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Can Lifelong Learning of Music Increase Longevity?
The short answer is an undeniable yes, the lifelong learning of music can absolutely increase your longevity. In fact, lifelong learning in and of itself is linked to a number of health benefits, including better brain health and memory. Many studies also suggest music can boost your health by reducing stress and lifting your mood, as anyone who’s ever danced to their favorite song in the kitchen can attest.
In this post, we’ll take a brief look at how incorporating music into your lifelong learning journey can help you live a longer, better life and how to get started.
Music & Brain Plasticity
While your brain is not a muscle, it is an intricate network of neurons that, similar to a muscle, need to be constantly challenged in order to grow and stay strong. In the brain’s case, this means forming connections with other brain cells.
These connections keep the brain cells healthy by increasing brain plasticity, which is your brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. Better brain plasticity has even been linked to higher resistance against the symptoms of Alzheimers and dementia, further reinforcing the age old saying, when it come to maintaining a healthy brain, use it or lose it!
Learning to play a musical instrument is a highly challenging activity akin to a full body workout. The harmonizing (pun intended) of your senses—vision, hearing, touch, and fine motor skills—creates lasting changes in your brain. In fact, music has been shown to be instrumental (yes, another pun) in forging increased connections between your left and right brain hemispheres.
The health benefits of lifelong learning manifest not only in an increased lifespan but in an increased healthspan, which is the measure of how many years during a person’s life they are considered to be in generally good health. Aging comes for us all, but by incorporating the lifelong project that is learning to play a musical instrument, you can both increase your years and your enjoyment of them.
Music & Mental Health
Speaking of enjoyment, it probably wouldn’t shock you to hear that music can have a big affect on your overall mood. Whether it’s the boost you get from your favorite song coming on the radio or the catharsis of scream-singing along to the saddest song you’ve ever heard, music plays a big part in increasing feelings of happiness and reducing stress.
This isn’t just limited to listening to music though. Playing an instrument can actually affect the natural healing processes in your body and your brain. Some studies even suggest that music reduces pain perception, in part because it interacts with the pathways used to process pain.
So, music not only increases dopamine and endorphins, but quite literally blocks mental and physical pain from affecting you with the same level of intensity.
The benefits of reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body cannot be understated. Increased levels of cortisol, especially when chronic, is responsible for higher blood pressure, worse sleep, inflammation, and a slew of other physical ailments that can decrease your lifespan when not dealt with properly.
Additionally, through the lifelong pursuit of learning to play an instrument, you have the power to shape your own brain development, and better regulate your emotions and behavior helping you build better habits in all aspects of your life.
Music & Purpose
One of the most profound ways learning music can have a lifelong impact is by contributing to a strong sense of purpose in your life, something Dr. Paige Baker-Braxton, a clinical psychologist, says can have a huge impact on your longevity.
Admittedly, learning to play an instrument can, at times, feel frustrating, especially as so many methods of teaching it rely heavily on repetition of the same song over and over until muscle memory prevails. This method unfortunately tends to increase the “ceiling” of songs one knows without increasing the “floor” of one’s skills.
However, music also offers you the chance to gain small wins. These small but mighty steps of progress contribute greatly to feelings of accomplishment, boosting your self-confidence and leading to greater overall satisfaction about your life.
At MuseFlow, we embrace the challenges that come with learning music while taking a unique approach to teaching. Instead of relying on repetition, our AI-driven piano learning app uses personalization to break down new skills into bite-size chunks that challenge you without being so frustrating that you want to throw in the towel.
So if you’re looking to increase brain plasticity, boost your mood, feel fueled by purpose, and actually live longer, why not give MuseFlow a try?
Sign up for your 7-day free trial and start your lifelong music-learning today!
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How to Play a MIDI Keyboard
A MIDI keyboard is very much like a piano or digital keyboard - they both have the same keyboard layout, and they can both play that classic “piano” sound. However, a MIDI keyboard can do much more than just let you play the piano! In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of MIDI keyboards and different use cases for playing them - DJs and music producers, composers, and finally music students.
Introduction
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is the instrument that translates a musical keystroke into 0s and 1s so a computer can interpret your actions. MIDI keyboards, or MIDI-compatible keyboards, are used by DJs and music producers as their main sound producting instrument. You can load many different sounds onto it - a grand piano, a synthesizer, strings, whatever you’d like - hook it up to your computer, and play those sounds as part of a larger whole.
MIDI Keyboard for Producers and DJ’s
Producers and DJs write their music in any number of DAWs out there - Digital Audio Workstations.
Typically, they use a MIDI keyboard to quickly play out different parts of a musical arrangement.
Use Case for Composing an Indie/Pop Tune in Logic Pro X
Instrumentation:
- Drums
- Electric Bass
- Piano Synth
- Lead Guitar
- Horns
- Set the Tempo:
- Set the tempo (speed of the song) in your DAW (Logic Pro X) for how fast you want it to be.
