Everyone needs to be able to read and write cursive. If cursive is not understood, there will be multiple occasions encountered when it will be needed but seem like a foreign language.

I personally believe it is backward-thinking foolishness to substitute anything other than a cursive signature to represent a person on an official document or other means of identification. Some argue that a “wet” signature (hand produced and not electronically typed) could be used as a valid signature – even the name in printed letters or shown as a symbol (like a happy face!). If that does not seem absurd to you, consider how easy it would be to duplicate such a thing for illegal purposes. That’s like reverting to the era of signing with an “x” – and that is NOT progress.

Take this as an example: When Jack Lew was appointed as Secretary of Treasury in 2013, his signature was such a scrawling mess that it was a national embarrassment. Sometimes knowing how to write in cursive legibly is vital.

When writing in cursive, the brain develops the specialized function that uses both movement control, thinking, and sensation. Fine motor control is needed for the fingers. Both sides of the brain are in action together, and this is important for cognitive development. Researchers have also shown that students who learn cursive rather than simply manuscript writing score better on reading and spelling tests, perhaps because the linked-up cursive forces writers to think of words as wholes instead of parts.

The benefits to brain development are similar to what is achieved when students learn piano. Unfortunately for students, many and perhaps most school systems place supreme importance on testing knowledge at the expense of educating children in ways to better acquire knowledge.

How Does Cursive Writing Help Students Learn Piano?

Cursive writing uses both hemispheres of the brain just as the task to learn piano. Strengthening the interaction between both regions improves and enhances any cross-brain activity.

How Do Students Who Learn Piano Improve in Other Subjects?

Music research indicates that music education benefits students by increasing self-expression, cognitive abilities, language development, and agility.
Music is unique in its ability to affect more than a single brain hemisphere, incorporating both the right and left sides of the brain. Physically playing music on an instrument is like a full-body workout for the brain.
While music listening has marked benefits regarding physiological effects of stress, playing an instrument or taking vocal lessons offers a marked increase in the benefits of music education, especially in regards to memory, language, and cognitive development.https://funmusicco.com/how-does-music-stimulate-left-and-right-brain-function-and-why-is-this-important-in-music-teaching/

When Playing Hands Together and the Brain Stalls . . .

Every student will have moments when the brain stalls and the clefs are reversed in the brain. Doing any two things simultaneously can be tricky. The teacher should remind the student that two languages are being played at the same time. When stalling occurs, have the student choose one hand first, identify the letter name and locate the correct key, and then repeat the thinking process with the other hand, and only afterwards play hands together. I think it helps when following this remedy to always start with the same hand each time. I vote for the right hand since the treble was learned first.

Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students

She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”

Leslie believe that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.

What Would the First Lesson for a Young Student Look Like?

What Would the First Lesson for a 6 to Teen Look Like (video)?