- Record the Electric Bass:
- You look through a bunch of electric bass sounds and find that you really like the Liverpool Bass sound, so you upload that to your DAW.
- Start recording and play the MIDI keyboard in that sound to the tempo you’ve set.
- Experiment by recording several takes until you find a groove you really like.
- Lay Down the Drums:
- Choose a drum kit SFX that you like and that maps well to your MIDI keyboard.
- Record the drum part by playing the keys on your MIDI keyboard associated with the drums or cymbals you want to include.
- This will take some experimentation so be patient! Enjoy the cacophony that comes with this percussion instrument. you’ll soon find a pattern you love.
- Record the Piano Synth:
- Browse through the synth sounds in Logic and try out a few until you find one that fits the vibe of your song.
- Record some simple synth chords. Keep it understated… the goal is to fill out the sound without drawing too much attention.
- Record the Lead Guitar and Horns:
- Find samples of a lead guitar and horns that you really like.
- Load them into your DAW… they’ll map to your keyboard.
- Play and record these parts in time with the rest of the instruments to complete the arrangement!
If you want to add vocals to this piece, write lyrics and come up with a melody. Consider different structures for your song. Repetition is key here. We as humans like to hear things a few times so we can really understand it.
MIDI Keyboards for Composers
If you’re looking to compose something that someone else will need to play, you’ll need to write it down on sheet music. The process is very similar to what DJs and producers do, but instead of a DAW, composers usually write their music in music notation software. They use a MIDI keyboard as their main instrument.
Use Case for Composing a Classical Piece in Sibelius
Instrumentation:
- Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)
- Flute
- Clarinet
- French Horn
- Timpani
- Set the Tempo and Time Signature:
- Open your music notation software (Sibelius) and set the tempo and time signature for your piece.
- Compose the String Section:
- Start with the strings (Violin, Viola, Cello).
- Choose a rich, warm string sound. Begin by notating the main harmonic structure with the Cello. Make sure there’s a solid bass line in there.
- Add the Violin melody, keeping it simple and lyrical. Then, fill in the Viola with harmony.
- All of these instruments will be on separate staves, so you’ll want to choose the orchestration template so you have all these instruments on one sheet of music.
- Experiment and Refine:
- Play back the string section to ensure it flows well. Make adjustments to the harmonies so it sounds good, then add dynamics, articulations, and phrasing to make it musical!
- Add Woodwinds (Flute & Clarinet):
- Add a Flute line… possibly doubling the Violin melody or adding a counter-melody.
- Introduce the Clarinet with supportive harmony or another counter-melody. Keep it light to complement the strings.
- Copy the dynamics you have for the strings. Make sure it all lines up nicely.
- Incorporate the French Horn:
- Notate the French Horn part. This adds warmth and depth to the harmony. The French Horn can also provide rhythmic support or reinforce the bass line with the Cello.
- Consider articulation here - A percussive articulation could be fun for rhythm, or a smooth, flowing articulation could be nice for a more lyrical interpretation.
- Compose the Percussion (Timpani):
- Add the Timpani to provide rhythmic structure and emphasize key moments. Keep it subtle; the Timpani is there to support, not dominate. Unless you want it to dominate :).
- Playback and Adjust:
- Listen to the piece with all the instruments together. Fine-tune the dynamics, articulation… balance between the sections to ensure each instrument's role is clear.
- Finalize the Score:
- Review the entire score, ensuring all notation is correct. Play along with it on your MIDI keyboard so you can be sure it’s exactly the way you want it to sound. Double-check that all dynamics and expression markings are consistent throughout the piece.
- Export and Share:
- Export the score as a PDF and, if needed, as MIDI or audio files. Share the sheet music with performers or collaborators!
MIDI Keyboards for Piano Students
Whether you’re a beginner or expert, there are piano learning software options out there for everyone. You can use your MIDI keyboard to learn piano. Let’s map the same process above to setting up your keyboard and computer and using one of the best piano learning software out there, MuseFlow.
Use Case for Learning Piano with MuseFlow
Equipment:
- Computer (laptop or desktop)
- MIDI Keyboard
- USB/MIDI Cable (compatible for both your keyboard and computer)
- Chrome or Edge Browser
- Set Up Your Equipment:
- Turn your computer is on.
- Connect your MIDI keyboard to the computer using your USB/MIDI cable.
- Make sure the cable is compatible with your keyboard and computer.
- Open MuseFlow in Chrome or Edge:
- Go to http://museflow.ai.
- Sign up for MuseFlow.
- Make Sure Your MIDI Keyboard is Connected:
- Go through the welcome flow and get to the roadmap.
- Try to play a few notes and make sure they come out of your speakers.
- If not, go to the settings and ensure that “device speakers” is toggled on.
- Choose a Level Where Your Skill Matches the Challenge:
- Find the level that fits your skill level.
- Look at the preview images of the music in the levels and see what you can play.
- Try a Few Levels:
- Go through the tutorial, and play along with the music.
- Start the level, and play through a few bars. If it’s too easy for you, try another level.
- NOTE: The first tier of each level is easier than the later ones, so you may want to play the full level to see if it’s a good place to start for you.
- Continue From There:
- Once you’ve found the level that’s right for your skills, go ahead and pass that level, then move on to the next!
- The tiers/levels should be fairly easy to start, then get harder as you go along.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a producer, DJ, composer, or music student, MIDI keyboards are the perfect instrument for you to play. See the above step-by-step guides to see how you can use your keyboard in each scenario. Keep rocking it, and we’ll see you on the next one!
Curious about whether MuseFlow is right for you? With a MIDI keyboard and a computer, you can try it out at beta.museflow.ai. We can’t wait to hear your feedback as we make music education available and engaging for everyone!
How to Refine Your Piano Skills with MuseFlow
Whether you’re an intermediate pianist looking to reach the next level or an advanced player aiming for perfection, refining your piano skills is a continuous and rewarding journey! With the right new tools and guidance, you can easily enhance your technique in 2024 with MuseFlow. It also helps you expand your repertoire, and deepen your musical understanding. Read below to find out how MuseFlow will help you refine your piano skills effectively.
Start using MuseFlow for free now!
1. Personalized Practice Plans
MuseFlow has the ability to create personalized practice plans tailored to your specific needs. The app uses advanced AI technology to assess your current skill level and identify areas for improvement. Based on this unique assessment, the best free piano app offers a customized practice schedule that focuses on really refining your technique and addressing any weaknesses.
Why it matters? Personalized practice plans really make sure that you spend your practice time efficiently. Instead of working on one generic exercise or song after the other (the old-school way), you’ll be focusing in on the areas that need the most attention, allowing for faster and more targeted improvement. This is the fastest way to learn at a higher pace.
2. Real-Time Feedback and Error Correction
Refining your piano skills requires immediate & accurate feedback on your performance. MuseFlow provides real-time feedback as you play, helping you correct mistakes and perfect your technique on the spot. The app carefully listens to your playing and, with AI, analyzes your notes and timing, offering instant corrections and suggestions for improvement.. AI has the power to find errors and patterns in your playing that a human wouldn't be able to find on the spot.
Why it matters? Real-time feedback helps you develop good habits and avoid reinforcing mistakes. This instant guidance is crucial for refining your skills, ensuring that you’re practicing correctly and making the most of your practice sessions.
3. Advanced Exercises and Techniques
MuseFlow offers a wide range of advanced exercises & techniques designed to challenge and refine your piano skills. From complex scales and arpeggios to intricate finger exercises and advanced pieces, the app provides a comprehensive set of tools to help you push your limits and achieve new levels of proficiency.
Why it matters? Access to advanced exercises and techniques allows you to continually challenge yourself and prevent stagnation. By tackling more difficult material, you can expand your technical abilities and enhance your overall musicianship...if you're still asking yourself, how do I refine my piano skills? Then you've found the answer.
4. Achieving the Flow State - You'll Love it
One of the key aspects of refining your piano skills is achieving a state of flow—where you are fully immersed and focused on your practice. MuseFlow is designed to help you reach this optimal learning state by providing just the right level of challenge. The app adapts to your progress, ensuring that each exercise is neither too easy nor too difficult, keeping you engaged and motivated.
Why it matters? Being in a flow state makes practice sessions more productive and enjoyable. When you’re fully engaged, you’re more likely to retain information and improve your skills. This goes for learning and refining any skill. MuseFlow’s ability to get you in this special state helps you get the most out of your practice time. You will love it! It will feel like time is just passing by without you noticing.
5. Extensive Music Library
The best piano lessons app has an extensive music library which is another powerful tool for refining your piano skills. The app offers a large selection of pieces across various genres and at every difficulty level. This really allows you to explore new styles and expand your repertoire. Thanks to AI this is now possible and will help you have more fun while learning. Each piece is accompanied by detailed tutorials and practice tips to help you master it.
Why it matter? A diverse repertoire is essential for any pianist looking to refine their skills. By playing a wide range of music, you can develop versatility and adaptability, which are crucial for advanced musicianship. MuseFlow’s library ensures that you always have new and exciting pieces to learn.
Conclusion
Refining your piano skills is a continuous journey. It requires dedication, the right tools, and effective guidance! MuseFlow really stands out as the ideal companion for this special journey, offering personalized practice plans, real-time feedback, advanced exercises, and a supportive community. Whether you’re aiming to perfect your technique, expand your repertoire, or achieve new and better levels of playing and sight reading, MuseFlow provides the resources and support you need to succeed.
Start refining your piano skills with MuseFlow today and experience the difference that advanced technology and personalized learning can make. We promise you will love it!
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